A home builder profession is a great career choice for anyone who is interested in a job where they can create a lasting impact. If you work or are interested in working as a home builder in Alabama, you more than likely already know you are required to continue your education before renewing your licence.
The course you choose will have a great impact on your overall experience when renewing your licence. Here’s what you should know about that.
What Are the CE Requirements?
Before deciding whether a course is ideal for you or not, you first need to understand the requirements that such a course must meet. Luckily, nothing’s ambiguous here.
● Course Content Specifications
You will need 6 hours of continuing education, which must include 2 hours of an Alabama-specific course (covers topics like business organisations and law, State of Alabama Home Builders Licence Law and Regulations, financial management, and more.
The remaining 4 hours will be made up of elective topics such as OSHA safety, framing, marketing, energy code, and others. It’s advisable to get your Alabama home builders continuing education from a state-accredited provider like RocketCert. Also, check reviews from builders who’ve already taken the course to determine if it’s worth your time and money.
● Renewal Deadline
The renewal process begins on October 1st of every year. It’s usually recommended to submit your CE credits by this date, as doing so after may slow the issuance of your renewed licence. Also, keep in mind that submitting the credits and application after November 30th subjects you to a late fee. Not only that, but your licence will expire if you send your credits after December 31st.
Tips for Choosing Your CE Course
Now that you have an idea about the requirements, let’s go into the details of choosing the right CE course.
1. Make a List of the Courses That Meet the Requirements
You already know, by now, that your course must have a total of 6 hours, 2 of which are state-specific and the rest elective. It’s crucial to ensure that any course you are interested in meets this requirement. Taking a course that doesn’t comply will certainly lead to the rejection of your renewal application.
2. Pick a Format That Suits Your Needs
Every home builder will have different needs to pay attention to when taking their licence renewal CE course. Most of these needs are determined by your schedule and responsibilities, but then there are personal preferences as well.
Online courses are ideal for maximum flexibility, as you can complete them anytime. In-person workshops, on the other hand, give you the best chances to network, but they are typically limited in availability. Live webinars are perfect if you love real-time Q&A sessions.
3. Check How Fast the Provider Reports Your Hours
Before settling for a course, make sure to assess how long it takes on average for the course provider to report your CE hours. Wondering why this is important? Of course, it’s because reporting early means you’ll get your licence faster.
But that’s not all. The Board gives providers five days to notify them that the education is complete. You, therefore, want to choose a course whose provider will report your hours within 24-48 hours.
4. Check Reviews
The last but not least important tip here is to check reviews and recommendations from other builders in Alabama. This information will go a long way towards guiding you in making the right decision since it’s usually from first-hand experience. Some of the top platforms to look for such information are Google Reviews, LinkedIn groups, and Reddit.
Make Your Work Easier
Choosing the right home builder continuing education course is certainly not an easy process, especially if this is your first time. Still, the tips mentioned in this post are a great starting point in your selection process. Oh, and don’t forget to compare the prices from different providers (just don’t sacrifice the quality to save costs – the reviews will guide you).
If you don’t like the idea of comparing countless courses, RocketCert is a great option. With expertly written education that’s also fully narrated, you have everything you need to keep on top of the renewal education requirements.
Reginae Daviester has been a key contributor to the success of Residence Resale Tactics, leveraging her creativity and dedication to help build a platform that serves as a comprehensive resource for real estate professionals. Her role as a helper involves crafting innovative ideas and supporting content development, ensuring the platform remains engaging and valuable for its audience. Reginae’s passion for real estate is reflected in her commitment to delivering high-quality insights that empower users to navigate the market effectively.
Her diverse skill set and willingness to take on new challenges have been vital to the project’s growth, enabling Residence Resale Tactics to expand its offerings and maintain its status as a leading resource. Reginae's enthusiasm and forward-thinking approach continue to inspire the team, contributing significantly to the platform's ongoing evolution and impact in the real estate community.