Code Enforcement Training & Certification

Training

We offer a basic training program designed to provide information needed for certification and to help new code enforcement officers and local plumbing inspectors understand statutory requirements. Click on Basic Training Schedule to see the workshops currently being offered.

Training is free for individuals holding appointment as a municipal code enforcement officer or local plumbing inspector. Workshop space is reserved first for new CEOs working off their grace period, then recertifiying CEOs, then others. The basic program of training includes:

1. Shoreland Zoning – covers applicable state laws, state shoreland zoning guidelines, wetlands identification and delineation techniques, review and permitting, report procedure, and inspection, and enforcement techniques.

2. Land Use Planning – covers applicable local, state, and federal land use regulations, zoning, municipal planning board and appeals board procedures, floodplain management, state subdivision law, site plan review, review and permitting, report procedure, and inspection and enforcement techniques.

3. Internal Plumbing – covers State of Maine Plumbing Code, applicable laws, plumbing practices, application review and permitting report procedure, and inspection and enforcement techniques.

4. Subsurface Wastewater Disposal (also referred to as External Plumbing) – covers State of Maine Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rule, applicable laws, soils and site evaluation, review and permitting, report procedure and inspection and enforcement techniques.

5. Building Standards – consists of the seven (7) individual codes within the building standards specific area: residential building code, commercial building code, residential energy code, commercial energy code, indoor residential ventilation code, indoor commercial ventilation code, and residential radon code. Each covers the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code, code purposes and organization, applicable state laws, review and permitting, report procedure, occupancy approval requirements, inspection and enforcement techniques. Each area is its own certification consisting of exam and training. CEOs have to only be certified in the area that they are to enforce.

6. Legal Issues – covers legal authority of a code enforcement officer, applicable laws and rules, structure and practice of the municipal code enforcement office, municipal planning board and appeals board procedures, application review and permitting procedures, inspection procedures, and enforcement techniques.

We also regularly post links to advanced training sessions sponsored by other agencies and professional groups for which CEOs/LPIs can get recertification credits. Click on Advanced Training Calendar. Please note these trainings are not sponsored by SPO, so be sure to register with the appropriate training sponsor. To receive credit for these trainings you will need to submit the Applications for Credit for Outside Training.