Section 305.315. Dwelling contractor qualifier.

 

(1)   General. The purpose of the dwelling contractor qualifier certification is to provide proof of fulfilling the continuing education obligations to the issuers of building permits as required under s. 101.654 (1) (a) , Stats.

(2)   Application. A person applying for a dwelling contractor qualifier certification shall submit all of the following:

(a) An application in accordance with s. SPS 305.01 .

(b) An application fee and a certification fee in accordance with s. SPS 305.02 , Table 305.02.

(c) Evidence that the person has completed at least 12 hours in an approved course in dwelling construction within one year prior to the date of application. The course shall include instruction in at least the following subject matter and one or more tests on at least the following subject matter:

1. Construction laws

2. Construction codes.

3. Construction business practices.

(3)   Renewal.

(a)

1. A person may renew his or her certification as a dwelling contractor qualifier.

2. A dwelling contractor qualifier certification shall be renewed in accordance with s. SPS 305.07 .

(b) The renewal of a certification as a dwelling contractor qualifier shall be contingent upon the individual completing at least 12 hours of approved continuing education prior to the expiration of the certification as specified in s. SPS 305.08 and Table 305.06, except as provided in sub. (5) .

(c) Continuing education shall be obtained through any of the following means:

1. Attending seminars, corporate in-house courses, workshops, or professional or technical presentations made at meetings, conventions, or conferences meeting the requirements of sub. (4) . Attendance may be in person or via remote classroom where a provider is available to participate to comment and answer questions.

2. Teaching a continuing education program that meets the requirements of sub. (4) . A person who teaches may only receive credit for the initial offering or presentation of a course or program during a biennium.

3. Participating in continuing education program that does not meet in person that meets the requirements of sub. (4) including the completion of interactive short courses or tutorials, delivery of educational programs and courses on CD-ROM or the Internet, webinars, or correspondence courses.

4. Attending technical or professional society meetings that meet the requirements of sub. (4) . A maximum of 6 hours per biennial renewal cycle may be counted toward continuing education requirements.

(d) Each certification holder shall retain evidence of compliance with continuing education requirements in accordance with s. SPS 305.08 (2) .

(4)   Standards for continuing education. Only courses, programs, meetings, and seminars approved by the department in accordance with s. SPS 305.08 shall be used to fulfill continuing education requirements for renewal of a dwelling contractor qualifier certification. Continuing education shall meet all of the following criteria:

(a) Include instruction in an organized method of learning contributing directly to the professional competency of the certification holder and pertaining to subject matters that integrally relate to the practice of the profession. The instruction shall include amplification, evaluation, examples, and explanation of the course subject matter to the certification holder.

(b) Be conducted by individuals or entities which have specialized education, training, or experience in the subject matter of the program.

(c) Include at least 10 review questions for each credit hour if the continuing education credit is obtained through distance education as specified in sub. (3) (c) 3. The department may require submittal of the review questions for approval.

(d) Include at least 30 questions for each credit hour if the continuing education course, program, or seminar is predominantly question-and-answer based. A minimum score of 70 percent is required to receive continuing education credit. The department may require submittal of the questions for approval.

(e) Include any of the following content:

1. Construction laws and codes.

2. Construction safety topics that are directly related to operating a residential construction business.

3. Business management, estimating, and job costing.

4. Changes in construction and business management laws.

5. Design and building science.

6. Contracts, liability, and risk management.

7. Marketing and sales topics regarding the provision of accurate and ethical information to the customer.

8. Project management, personnel management, and scheduling.

9. Carpentry, concrete, swimming pool installation, damp proofing a basement, excavation, insulation work, masonry work, painting and decorating, roofing, siding and gutters, screen or storm sash installation, tile and marble work, or house wrecking.

10. Accounting, finance, and taxes.

11. Communication and customer service.

12. Environmental or land use analysis.

13. Zoning and governance policies and procedures.

14. Mold, lead, asbestos, or other hazardous material mitigation.

15. Energy codes and energy conservation methods applicable to residential structures.

16. Other subject matter approved by the department.

(5)   Waiver. A person who holds a certification as a dwelling contractor qualifier may apply to the department for waiver of the continuing education requirements under sub. (3) (b) on the grounds of prolonged illness or disability or similar circumstances. Each application for waiver shall be considered individually on its merits by the department.

CR 07-007 : cr. Register August 2007 No. 620 , eff. 9-1-07; CR 11-020 : r. (2) (c) (intro.), 2., renum. (2) (c) 1. to be (2) (c), correction in (2) (a), (b), (3) (a) 2., (b) 1. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7. , Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672 ; CR 14-010 : renum. (3) (b) 1., 2. to (3) (b), (5) and am. (b), cr. (3) (c), (d), (4) Register August 2014 No. 704 , eff. 9-1-14; correction in (5) (title) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 2. , Stats., Register August 2014 No. 704 , eff. 9-1-14; correction in (5) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7. , Stats., Register July 2015 No. 715 .