(a) The Department of General Services shall make the inspection of the school buildings and of the work of construction or alteration as in its judgment is necessary or proper for the enforcement of this article and the protection of the safety of the pupils, the teachers, and the public. The school district, city, city and county, or the political subdivision within the jurisdiction of which any school building is constructed or altered shall provide for and require competent, adequate, and continuous inspection during the construction or alteration by an inspector satisfactory to the architect or structural engineer and the Department of General Services. The inspector shall act under the direction of the governing board and architect or structural engineer as the board may direct. The inspector shall be responsible to the governing board for employment purposes. The inspector shall be responsible to the Department of General Services for enforcement of the plans and specifications of the school project.

(b) In order to ensure the competency and adequacy of the inspectors required under this article, the Department of General Services shall do all of the following:

(1) Revise the examination used to determine the competency of those who provide inspections pursuant to this article. The revision of the examination shall include techniques of inspection, construction, plan reading, required submittal documents, and knowledge of statutes and regulations that apply to school construction. The revision of the examination shall be done not later than 36 months after the last revision.

(2) Provide training on an ongoing basis to all individuals who provide the inspections required under this article. The training shall be designed to ensure that all individuals who provide the continuous inspection of school building construction or alteration have sufficient knowledge of the rules, regulations, and standards that apply under this article.

(3) Require evaluation of the competency of those who provide inspections pursuant to this article. After an initial evaluation, a reevaluation shall occur not later than 48 months after the last evaluation or reevaluation. An evaluation or reevaluation shall include meeting education and training requirements, as specified by the Department of General Services.

(c) The Department of General Services may require a fee from all individuals applying for evaluation or reevaluation pursuant to subdivision (b), and a fee for the examination administered in the evaluation or reevaluation. The fees shall not exceed the reasonable costs associated with the development and administration of the examination and the training.

(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 197, Sec. 1. (AB 3058) Effective January 1, 2019.)