Contact Tri-Lakes for a schedule of Continuing Competency classes being held 989-275-3333 or email at:  trilakes@charter.net

 Increasing Professionalism:  (Licensing in effect:  June 1, 2008)

Q. I’m applying for my license for the first time.  Can I take the 4-hour course advertised in the newspapers? 

A. No. You have to successfully complete 60 hours of pre-licensure education courses before you will be allowed to take the test. 

Q. What do I have to study? 

A. At least six hours in each of the following areas of competency: Business management, Estimating, and job costing; Design and building science; Contracts, liability, and risk management; Marketing and sales; Project management and scheduling; the current Michigan Residential Code and Construction safety standards promulgated under the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act. Each class would have to be approved by the Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG).  Education courses offered as a part of the National Association of Home Builder’s University of Housing curriculum are already approved by the law.  

Q. Who will offer these courses? 

A. BEST of Michigan, high schools, intermediate school districts, community colleges, universities, trade associations and proprietary schools approved by DLEG can offer these courses as can some agencies in state government including the Bureau of Construction Codes and the Michigan Occupational Healthy and Safety Administration. 

Q. Once I have my license what do I need to do to keep it?

A.  That depends on how long you’ve had it. For the first six years you’re licensed you’ll  have to successfully complete at least three hours of activities demonstrating continuing competency each calendar year, during the first six years of licensure, and a total of 21 hours per three-year time period since the issuance of your license. At least three hours would have to be devoted to activities designed to develop your understanding of and ability to apply state building codes and laws relating to the licensed occupation, safety, and changes in construction and business management laws. You’ll also need to always have a copy of the current edition of the Michigan Residential Code. 

Q. Is “continuing competency” the same thing as “continuing education?” 

A.  No. While taking approved courses or participating in distance learning are two ways of showing continuing competency, some other ways you can also show continuing competency are through comprehensive testing, participation in mentoring programs, participation in International Codes Council code hearings, publication of articles in a trade journal or regional magazine and serving as a lecturer or discussion leader in an approved educational course. These methods must be approved by DLEG and records of the activities must be kept by the licensee for 5 years.