OAR 918-695-0400: Rules Establishing Certification for Plumbing Inspectors

(1) Scope. To promote effective and uniform enforcement of the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code by improving the competence of plumbing inspectors, this rule establishes minimum training and experience qualifications to make inspections for compliance with the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code. Rules regarding the scope of work, qualifications, practicum and examinations for plumbing inspectors must be approved by the State Plumbing Board. (2) Notwithstanding OAR 918-098-1210, a residential plumbing inspector: (a) May conduct inspections for plumbing work regulated by the Oregon Residential Specialty Code, and where connection to the building is not a separate plumbing system; and (A) Plumbing work on manufactured dwellings, manufactured structure accessory buildings and structures under the Oregon Manufactured Dwelling Installation Specialty Code; (B) The provisions of OAR chapter 918, division 500; (C) The Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards located in 24 CFR 3280 and 3282; and (D) Any portion of a solar water heating system installation up to 180 gallons of storage tank capacity. (b) To qualify to take a board approved exam to become a residential plumbing inspector, a person must meet one of the following: (A) Be an Oregon journeyman plumber; (B) A certificate of completion from an apprenticeship program meeting the equivalency requirements of OAR 918-695-0030, plus two years experience as a licensed journeyman plumber; (C) Be a licensed journeyman plumber and have four years experience as a licensed journeyman plumber; (D) Have six years experience as a residential or commercial plumbing inspector possessing a nationally recognized certification or its equivalent; or (E) Successfully complete the division’s board approved residential plumbing inspector practicum; (c) To receive a certification under this rule, the person must successfully pass the board approved examination with a minimum grade of 75 percent. (3) A Plumbing Specialty Code Inspector: (a) Inspects plumbing installations regulated by the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code; (b) Inspects plumbing installations regulated by the Oregon Residential Specialty Code; and (c) May do plumbing plan reviews as provided in OAR 918-780-0040. (4) To qualify to take a board approved exam to become a plumbing specialty code inspector, a person must meet one of the following: (a) Oregon journeyman experience: (A) Four years of employment and experience as an Oregon journeyman plumber; or (B) Two years of employment and experience as an Oregon journeyman plumber, plus successful completion of the division’s board approved commercial plumbing inspector practicum; (b) Out of state journeyman experience: (A) A certificate of completion from an apprenticeship program meeting the equivalency requirements of OAR 918-695-0030, plus four years experience as a journeyman plumber working on commercial, industrial, or multi-family structures; or (B) Be a licensed journeyman plumber, plus eight years experience as a licensed journeyman plumber working on commercial, industrial, or multi-family structures, plus successful completion of the division’s board approved commercial plumbing inspector practicum; (c) Out of state inspection experience: (A) 10 years of work experience in the inspection of plumbing installations of which at least five years is of commercial, industrial, or multi-family structures as a certified inspector possessing a nationally recognized certification or its equivalent; or (B) Eight years of work experience in the inspection of plumbing installations of which at least four years is of commercial, industrial, or multi-family structures as a certified inspector possessing a nationally recognized certification or its equivalent plus successful completion of the division’s board approved commercial plumbing inspector practicum; (d) Engineer experience: (A) A degree in mechanical engineering with two years of work experience in plumbing design, installation, or inspection; or (B) Be a certified professional mechanical engineer. (e) Experience and training equivalent to paragraphs (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this subsection as determined by the State Plumbing Board; (f) Persons certified as Oregon one- and two-family dwelling plumbing inspectors as of April 1, 1998, and completing five years of plumbing inspection experience are considered qualified to sit for examinations as a plumbing inspector. (g) Examination: To become certified, a person qualified under subsection (4) of this rule must pass a board approved examination with a minimum score of 75 percent on the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code covering plumbing theory, inspection techniques, communication skills, public relations, design, installation, statutory rules, authority, and materials. (5) Limited Plumbing Inspector - Building Sewers. Limited certification for plumbing inspection of building sewers from five feet outside the building to the disposal terminal or connection with a main sewer line may be issued. To be certified, an applicant must have the following qualifications: (a) A Journeyman Plumber License; (b) Two years experience in sewer design, installation, or inspection; or (c) Experience and training equivalent to paragraph (A) or (B) of this subsection approved by the board; and (d) Passing a board approved examination with a minimum score of 75 percent on code, materials, and installation practices for building sewers and sewers. (6) Limits on Municipalities. Nothing in the rules prohibits a local government from establishing additional requirements in the selection and hiring of plumbing inspectors. (7) Plumbing inspectors must meet continuing education requirements established by the division under OAR 918-098-1450. (8) Application for Certification. A person seeking certification under this rule must apply for an Oregon Code Certification as provided in OAR 918-098-1025. (9) A person issued a plumbing specialty code inspector certification, a residential plumbing inspector certification, or a limited plumbing inspector-building sewers certification under this rule must also possess a valid Oregon Inspector Certification issued under OAR 918-098-1025 prior to performing plumbing inspections or plan reviews. (10) For purposes of this rule, one year of experience is equal to 2,000 hours. [Publications: Publications referenced are available from the agency.]