Re: More ranting about the ridiculous ICC site
Tex - Being from NYS, I don't currently need anything from ICC. We have our own courses, testing and certification(s).
In the last two or three years the State has been accepting more ICC certs and CEUs, but they are not necessary here... yet. My fear (yes, FEAR) is that NYS will abandon its' program in the next few years and rely completely on ICC for training. I say 'fear' not from personal experience, but rather from what I've read and heard here and elsewhere.
Our current system of Basic Training carries no direct costs outside of my Jurisdiction paying me for the time I spend in classes, (and a relatively small cost for the in-service classes we take annually). The ICC courses carry what I would consider exorbitant costs.
For example, a local chapter provides an annual Spring Educational Conference. Three days (2 1/2 actually) of almost total immersion in code classes, 16-19 hours of in-service crdeit (24 is the required annual minimum) and the cost this past spring was under $300 per person. Hotel room is extra if needed (I usually commute the 70 or so miles each day). How many ICC offerings come in at less than $20 per credit hour?
NYS also requires a minimum number of credits in specified areas. That particular conference provides the minimum for each category by design. In other words, after that three day conference, you only need a handful of credits in any subject area to meet your State In-Service requirements to maintain your cert. AND there are only two certifications in NYS; Code Enforcement Official (can do it all) and Code Compliance Technician (limited scope of duties). Most have the CEO cert. Most NEED the CEO cert as the vast majority of jurisdictions are one-man operations. AND there are only two certifications in NYS; Code Enforcement Official (can do it all) and Code Compliance Technician (limited scope of duties). Most have the CEO cert. Most NEED the CEO cert as the vast majority of jurisdictions are one-man operations.
My local chapter offers credits at 10 out of 12 meetings a year (July is the 'Picnic' and December is the 'Holiday Party'). We also co-sponser the Spring Conference. Our chapter offered over 100 hours of training last year, that's more than 3 times the minimum! We take this s#!+ pretty seriously. And we leave little room for excuses.
Once upon a time (read as: Pre-ICC) NYS offered a wide variety of in-service courses every year, partly because they are required to by our States' enabling legislation. Between staff reductions (attrition, death, retirement, budget cuts), and most available staff being assigned to groups that 'refine' the I-Codes for adoption by NYS, the Dept of State has been gutted to the point that it is no longer able to provide these services at that level. Throw in a blanket hiring freeze by the Governor and you end up with local chapters picking up the slack.
Fortunately for me I belong to one of the most active chapters in the State. We have over 150 members, all certified CEOs who not only belong to the NYS Buiding Officials Conference (NYSBOC), but are (I believe) ALL voting members of ICC.
Sorry about the rant...
