By: Ed Szmul

NYS Code Enforcement Officials (CEO's) are required to take 24 hours of in-service training annually to maintain their certification.  However, per Title 19 NYCRR, Part 434.5(a)(2)(iii), "a code enforcement official who attains professional certification from the International Code Council . . . . shall be deemed to satisfy the annual in-service training requirement for the calendar year in which such professional certification was obtained".

As a result, the NYS Department of State will accept ICC certifications in one of approximately thirty categories.  See http://www.dos.state.ny.us/code/icccertif.html for the complete list.

To fulfill the requirement, one must select a category, schedule, and ultimately pass the test.  Scheduling the test may be done online through a link to Pearson VUE Testing from the ICC web site (which is linked from the NYS DOS web site).  If the test is taken electronically, you are notified immediately after taking the test whether you passed.  If you pass, you will be issued a certificate.

A copy (or 'pdf') of the certificate should be emailed to codes@dos.state.ny.us, along with your address, telephone number, NYS Training ID number, and FDID Municipal Code number (if available).  The Training ID and Municipal Code numbers can be found on the wallet card you were issued when you became a CEO.

While the tests are certainly not "easy" (I took the Plumbing Plans Examiner), they are passable with adequate review time.  The review time will vary with each individual, but it is assumed that most people could pass a test with less than 24 hours of study.

So, if finding 24 hours for In-Service training is proving difficult with your schedule, consider taking an ICC Certification test instead.  Visit the link above for additional information.  Good luck!

Ed Szmul