Senate Bill 155, from the recently adjourned 2011 Legislative Session, paved the way for the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) to adopt temporary rules exempting certain contractors from some of the Residential Continuing Education (RCE) core requirements.
Contractors that have an electrical or plumbing license through the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Building Codes Division, are exempt from the three hours in Building Exterior Shell Training (BEST) and the two hour requirement in building codes.
In addition, contractors who have an owner or officer licensed as an architect or a professional engineer are exempt from the BEST and building codes requirement.
Exempted contractors must substitute the five exempted hours with five elective hours.
Residential contractors must begin to demonstrate compliance with continuing education with license renewals on or after October 1, 2011.
For more information on continuing education visit the CCB website at:
The CCB is a state agency licensing more than 39,000 contractors. Anyone who is paid to repair, improve or build a home must be licensed by the CCB. Information is also available by calling 503-378-4621.
Why are electrical and plumbing contractors exempt and tree companies are not? This whole thing was not very well thought through. I have not taken code yet but have filled all of the other hours. I still do not see why this even applies to us.
Unfortunately, the decision was made by CCB, not the HBA. Consequently, we are simply taking the steps necessary to ensure we are offering the classes people need to fulfill the requirements. We have a Codes class coming up on Sept 23 that could help you complete your requirements. Please contact Education Coordinator Shaina Sullivan at 503-684-1880 or shainas@hbapdx.org for more details.
So what are the elective courses for the required hours
Please contact our Education Coordinator Shaina Sullivan at shainas@hbapdx.org or 503-684-1880.