News Releases are in chronological order
July 31, 2011
The 60-day grace period for builders renewing their licenses in 2011 ended on July 31, 2011. There are an estimated 15,000 Michigan builders that have not renewed their license as of that date. So if you are one of those builders or M&A contractors that have let your license lapse, it is not too late. Follow these steps to begin the process of reinstating your license.
1.
You must resubmit an application to the State of MI.
This application is
different
from the initial forms when you completed the 60 hour prelicensure
course.
The new applications can be found at www.michigan.gov/builders
Direct Link: http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/dms/results.asp?docowner=BCSC&doccat=Builders&Search=Search
Form #9 Individual Application
($185 each)
Form #7 Corporation application
($185 each)
The state will do another screening. Checking your background and looking for "good moral character".
2. You still need to complete the 3 Hour CE
CLICK HERE for information about our 3-Hour Continued Competency course.
3. You could still be one of the 17% audited by the state.
###
July 19, 2011
Online courses are “Good
News!†for Michigan Builders
July 19, 2011 Traverse City, Michigan.
The Building industry in Michigan has long awaited the
option of taking continuing competency and the required 60 hours
of approved prelicensure education online.
With gas prices over $3.50 per gallon and the building
industry in a slump, traveling to a classroom for builders’
education can be a financial and time strain.
The State of Michigan has finally given a green light on
allowing the online option.
In June of 2008, Michigan changed the
requirements for builders and contractors to become licensed.
Prior to this date, passing a test was the largest
hurdle. Now, anyone
wishing to become licensed as a Residential Builder or
Maintenance and Alterations Contractor must first complete 60
hours of approved education before being allowed to
the State Exam.
Continuing Competency is also required once someone is
licensed as a builder or contractor.
The amount of continuing education required depends on
the date of licensing.
The Builders
License Training Institute, a Michigan licensed and EPA
Accredited Proprietary School offers both the 60-hours of
State-approved education and continuing competency
courses online and in cities throughout Michigan.
The online option is “Good News!†for those in the
industry that are not able to attend a course in a classroom
setting or a classroom option is not available in their city.
For more information or details on how to take a
classroom or online builders program, call the Builders License
Training Institute at 1-800-727-7104 or visit their web site at
www.licensetobuild.com
###
July 18, 2011
Two important courses
coming to Alabama Builders and Contractors
July 18, 2011
Traverse City, Michigan.
Two important one day courses will be available to
builders and contractors in Alabama during the first two weeks
in August. The
Alabama Home Builders License Exam Prep course will be held in
five cities between August 1st and August 5th.
The EPA Accredited Lead Paint Renovator course will be
available August 8th through August 12th.
A major hurdle
in obtaining a home builders license in Alabama is passing the
State exam. This
one-day exam prep course is a comprehensive review of what
home builders can expect to see on the test.
The course is so thorough that Builders License Training
Institute stands behind it with a money back guarantee.
They claim, “Pass the test or get your money backâ€.
The
Lead Paint Safety
Renovator Certification course fulfils the EPA
requirement that anyone renovating a home or child-occupied
facility built before 1978 must complete an EPA Approved 8-hour
RRP course. The
fines for working on homes without this certification can be as
high as $37,500.00.
|
CLASS LOCATIONS AND DATES |
|
|
Montgomery Exam Prep,
August 1st |
Montgomery Lead Paint
Safety, August 8th |
|
Dothan Exam Prep, August 2nd |
Dothan Lead Paint Safety, August 9th |
|
Auburn Exam Prep, August 3rd |
Auburn Lead Paint Safety, August 10th |
|
Birmingham Exam Prep, August 4th |
Birmingham Lead Paint
Safety, August 11th |
|
Huntsville Exam Prep, August 5th |
Huntsville Lead Paint Safety, August 12th |
The Builders License Training Institute, a University of Alabama
approved and EPA Accredited Proprietary School offers these
courses for only $189 each.
This price is among the lowest in the State.
For more information or details on how to register for
either one of these two popular courses, call the Builders
License Training Institute at 1-800-727-7104 or visit online at
www.licensetobuild.com
###
January 7, 2011
|
DELEG Warns: Beware of Scam Regarding Continuing
Competency Requirements Scam Targets Licensed
Residential Builders and Maintenance & Alteration
Contractors
Contact:
Mario L. Morrow 517-373-9280
NOTE:
This company goes by the name of Michigan Builders
License, michiganbuilderslicense.com and
acceleratedbuilderscourse.com |
|
January 7, 2011 - Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG) Acting Director Andrew S. Levin warns Michigan licensed residential builders, and maintenance and alteration contractors to be aware of a possible scam that involves a mailing they may have received which looks deceptively like a mailing from DELEG. The mailing appears to be a form similar to the department's applications, titled "BUILDER CONTINUING COMPETENCY." The mailing contains inaccurate information and makes it look like the department is offering or endorsing the specific continuing competency classes listed, which it is not. The fraudulent letters can look authentic. They may be addressed to the licensee; cite a Michigan statute or a federal statute; and may appear to be issued by the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth, Bureau of Commercial Services, Licensing Division. If such notices are received, they are to be disregarded because they are neither issued by DELEG nor any governmental agency. Any licensed builder or maintenance and alteration contractor who receives such a notice is advised to do the following:
Legitimate notices and mailings to Michigan licensees
are issued from DELEG's Licensing Division and are
mailed to the address on record.
