PROPOSED RULES
TRADE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 02-15-100.
Title of Rule: Manufactured home installer certification program. New WAC 365-210-061, 365-210-062, 365-210-063, and 365-210-090 through 365-210-190. Also included are amendments to WAC 365-210-030 Definitions and 365-210-060 Fees.
Purpose: Rules are necessary to continue development of the manufactured home installer training and certification program. Specifically, rule will clarify application process and fees, define criteria for approving alternative education providers, establish a system for monitoring installations through a serialized installer tag program, and clarify chapter 43.63B RCW as far as homeowners performing work on their own home.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 43.63B.005, [43.63B.]020, [43.63B.]040, [43.63B.]060, [43.63B.]035, [43.63B.]090, and [43.63B.]800, 43.330.040.
Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 43.63B RCW, Mobile and manufactured home installation -- Installer certification.
Summary: Rules have been developed to meet statutory requirements for approving alternative education provider and to enhance program efficiency, clarify processes, and add greater responsibilities for home installers to the consumers they serve. New serialized installer tags will allows monitoring of installation quality and effectiveness of certification program.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: New and amended rules will allow continued development of the installer certification program, enhance quality of home installations and will establish a fee for new revenue that will allow monitoring of installation quality and problem installers, ensure homeowner protection and improve product satisfaction.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Cindy LaRose/Teri Ramsauer, P.O. Box 48350, Olympia, WA 98504-8350, 725-2957/725-2960.
Name of Proponent: Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, governmental.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: Rules are required to establish and administer a process to approve alternative educational providers, develop criteria for continuing education, and clarify the application process. In addition, rules will establish a tracking system to monitor manufactured home installations, installation locations, establish criteria for fees and a reporting format.
Anticipated Effects Include:
• Improve manufactured home installations to protect homeowner investment and maximize home durability.
• Establish a process and source of revenue to allow the department to monitor the quality of manufactured home installations and identify, educate and train installers who perform inadequate home installations.
• Establish continuing education requirements that meet current statutory requirements.
• Expand opportunities for private sector/state partnerships for providing a training curriculum and continuing education.
• Increase compliance with state certification requirements.
• Simplify installer verification process for local governments (required by law to inspect manufactured homes and ensure installation is performed by a certified installer.)
• Increased program efficiencies.
Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: WAC 365-210-030, adding two new definitions, and 365-210-060, changes existing language to clarify application process.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Adoption of these rules will not impose more than minor costs on small businesses as installer would be charged a $7 tag fee for installing a manufactured home. Average installation costs to homeowners range from $3,500 for a single-wide home to $8,000 for a multi-wide home and over $10,000 for a multi-section home utilizing special earthquake-resistant foundation systems. Installers are primarily hired through home retailers, licensed by the Department of Licensing similar to auto retailers. Research and guidelines used to make this determination included: Consultation with Attorney General's Office to obtain a threshold guideline of $50.00, distribution of draft WAC language to stakeholder work groups that included retailers, installers, state agencies, local building officials and inspectors. The model for the tag fee and process is from the State of Oregon who currently charges $8 per tag.
RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. By RCW definition this rule adoption is not a "significant legislative rule." In addition, Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development is not listed as one of the agencies required to comply with this RCW.
Hearing Location: Best Western Airport Executel, 30727 International Boulevard, Lower Level Conference Room, SeaTac, WA 98298, on January 7, 2003, at 4-7 p.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Cindy LaRose, 725-2957, by ten days prior to hearing.
Submit Written Comments to: CTED/OCD, Office of Manufactured Housing, P.O. Box 48350, Olympia, WA 98504-8350, fax (360) 586-5880, by January 7, 2003.
Date of Intended Adoption: January 7, 2003.
November 19, 2002
Martha Choe
Director
OTS-5976.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 95-14-121, filed 6/30/95,
effective 7/1/95)
WAC 365-210-030
Definitions.
