Installation license required. (1) Any individual or entity that engages in the business of directing, supervising, or controlling initial installations of new manufactured homes in a state without a qualifying installation program must itself have, or must employ someone who has, a valid manufactured home installation license issued in accordance with the requirements of this subpart C. For each installation covered under these requirements, the licensed installer, and any company that employs the licensed installer, will be responsible for the proper and competent performance of all employees working under the licensed installer's supervision and for assuring that the installation work complies with this part.

A business that employs a licensed installer to represent the business and hold the installer's license retains primary responsibility for performance of the installation work in compliance with the requirements of this part.

A license is not required for individuals working as direct employees of a licensed installer or for the company that employs a licensed installer, provided that those individuals are supervised by a licensed installer.

The installer must display an original or a copy of a valid installation license at the site of the installation while performing work related to the installation of the home.

The installer is responsible for understanding and following, as applicable, the approved manufacturer installation instructions and any alternative installation design and instructions that have been certified by a professional engineer or registered architect, that have been approved by the manufacturer and DAPIA as providing a level of protection for residents of the home that equals or exceeds the protection provided by the federal installation standards in part 3285 of this chapter.

Installation license not required. An installation license is not required for:

Site preparation that is not subject to the requirements of part 3285 of this chapter;

Connection of utilities to the manufactured home;

Add-ons subject to the requirements of § 3282.8(j) of this chapter;

Temporary installations on dealer, distributor, manufacturer, or other sales or storage lots, when the manufactured home is not serving as an occupied residence;

Home maintenance, repairs, or corrections, or other noninstallation-related work performed by the home manufacturer under warranty or other obligations or service agreements;

Installations performed by authorized representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in order to provide emergency housing after a natural disaster; or

Work performed at the home site that is not covered by the federal installation standards in part 3285 of this chapter or the requirements of this part.