### |
February 22, 2010
Continued Education Is a Big "GO"! and the Builders License
Training Institute hits the ground running with the 8-Hour Lead
Paint Renovation (RRP) course and the 3-hour required course.
As of February 16, 2010, you can earn continuing competency.
- Any approved prelicensure course may be taken to fulfill the continuing competency requirement.
-
Any construction code update
course approved by the Bureau of Construction Codes may be
taken to fulfill the continuing competency requirement.
- Any fire safety or workplace safety course approved or sponsored by an agency within the Department of Energy Labor and Economic Growth (DELEG), such as Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) may be taken to fulfill the continuing competency requirement.
-
Continuing competency may be
earned by serving as a lecturer or discussion leader in an
approved course.
If you received your first license before January 1, 2009, you only have to take a State-Approved Code-Law-Safety 3-hour course to renew your license in May of 2011. Then you will need another 3-hour Code-Law-Safety course to renew in May of 2014, and so on for every 3-year licensing cycle thereafter (or until the law changes).
When did the requirement to complete continuing competency begin?
The continuing competency requirement became
effective in 2009.
During future renewal periods, individuals will be required to
certify to the number of continued competency hours earned
between January 1, 2009 through
Individuals who have been licensed less than 6 years, and received their first license after January 1, 2009 are required to have 21 hours of continued competency as follows: 3 hours per calendar year; a total of 21 hours over a 3 year period; and 3 of the total 21 hours must include 1 hour of codes, 1 hour of safety and 1 hour of legal issues. The three years coincides with your licensing anniversary date.
Individuals who have been licensed 6 years
or longer are required to have 3 hours of continued
competency per license cycle as follows:
1 hour of codes, 1 hour of safety and 1 hour of legal
issues.
How many hours of continuing competency are required?
During the first 6
calendar years of licensure if you were licensed after January
1, 2009 –
21 hours of continuing competency hours are required.
At least 3 hours shall devoted to those activities
designed to develop a licensee’s understanding and ability to
apply state building codes and laws relating to the licensed
occupation, safety and changes in construction and business
management laws.
A licensee who has
held a license for more than 6 years
– 3 hours of continuing competency hours are required.
Three hours of activities demonstrating continuing
competency per license cycle to include 1 hour of codes, 1 hours
of safety, and 1 hour of legal issues.
Courses taken prior to becoming licensed
cannot be used or counted toward meeting the continuing
competency requirements.
Documentation Required to be Kept
Effective 2009, a licensee shall maintain
documentation for at least 5 years of activities counted toward
meeting the continuing competency requirements.
Who can offer the acceptable continuing competency courses?
Sponsors who offer approved prelicensure courses can offer those same courses to meet the continuing competency requirements.
The subject matter of continuing competency
activities may be offered by a high school, intermediate school
district, community college, university, Bureau of Construction
Codes, MIOSHA, fire safety, trade association, or a proprietary
school licensed by the Department if approved by the Department
to offer prelicensure courses.
Any construction code courses approved by the
Bureau of Construction Codes as well as fire safety or workplace
safety courses approved or sponsored by the Department are also
considered appropriate for fulfilling continuing competency
requirements.
===========================================================
January, 2010
Builders License Training Institute
Update on CE and Online Training
The State of Michigan has not yet released any school to offer Continued Education courses or Online/Distance learning courses for the Residential Builders or the Maintenance and Alteration (M&A) Contractors licensing. If you complete continued education courses before the State of Michigan allows them, they will not count.
DID YOU KNOW? If you received your initial builders or M&A license by May 31, 2009, you only have to complete three hours of CE to renew your license in May of 2011 and all licensing cycles thereafter. If you received your initial license after May 31, 2009, you will need to complete 14 hours of CE to renew your license in May of 2011. If the State of Michigan does not allow CE until May of 2010, and you received your initial license after May 31, 2009, you will only need to complete 7 hours of CE to renew your license in May of 2011. Please call us at 1-800-727-7104 if you have further questions regarding CE.
