Administrative Brief
CITY COMMISSION INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
May 2, 2013
ADMINISTRATIVE BRIEF FROM GARY HOBBIE
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT (BUILDING SERVICES DIVISION)
2013 will close with many contractors being required to renew their contractor license. Local building
contractors are required to obtain continuing education hours as a requirement for their license renewal,
as stated in Section 8-175 Chart II of the Salina Municipal Code. Continuing Education hours are on
subjects related to building construction but the training may not be required to be trade specific for the
general contractor but highly recommended. Class A, B, C and D General Contractor are required to
have eighteen (18) hours of continuing education, with six (6) hours being suggested annually, during the
three year contractor license period. Specialty and Registered contractors for concrete, framing, roofing,
masonry, fire sprinkler, fire alarm, demolition, sign, right-of-way concrete or swimming pool contractors
are not required, but recommended, to obtain continuation hours of education within the three year
period the licenses is valid. Education of contractors, concerning new materials and code functions are
taken seriously and is considered a life long journey, and Development Services staff plan to assist in
sponsoring continuing education programs in the future.
Skilled Trade licensees for Master, Journeyman, Sheetmetal Journeymen, Sold-fuel Appliance Installer
and Apprentices, in the Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing License sector, have similar continuing
education requirements as set out in Salina Municipal Code 8-189 and within the state statute sections
12-1509, 12-1526 or 12-1542 of Kansas Statutes Annotated. Recognition of licensing and testing for
skilled tradesmen, either Master or Journeyman, has been in effect for a longer period of time when
compared to general contractors. In Salina the renewal of a Master or Journeyman skilled trades license
for plumbing, mechanical, and electrical tradesmen requires the same eighteen (18) hours of continuing
education, per three year period, that the license is valid. Solid Fuel, Appliance Installer and
Apprentices are not required to obtain continuing education hours. City municipal code, which mirrors
the State Statute, requires a Skilled Trade License individual to obtain 9 hours of the 18 hours continuing
education in code related trade specific instruction.
In response to requests from contractors, the Building Services Department has provided a minimum of
18 hours of instruction for the general and skilled trade contractors over the past 3 years and will allow a
contractor to attend the Building Advisory Board meetings as additional CEU credits. The classes
presented were taught by the Building Official, Inspection Staff, Fire Department Personnel, Technical
College Instructor and Technical Trade individuals who teach professionally. Each participant receives
continuing education certificates for programs approved by the building official. Most recently city staff
has worked with the Salina Technical College to provide skilled trade education training and testing for
individuals and contractors, and online classes have become popular and are approved for continuing
education hours once approved by the building official.
Each educational program is packed with information, handouts and discussion and well received by
those in attendance who pay a small fee to cover instructor and incidental room rental fees. Contractors
are encouraged to check out our department website to learn what, when and where classes are being
held and which classes have been approved by the building official. Any education that tradesmen can
obtain will further support our building code safety program throughout the construction industry.
MONDAY’S MEETING
Enclosed are other items on the agenda. If any Commissioner has questions or cannot attend the
meeting, please contact me.
Jason A. Gage, City Manager