The Florida Senate

553.841  Building code training program; participant competency requirements.--

(1)  The Legislature finds that the effectiveness of the building codes of this state depends on the performance of all participants, as demonstrated through knowledge of the codes and commitment to compliance with code directives and that to strengthen compliance by industry and enforcement by government, a Building Code Training Program is needed.

(2)  The commission shall establish by rule the Building Code Training Program to develop and provide a core curriculum and advance module courses relating to the Florida Building Code and a system of administering and enforcing the Florida Building Code.

(3)  The program shall be developed, implemented, and administered by the commission in consultation with the Department of Education, the Department of Community Affairs, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the State Fire Marshal, the State University System, and the Division of Community Colleges.

(4)  The commission may enter into contracts with the Department of Education, the State University System, the Division of Community Colleges, model code organizations, professional organizations, career centers, trade organizations, and private industry to administer the program.

(5)  The program shall be affordable, accessible, meaningful, financially self-sufficient and shall make maximum use of existing sources, systems, institutions, and programs available through private sources.

(6)  The commission, in coordination with the Department of Community Affairs, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the respective licensing boards, and the State Fire Marshal shall develop or cause to be developed:

(a)  A core curriculum which is prerequisite to all specialized and advanced module coursework.

(b)  A set of specialized and advanced modules specifically designed for use by each profession.

(7)  The core curriculum shall cover the information required to have all categories of participants appropriately informed as to their technical and administrative responsibilities in the effective execution of the code process by all individuals currently licensed under part XII of chapter 468, chapter 471, chapter 481, or chapter 489, except as otherwise provided in s. 471.017 The core curriculum shall be prerequisite to the advanced module coursework for all licensees and shall be completed by individuals licensed in all categories under part XII of chapter 468, chapter 471, chapter 481, or chapter 489 within the first 2-year period after establishment of the program. Core course hours taken by licensees to complete this requirement shall count toward fulfillment of required continuing education units under part XII of chapter 468, chapter 471, chapter 481, or chapter 489.

(8)  The commission, in consultation with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the respective licensing boards, shall develop or cause to be developed an equivalency test for each category of licensee. Such test may be taken in lieu of the core curriculum. A passing score on the test shall be equivalent to completion of the core curriculum and shall be credited toward the required number of hours of continuing education.

(9)  The commission, in consultation with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, shall develop or cause to be developed, or approve as a part of the program, a core curriculum and specialized or advanced module coursework for the construction workforce, including, but not limited to, superintendents and journeymen.

(10)  The respective state boards under part XII of chapter 468, chapters 471, 481, and 489, and the State Fire Marshal under chapter 633, shall require specialized or advanced course modules as part of their regular continuing education requirements.

(11)  The Legislature hereby establishes the Office of Building Code Training Program Administration within the Institute of Applied Technology in Construction Excellence at the Florida Community College at Jacksonville. The office is charged with the following responsibilities as recommended by the Florida Building Commission and as resources are provided by the Legislature:

(a)  Provide research-to-practice capability for entry-level construction training development, delivery and quality assurance, as well as training and competency registry systems and recruitment initiatives.

(b)  Coordinate with the Department of Community Affairs and the Florida Building Commission to serve as school liaison to disseminate construction awareness and promotion programs and materials to schools.

(c)  Develop model programs and approaches to construction career exploration to promote construction careers.

History.--s. 52, ch. 98-287; s. 89, ch. 2000-141; s. 59, ch. 2004-357.