DID YOU KNOW? If you are working on homes that were built before 1978, a new law is going into effect in April of 2010 requiring individuals involved in interior and exterior renovation, repair and painting to complete an 8-hour lead paint safety course to get certified to work on these homes. The Builders License Training Institute will be offering this course throughout the State of Michigan. Call us for details. Our course will fulfill both the Lead Paint Safety Requirement and 8 hours of the Continued Education Requirement for builders and contractors licensed after May 31, 2009.
==================================================================
December, 2009
Builders License Training Institute
10 Reasons Why
10 Great Reasons To Choose the
Builders
License Training Institute
For Your Michigan 60-Hour Education
1.
Best Price and Value
in
Michigan:
$749.00 including all books and materials.
2.
Includes four great books and an online State Exam Prep Course:
Michigan Code Book,
Carpentry and Building Construction textbook, Profit from
Building Green and Marketing PowerPak.
This $325 in value comes
FREE.
3.
Now in 32 cities
throughout Michigan.
There is always a program scheduled within a reasonable driving
distance.
4.
We
prepare you for the State exam throughout the 60
hours. The free
online course is separate and complements our program with
sample quizzes on all test topics.
5.
We have the most
flexible makeup policy.
If you miss a day, you can make it up at any location,
and we hold more programs in more locations than all of the
other schools combined.
6.
We have the most
consistent record for holding classes.
We seldom cancel.
7.
Relaxed, stress-free method of teaching.
No tests or homework – an enjoyable quality education without the anxiety.
8.
Class surveys show that
students love our program and our instructors.
Let our
experienced professionals teach you how to grow and prosper in
your business.
9.
Strong support after the class. We have an instructor on
staff during business hours at
1-800-727-7104 for any questions or help after the program ends.
10.
Three convenient venues: 2-week programs held during
business hours, 3-week and 4-week programs that work around
business hours.
Call 1-800-727-7104 for a program near you.
===================================================================
November, 2009
Builders License Training Institute
Lead Paint Safety RRP Rule
Under the Renovation, Repair and Paint (RRP) Rule beginning in April 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. This applies to any contractor working on pre-1978 structures, including electrical, plumbing, mechanical and drywall, as well as building contractors. Individuals can obtain this certification by completing an approved eight-hour training course.
Exception: Individuals who have successfully completed renovation courses developed by HUD or the EPA, or an abatement worker or supervisor course accredited by the EPA or an authorized State or Tribal program, can become certified renovators by taking a four hour EPA-accredited renovator refresher training.
The Builder License Training Institute will be providing these courses in all locations where 60-hour builders prelicensure programs are being held beginning in 2010.
===================================================================
October 9, 2009
Builders License Training Institute
Releases New 30-Hour Program
for Spouses and Salespeople
The Builders
License Training Institute is proud to announce a new aspect of the
60-hour Builders Prelicense Program that is geared toward spouses
and sales staff. This
new feature is 30 hours in length and covers the business aspects
that are often handled by a spouse or salesperson in a building
contractor business.
There are four
courses in this new 30-hour program that current students have
requested for their spouses and office staff to attend:
1.
Business of
Building (9-hours)
2.
Contracts,
Liabilities and Insurance (7 hours)
3.
Project Management
for Contractors (7 hours)
4.
Marketing for
Building Contractors (7 hours)
By including this
feature as part of the 60-hour program, it can be offered in all 23
cities throughout Michigan that the current program is held.
The cost is only $300 making it economical for office staff
to obtain a complete understanding of how to run the office, manage
risk and increase market potential.
This allows the builder or contractor to focus on the jobs.
“This is especially nice because it allows a student to
complete the 30 hours of the State required education that pertains
to how a business is run.
Then they can come back later and complete the Trades
portion, allowing them to actually go ahead and get licensed if they
choose,†claims Mark Swanson, instructor for Builders License
Training Institute.
The Builders
License Training Institute is a proprietary school offering the
State-approved 60-hour prelicensing program and Continuing Education
throughout Michigan. For
more information on courses offered near you, call the Builders
License Training Institute at 1-800-727-7104 or go to
www.licensetobuild.com
October 2, 2009
Builders License Training Institute
Forms Alliance With
Contractorsyoucantrust.com
The Builders License Training Institute (BLTI) would like to announce an alliance recently formed with contractorsyoucantrust.com (CYCT). Contractorsyoucantrust.com is a web-based company that assists homeowners in finding reputable contractors in all industries with which a homeowner would contract.
“We are forming this alliance because contactorsyoucantrust.com qualifies contractors that reach a standard of excellence. That same standard is what we promote in our courses,†says Dave Francis, President of the Builders License Training Institute. “This is not just a membership-based business where you pay a fee and you’re in. Contractors have to prove themselves worthy,†adds Dave. To be listed with CYCT, contractors must provide appropriate license and insurance certificates, as well as meet and pass a series of stringent requirements. Failure to meet specific guidelines disqualifies a contractor from membership. If a company is listed on CYCT, you can have confidence they are qualified to perform the service.
