Massachusetts contractors are being preyed upon by telemarketers selling CEU training services. These telemarketers are calling contractors and telling them they need to sign up right away to get their credits or they will not be able to renew their Construction Supervisor License. Anyone can obtain a list of contractors who hold a CSL in Mass by writing the BBRS

 and requesting the list of all who hold the license. The list is public information and is obtained for $5.00. With the list, a company can then find out when your license expires and look up your phone number. Here is what happened this morning to a contractor who was solicited by a telemarketer selling CEU training for the Mass CSL education requirement.

The telemarketer said he was calling to see if the contractor made arrangements to obtain the required CEU's in order to renew his license in June. The telemarketer told the contractor that he should sign up right away to ensure that he met the requirements. 

The contractor said he heard about the requirement but wasn't sure of the details. The contractor was told he better hurry or he would lose out. The contractor said he would look into it and then called me.

The problem with this scenario is the CEU training provider failed to explain the full details of when a contractor must have their credits. It turns out the contractor renews in June and does not have to obtain his credits for his next renewal. The contractor will however have to obtain CEU's to renew his license in June 2014.

Telemarketers working for CEU training providers are failing to disclose that some contractors have 2 or 3 years to obtain the required CEU's. These unscrupulous telemarketers are cashing in on contractors ignorance and duping those who actually have significant time to obtain the CEU's.

Here is a excerpt form the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) explaining the requirement;

   Construction Supervisor License; Continuing Education Requirements

  The Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) is pleased to announce that it has approved continuing education requirements for licensed construction supervisors. Over the last several months, BBRS staff has been reviewing applications submitted by those seeking approval to coordinate education programs. 

 July 1, 2011 is the line of demarcation for licensees to comply with education requirements as established below.   Licensees who renew a license or are issued a first-time license on or after July 1, 2011 shall be expected to fully comply with education requirements following a full two-year cycle or elongated first-time license cycle (a first-time license cycle may extend beyond two years depending on the licensees birth date).  Licensees who renew or are issued a first-time license prior to July 1, 2011 will be on a different schedule.  Examples are provided below to help clarify when licensees are affected.

Example No. 1:          John Smith renews his license on July 1, 2011.  He next renews on July 1, 2013.  Is he required to comply with continuing education requirements?  Yes, because a full two-years has passed since his last renewal. 

Example No. 2:          John Smith renews his license on June 30, 2011.  He next renews on June 30, 2013.  Is he required to comply with continuing education requirements?  No, a full two-year cycle has not been completed since the July 1, 2011 implementation date.  He then renews on June 30, 2015, is he required to comply with continuing education requirements?  Yes.

As you can see from the examples, a contractor who got thier license on or before June 30th, 2011 has not completed the full two year cycle.  Therefore the contractor does not have to get their CEU's until the next cycle.

Unfortunately, many contractors are still unaware or unclear of the education requirements in the 8th edition of the Mass Building Code. Some CEU training providers using telemarketers are conveninetly leaving out the details hoping to get contractors signed up right now even though the contractor has 2 or 3 years to obtain the CEU's to renew the CSL. If you are solicited by one of these comapanies do not sign up until you know exactly what you need and when you need it.

If you have any questions about what is required feel free to contact me  and I will be glad to help. We provide CEU training with Darcy Cook of Safety Trainers, Inc from Auburn, Ma. Our courses are listed on the BBRS website. We take the time to explain the requirement fully so you are completely informed and are not pushed into taking training before you need it.

Another detail to consider is if you do take training before your next cycle, and the training is approved for credits, they will carry over to your next cycle. We mention this because there are some regulatory movements from OSHA on compliance with the fall protection and DOLS on compliance with the RRP Law. We are training many contractors who do not need CEU's right now but want to learn how to comply with OSHA and RRP. Our courses will count towards the next cycle.

In closing, we want you to be fully informed and make decisions based on all the facts. Don't fall for the sweet talking CEU training provider telemarketer who chooses to conveniently leave out some of the details to get you to give up your money now.