The following definitions
shall apply to this chapter and to chapter 43.63B RCW:
(1) "Extension of the pressure relief valve for the water heater" means extension to the outside of the home as described in the Uniform Plumbing Code.
(2) "Manufactured home," in addition to the definition provided in RCW 43.63B.010(5) means mobile home as defined in RCW 43.63B.010(8).
(3) "Mobile or manufactured home installation" does not include installation of electrical wires and equipment that convey electrical power to the home or to an outlet in the home, and does not include the ground crossover. Installation of electrical wires and equipment that convey electrical power to the home or to an outlet in the home must be performed by a journeyman or specialty electrician as defined in chapter 19.28 RCW. Equipment does not include plug-in household appliances.
(4) "Other equivalent experience" means six months of hands-on experience installing manufactured homes under the guidance of a reputable, recognized manufactured home installer; or two years experience in residential construction.
(5) "Site" means the parcel of land designed to accommodate the dwelling and auxiliary structures.
(6) "May not," for the purposes of this chapter and as used in chapter 43.63B RCW, when used in reference to a particular act or action means the act or action is not allowed or not permitted.
(7) "Department" means the department of community, trade, and economic development.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.63B RCW. 95-14-121, § 365-210-030, filed 6/30/95, effective 7/1/95.]
(2) The fee for the training program, including the cost of one copy of the training manual, shall be $100.00. The cost for the examination and certification shall be $100.00. The fee for renewal of the certificate after three years, including retaking the examination, shall be $100.
(3) An applicant whose application is found to be ineligible or inadequate shall be entitled to a full refund, and shall be notified by the department of such ineligibility or inadequacy at least 20 days prior to the examination. If a late application is received and found to be inadequate, the department shall make its best effort to notify the applicant prior to the examination.
(4) An applicant who fails the examination shall not be entitled to a refund.
(5) Individuals will be allowed to audit the training program and not take the examination. The audit fee shall be $100.00
(6) The department shall make extra copies of the training manual available on request for a fee designed to cover costs.
(7) Fees due at the time of certification must be paid in full in order for the department to issue the certificate.)) A person desiring to be certified as a manufactured home installer under RCW 43.63B.020 must first file with the department an application on a form prescribed by the department.
(1) The application must be accompanied by the application fee specified in WAC 365-210-063.
(2) The application must be completed in full and must be signed by the person applying for certification.
(3) The application must contain the full name and Social Security number of the person applying for certification. Social Security numbers are required on applications for professional licenses pursuant to RCW 26.23.150 and federal law PL 104-193, The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.
(4) Any application received after the class cut-off date is subject to the late application fee specified in WAC 365-210-063. An application will be accepted at any scheduled training or certification exam provided classroom space is available and the application is accompanied by the application fee and late application fee specified in WAC 365-210-063.
(5) If the application is denied by the department as a result of the applicant's failure to meet the requirements of chapter 43.63B RCW and this chapter, the department will attempt to notify the applicant prior to the date the applicant is scheduled to attend the training and examination.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.63B RCW. 95-14-121, § 365-210-060, filed 6/30/95, effective 7/1/95.]
(1) The department will offer continuing education classes every three years beginning January 2004.
Example: Continuing education classes will be offered in the years 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, etc.
(2) Continuing education class curriculum will include statute, code, or rule changes and common installation problems.
(3) If a certified installer is unable to attend the continuing education classes offered by the department or alternative education provider, the installer may attend a regularly scheduled installer certification training course.
[]
(1) The recertification application must be hand-delivered to the department or postmarked no later than midnight on the date of expiration of an installer's current certification.
(2) The recertification application must be accompanied by the recertification fee specified in WAC 365-210-063.
(3) If a certified installer fails to apply for recertification prior to the expiration of the installer's current certification, the installer must reapply for installer certification and meet all requirements for installer certification as set forth in chapter 43.63B RCW and this chapter.