===================================================================
September, 2009
Update on Michigan Builders License
Continuing Education Requirements
Michigan laws were changed in 2008 requiring Residential Builders to
complete continuing competency requirements before they will be
allowed to renew their licenses in 2011.
So far, the State of Michigan has not yet finalized the rules
surrounding Continuing Competency.
Until the rules are confirmed no providers will be approved
to provide continuing competency courses.
“It generally takes 12-18 months for the State of Michigan to
promulgate rules†according to Lee Schwartz of the MAHB.
"We do not know when these rules will be promulgated as they are
sill in draft form and are not high on the department's priority
list," adds Lee. Until the
rules are promulgated, no licensee under Article 24 will have to do
any continuing competency.
Once the rules are finalized and providers are approved, it
is expected that the required number of hours will be pro-rated for
that licensing cycle. In
other words, If 21 hours are required over three years, but there
are only two years left in the licensing cycle, the licensee will
only be required to complete 14 hours.
One rule that has been finalized is that all residential builders
and maintenance and alteration contractors that obtained their
initial license before May 31, 2009 will only be required to
complete three hours of continuing competency in order to renew
their license at the end of each licensing cycle.
The Builders License Training Institute will be offering Continuing
Competency Courses in all 23 cities that they currently offer the
60-hour prelicensure programs.
The courses will be competitively priced and will fulfill
state requirements. For
further information on continuing competency requirements call the
Builders License Training Institute at 1-800-727-7104 or go to
www.licensetobuild.com
August, 2009
Michigan
60-Hour Program
Getting licensed in Michigan is now a
three step process:
·
Step
one is completing the 60 hours of approved education.
· Step two is sending the licensing application to the State and waiting as long as six weeks for approval.
· Step
three is passing the State exam.
"Builders are not allowed to even schedule their State builders
licensing exam until after their license application is approved.
This can sometimes take up to six weeks," says Teri Francis,
Education Coordinator for the Builders License Training Institute.
"Our goal is to make sure students attend a quality education
program and are completely prepared for the State exam once their
license is approved," Teri adds.
The cost of the 60-hour prelicense program through the Builders
License Training Institute is $750 and includes all books and course
materials. There are no
hidden costs and they have even added an online State exam
preparation program that is given to every student upon completion
of the 60 hours.
Students have a waiting period between steps two and three.
This online exam study course reinforces the information that
students learned during the 60-hour program.
Get Licensed by May 31st and Forgo 29 Hours of Required Continued
Education
If you receive your initial license after May 31st, you must complete 14 hours of continuing competency to renew your license in May of 2011. You will also be required to complete 21 hours of continuing competency during the 3-year renewal cycle that ends May, 2014.
March, 2009
Continued Education Waived for Builders
If your license was due to expire on May 31 of this
year, you may now renew it without having to worry about meeting the
continuing competency requirements that were enacted into law in
June of 2008.
The postponement is for this year only. Licensees will have to meet
continuing competency requirements during the next license cycle.
The Builders License
Training Institute will be holding Continuing Competency (CE)
courses throughout Michigan once the State begins approving them.
We are told by the DELEG that they are hoping to begin
approving CE courses in June, 2009.
For the latest updates on CE approval, please go to
www.licensetobuild.com
or call the Builders License Training Institute at 1-800-727-7104.
October, 2008
Most Builders and Contractors Don't Know Their Legal Rights
A poll of 125
builders and contractors across
Michigan
Residential Builders and Maintenance and Alteration Contractors are
now required to complete 60 hours of State approved training before
they will be allowed to sit for the State exam for licensure.
The Builders License Training Institute offers a series of
nine courses that make up the 60-hour program.
The first of these nine courses is called the Business of
Building and it is devoted to interpreting the rules and regulations
of the licensees, as well as necessary steps in putting together a
business in the building trades.
“We have found that the majority of our students are not
aware of the rights that benefit them or the rules that regulate
them,†says Dave Francis, co-owner of the Builders License Training
Institute. “Many
tradespeople don’t learn about their rights until they are in
trouble and have to exercise them, which often can be too late.â€
“I would spend
$750 just for the Business of Building partâ€, says Cody, a student
enrolled in the Petoskey course.
“I may have never learned my rights had I not taken this
courseâ€. Even
though the laws surrounding the Michigan Builders License are
available at the State website, few tradespeople actually take the
time to look them up.
Once they do, the laws are written in legal format which is
difficult to interpret or understand.
Most people give up after a page or two.
The Builders
License Training Institute now offers the 60-hour prelicensing
program throughout the State of
