Cotney Newsletter

FRSA Victory in CILB Proposal

Last summer, the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), proposed a specialty residential roofing rule to allow workers, without commercial roofing experience, the opportunity to obtain a license to perform certain types of residential roofing.  This rule was posed in the wake of the hurricanes that have affected our state over the last few years, resulting in a shortage of workers and a backlog of projects related to storm damage. The specialty roofing categories included shingles & shakes, architectural metal roofing, concrete & tile roofing, and gutter & downspout installation.  

While the idea of the rule seemed like a possible solution, the reality was that the rule would not alleviate the problem of a worker shortage and would instead unnecessarily complicate the regulatory process, as well as potentially create additional opportunities for dishonest contractors to take advantage of homeowners through assignment of benefits contracts.  FRSA took the position that adoption of this rule would weaken the roofing industry as a whole, and along with its directors, legislative counsel, and attorneys, requested that the CILB not take any further action on adoption of the proposed rule. FRSA argued that the knowledge, experience, and understanding of roofing systems does not easily separate into specific categories, but rather requires an understanding of all roofing types as a whole to be able to sufficiently perform work on roofs with complex conditions, such as poor design and construction.  

Limiting the requirement for roofers to have working knowledge of all different types of roofs, would not be beneficial to the homeowner, and may actually harm the homeowner. At the CILB January 2019 meeting, after several months of discussion regarding the proposed rule, and possible alternative methods to alleviate the problem of a shortage of workers in the industry, the CILB decided not to take any further action on the specialty residential roofing, and withdrew the rule from consideration.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.