WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 963

Code Enforcement Pathways and Procedures Act.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Jay Adams

HB 963 creates formal apprenticeships and pathways for building inspectors, easing entry and advancement while requiring due‑process protections and disaster inspection relief.

Passed 1st Reading
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 963

HB 963 — Code Enforcement Pathways and Procedures Act (Summary)

Status: Introduced Nov 12, 2024; Passed First Reading.
Primary sponsor: Rep. Adams. (House bill; affects North Carolina statutes governing building/code enforcement.)

Main purpose

HB 963 creates structured career pathways and procedural protections for building code–enforcement officials in North Carolina. The bill is designed to (1) expand and standardize entry routes into the inspector workforce (including an apprenticeship pathway and a pathway for general contractors), (2) reduce unnecessary barriers to certification advancement, (3) protect local government inspectors with due‑process and just‑cause rules for discipline, and (4) establish mechanisms to improve inspection finality and disaster inspection relief.

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishes a Building Inspector Apprenticeship Program (new G.S. 143‑151.22).

    • The State Board (in consultation with the Office of State Fire Marshal) must develop rules for the program: curriculum, direct‑supervision requirements, supervision ratios, and a maximum apprenticeship duration of one year (extendable up to one additional year by the Board).
    • Apprentices may perform inspections only under direct supervision; apprentices cannot independently approve or sign off on code compliance. All apprentice inspections must be reviewed and approved by the supervising certified inspector, who retains ultimate responsibility.
    • The Board may issue apprenticeship certificates tied to an apprentice’s specific jurisdiction/scope; certificates may be renewed consistent with program duration limits.
    • The program blends on‑the‑job training and classroom/online education; the Board and Fire Marshal will coordinate course access (including leveraging the community college system) with a goal of no‑cost or reduced‑cost core classes where funds permit.
    • The Office of State Fire Marshal is authorized (subject to available appropriations) to provide grants to local governments to help cover apprentice salary and training costs; the Office will set grant guidelines and prioritize jurisdictions with staffing needs.

  • Amends G.S. 143‑151.13 to add apprenticeship certificates to the list of permitted credentials and to recognize apprenticeship completion as a pathway toward taking certification exams or meeting experience requirements.

  • Directs the Board to review certification requirements for Level II and III standard certificates and consider reforms to facilitate career progression (e.g., reduced experience years, acceptance of alternate experience, recognition of national or out‑of‑state credentials). The Board must report findings and recommended statutory or rule changes to the legislative oversight committee and Fiscal Research Division by July 1, 2026.

  • Establishes (in the bill’s title and summary) additional reforms including:

    • A program pathway enabling general contractors to become code‑enforcement officials (text references in bill title; details in bill sections not fully excerpted).
    • Just‑cause and due‑process protections for disciplinary actions against county and municipal building inspectors.
    • Finality rules for approved stages of building inspections under specified conditions.
    • Creation of a Disaster Building Inspection Relief Fund.
    • Preservation of certain code officials’ authority to inspect specified nonresidential buildings.

Who is affected

  • Prospective and current building/code enforcement officials (inspectors), local government inspection departments, licensed general contractors seeking alternative pathways, the State Board of Examiners and the Office of State Fire Marshal, local governments (as employers), and building owners/developers who may experience changes in inspection staffing and processes.
  • Fiscal effects: the bill authorizes grants and course support subject to available funds; costs will depend on appropriations and local uptake.

Timeline / procedural points

  • Board must promulgate program rules and curriculum; apprenticeship duration capped at one year (plus possible one‑year extension).
  • Board report due to oversight committee and Fiscal Research Division by July 1, 2026.
  • Many operational provisions (grant guidelines, supervision ratios, curriculum details) will be established by Board and Fire Marshal rules and subject to available funding.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.