MN SF2944

Qualifying persons of residential building contractor licensees must complete 14 hours of continuing education per two-year licensure period, with requirements to include education on energy codes or energy conservation measures.

Course approval fees increased from $10 to $20 per hour for initial approval and $10 to $20 for renewal; coordinator/sponsor approval fees remain $100 for initial and increased from $10 to $20 for renewal.

Internet continuing education courses must be approved by the International Distance Education Certification Center (IDECC) before commissioner submission and must include specific requirements including seat time tracking, 24/7 availability, encryption, and a final exam with 70 percent pass requirement.

Changed terminology from "course coordinator" to "course sponsor" throughout the law and specified sponsor qualifications including three years of education administration experience, education degree plus two years industry experience, or five years industry experience.

Added new content approval guidelines allowing automatic approval for courses from Minnesota Board of Continuing Legal Education, International Code Council, and National Association of Home Building if designed for residential construction industry.