Candidates seeking state licensure in the construction trades will soon find it much easier through a partnership of the Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC) and PSI Services, LLC, (PSI) effective November 1. PSI will begin administering testing for candidates in the electrical field immediately with testing for additional trades soon to follow. There will be no change in applicant cost to take exams.
“We are pleased that PSI will offer our customers greater flexibility in scheduling, more available locations, as well as immediate test results,” said the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Chief Deputy Director Shelly Edgerton. “Eligible candidates will be licensed much more quickly and conveniently.”
BCC Director Irvin J. Poke emphasized that the integrity of the testing process will continue to be held to the highest standards. “BCC will continue to qualify candidates upfront for eligibility and will continue to write the exams,” said Poke. “In addition, we will use PSI’s wider base of legitimate exam questions that will serve us well.” The State’s Bureau of Construction Codes issues various levels of licensure for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, elevator, boiler; and fire alarm specialty technicians and sign specialists.
Poke noted several advantages of having PSI take over the administration of testing. Once a candidate is deemed eligible for the exam, he or she will receive notice and within five business days can schedule an exam with PSI rather than wait three or four months. Candidates can schedule the exam at their convenience, six days a week year ‘round in five locations in the state: Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Holt, Marquette, and Southfield. Previously, the State of Michigan held testing in only two site locations and at limited times: Lansing on a quarterly basis and in the Upper Peninsula in Escanaba once a year.
“Applicants will know immediately if they have passed or failed an exam,” said Poke, referring to the new PSI computerized testing that will replace the old pen and paper exams that needed to be scanned, scored and verified; a process that previously took weeks, delaying the licensure process further.
The change to PSI will also save the State money in no longer paying costs for rental of exam sites, proctors, and staff. PSI Services, LLC, is a leading professional testing services provider with more than 65 years of experience providing solutions to federal and state agencies, corporations, professional associations and certifying bodies worldwide
LARA’s Bureau of Construction Codes works to ensure that the built environment and the systems within are sound, safe, and sanitary; the public’s health, safety, and welfare is protected; and that, through a coordinated program of code compliance, investigation and training, there is consistent application of standards. For more information, go to the Bureau of Construction Codes website at www.michigan.gov/bcc
Source: LARA
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