(4) Before a new certification is issued, the certified installer must provide proof to the department that the certified installer has met the continuing education requirements set forth in this chapter.
(5) The department will attempt to notify installers prior to expiration; however, it is the installer's responsibility to ensure timely recertification.
[]
| Training and certification | $200.00 |
| Training only | $100.00 |
| Late application | $20.00 |
| Recertification | $100.00 |
| Continuing education class | $40.00 |
| First retake | $0.00 |
| Subsequent retakes | $30.00 |
| Manufactured home installer certification manual | $10.00 |
| Installer certification tag | $7.00 |
(2) If an applicant has paid fees to attend training or to take an examination and is unable to attend the scheduled training or examination, the applicant may:
(a) Change to another scheduled training and examination; or
(b) Request a refund.
(3) An applicant who fails the examination shall not be entitled to a refund.
[]
[]
On-site work and equipment installation work may not be performed until a permit for such work has been issued by the local enforcement agency. On-site work and equipment installation work must be inspected upon completion by the local enforcement agency in the same manner initial home installations are inspected.
On-site work and equipment installation work include, but are not limited to:
(1) Releveling a home such as installing all new pier blocks or footings;
(2) Complete skirting replacement;
(3) Installing earthquake resistant bracing systems; and
(4) Any other work described in RCW 43.63B.010(6).
On-site work and equipment installation work does not include routine maintenance or other routine repairs such as periodic adjustments to piers, replacement of a damaged pier, or skirting repair.
[]
(2) The installation, on-site work or equipment installation work must be performed in compliance with chapter 296-150M WAC, Washington installation code.
(3) If the owner of a manufactured home hires any individual or business to assist the owner in the installation, on-site work or equipment installation work, a certified installer is required to be on-site supervising such work and must meet all the requirements of this chapter.
(4) For the purposes of this chapter, an "owner" of a manufactured home does not include a manufactured home dealer, distributor, park owner or manager, or developer who installs or performs on-site work or equipment installation work on a manufactured home intended for resale or rental.
[]
[]
(1) Ensure all phases of the installation work performed by the installer or crew being supervised are complete and in compliance with chapter 296-150M WAC, Washington installation code;
(2) Notify the local enforcement agency upon completion of the installation work; and
(3) Correct all nonconforming aspects of the installation identified by the local enforcement agency or by an authorized representative of the department within thirty days of issuance of notice of the same.
[]
Homeowners performing the installation, on-site work or equipment installation work on their own manufactured home are not required to acquire and affix an installer certification tag.
(1) Installer certification tags may only be purchased by a certified manufactured home installer or by a manufactured home retailer licensed by Washington state department of licensing.
(a) The certified manufactured home installer or manufactured home retailer purchasing the installer certification tag is responsible for complying with the security, use, and reporting requirements of this chapter.
(b) Manufactured home retailers may purchase installer certification tags in bulk and issue them to certified manufactured home installers employed by the manufactured home retailer.
(2) In order to purchase installer certification tags, the certified manufactured home installer or manufactured home retailer shall submit an application to the department or local enforcement agency on a form approved by the department. The application shall be accompanied by the appropriate installer certification tag fee as set forth in WAC 365-210-063.
(3) The department or manufactured home retailer may issue a maximum of thirty certification tags to a certified manufactured home installer. A certified manufactured home installer may not have more than thirty installer certification tags issued at any one time for which the reporting requirements of this section have not been met.
(4) Installer certification tags shall not be transferred or assigned without the written approval of the department. Fees paid for installer certification tags are not refundable.
(a) If a certified manufactured home installer's certification is suspended, revoked, or expires, all unused installer certification tags assigned to the certified manufactured home installer shall be returned to the department.
(b) If a certified manufactured home installer or manufactured home retailer ceases to do business, all unused installer certification tags shall be returned to the department.
(c) If a manufactured home retailer changes ownership, unused installer certification tags may be transferred to the new ownership if the department approves the transfer following receipt of a written request for transfer from the manufactured home retailer.
