ORS 455.732 Certification of inspectors to perform duties in building code administrative regions; training program recognition

As used in this section, “building code administrative region” means a region established by the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services under ORS 455.042 for the uniform administration of the state building code.

The authority of the director under ORS 455.720 and 455.723 to specify terms, conditions and classifications for the certification of inspectors includes the authority to certify an inspector to perform inspections under multiple specialty codes or parts of a specialty code.

The director may provide for an inspector who is likely to be employed or otherwise authorized within a specific building code administrative region to be certified to perform inspections throughout a building code administrative region, whether within or outside of a municipality. The director may recognize any training program certified by the director under ORS 455.723 or 455.725 for purposes of certifying an inspector to perform inspections throughout a building code administrative region. This subsection does not require a municipality administering and enforcing a building inspection program under ORS 455.148 or 455.150 to allow an inspector certified under this subsection who is not employed or otherwise authorized by the municipality to perform building inspections on behalf of the municipality.

In determining the appropriate experience, training or other qualifications for an inspector under ORS 455.720 or 455.723, the director shall consult with the appropriate advisory boards. The factors to be considered by the director may include, but need not be limited to:

Any factors specific to, or of particular relevance to, a specialty code or to the types of buildings, structures, systems or equipment in a geographic area that are inspected under the specialty code;

Staffing levels or other specific criteria for building inspection programs established by a municipality within which the inspector is likely to be employed or otherwise authorized to perform inspections, or for building inspection programs established by the director; and

Any factors specific to, or of particular relevance to, the building code administrative region within which the inspector is likely to be employed or otherwise authorized to perform inspections.

In determining the scope of certifications and qualifications for an inspector, the director may utilize field training equivalency, independent evaluations or other methods the director deems appropriate.