16- 219 C.M.R. ch. 52, § 4

Current through 2024-51, December 18, 2024

Section 219-52-4 - Certification Standards And Procedures

A municipally-employed code enforcement officer shall be certified by the Office. A code enforcement officer need only be certified in the specific area for which that officer has responsibility.

1.Certification Standards

To be certified, a code enforcement officer shall successfully complete a written examination provided by the Office in each specific area of job responsibility and in legal issues and enforcement techniques.

A.Specific Area

Specific area examinations test knowledge of the laws, codes, standards, rules, and ordinances, relevant to a specific area of code enforcement. The level of knowledge required to successfully complete the examination is introductory. Specific areas of certification include:

1. shoreland zoning;

2. comprehensive planning and land use;

3. internal plumbing;

4. subsurface wastewater disposal; and

5. building standards

B.Legal Issues and Enforcement Techniques

The legal issues and enforcement techniques examination tests knowledge of the legal authority, structure and practice of the municipal code enforcement officer, municipal planning board and appeals board procedures, application review and permitting procedures, inspection procedures and methods and procedures for enforcement.

2.Certification Duration

A certification is valid for a period of six (6) years, except as provided in section 10.

3.Certification Procedures

A. The Office offers examinations at least once per year on dates and at locations determined by the Office.

B. The Office determines the form and content of the examinations and updates examinations periodically to keep current with changing state laws and case law.

C. Unsuccessful candidates for certification are allowed to be reexamined without prejudice as many times as needed.

D. The Office provides basic training to assist the candidate with preparing for examinations.

16- 219 C.M.R. ch. 52, § 4