(5) Issuance of installer certification tags may be denied if:
(a) The certified manufactured home installer's certification has been revoked or suspended pursuant to chapter 43.63B RCW;
(b) The certified manufactured home installer has failed to comply with the reporting requirements of this chapter;
(c) The department has evidence that the certified manufactured home installer has misused the installer certification tag by not complying with the requirements of this chapter; or
(d) The certified manufactured home installer possesses installer certification tags in excess of the quantity authorized by subsection (3) of this section for which the reporting requirements of this chapter have not been met.
[]
(1) The local enforcement agency has entered into an agreement with the department to issue installer certification tags on a "per installation" basis; and
(2) The local enforcement agency has verified that the certified installer is qualified to purchase an installer certification tag under the requirements of this chapter; and
(3) The local enforcement agency shall file with the department a monthly report complying with the requirements of WAC 365-210-170.
[]
(2) The installer certification tags must be placed on the end of a home section directly above or below the HUD certification tag or temporarily located in plain sight within three feet of the home's front entry.
(3) The local enforcement agency may not issue final approval of a home installation until one or more installer certification tags have been affixed to the home indicating all installation work was performed by a certified manufactured home installer.
| Exception: | Installation work performed by a homeowner on his or her own residence does not require an installer certification tag. |
[]
(1) The report is due no later than the 15th day of each month following the month of installation work being performed on a home. A certification tag report is not required for those months in which no installation work was performed.
(2) A manufactured home retailer who assigns tags to a certified manufactured home installer is responsible for ensuring completion of the monthly report. The manufactured home retailer shall file a separate report for each certified manufactured home installer to which the manufactured home retailer assigned installer certification tag(s).
(3) The installer certification tag report shall contain the following information for each installation:
(a) The installer certification tag number;
(b) The address of the installation;
(c) The date of the installation;
(d) The name and certification number of the certified manufactured home installer; and
(e) Any other information required by the department.
[]
(1) The education provider must submit to the department a written proposal including the following:
(a) The education and experience of proposed instructors;
(b) A detailed description of course content and materials; and
(c) The proposed course schedule.
(2) All instructors identified by the education providers must meet the following requirements:
(a) Two years' experience in one or more of the following areas:
(i) Supervising manufactured home installation, service, or repair;
(ii) Design, engineering, or architectural work related to building construction;
(iii) Inspecting manufactured home installation or construction for a local, state, or federal agency;
(iv) Completion of a two-year educational program in a construction-related field; or
(v) A combination of any of the above to meet the two-year requirement; and
(b) Complete the department-sponsored training and pass the certification exam with a score of ninety percent or higher.
(3) The curriculum proposed by the education provider must meet or exceed the department-sponsored training curriculum.
(4) The department shall provide the education service provider written notice of approval or rejection as an alternative education service provider within sixty days of submittal of the complete proposal.
(5) All approved alternative education providers shall:
(a) Make all necessary arrangements (scheduling class dates/times and facilities) and provide all educational materials for the classes presented;
(b) Provide to the department a list of participants within ten days of each class;
(c) Provide to the participant a certificate of completion. Each certificate shall indicate:
(i) The name of participant;
(ii) The date of training;
(iii) A statement indicating the participant has completed the training as required by chapter 43.63B RCW.
(6) The alternative education provider shall notify the department in writing fourteen days prior to the scheduled class date of the date, time and location of each class. Department representatives shall be permitted to audit any class without fee.
(7) Curriculum changes must be submitted to and approved by the department prior to implementation.
[]
(1) The manufactured home installer was certified under chapter 43.63B RCW at the time the installer entered into contract for performance of the work and was certified continuously while performing the work for which compensation is sought; or
(2) The supervising manufactured home installer was the employee of the contractor or retailer seeking compensation and was certified under chapter 43.63B RCW continuously during performance of the work for which compensation is sought.
[]