Certified Installer
To become a certified installer in the state of Kentucky, you must complete the following five steps:
- Obtain General Liability Coverage Ensure you have general liability insurance coverage of at least $250,000.
- Complete the Online 15-Hour Certification Course and Pass the Test Register for the 15-hour certification course provided by the Manufactured Housing Educational Institute and pass the test. Learn more about the course.
- Show Proof of Experience You can demonstrate your experience in one of three ways:
- Set five homes under the supervision of another certified installer within sixty days.
- Provide three separate affidavits documenting your experience in site preparation and installation of manufactured homes under the supervision of a certified installer for at least one year. These affidavits can be from licensed retailers, manufacturers, certified installers, or manufactured home community managers.
- Be licensed by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) pursuant to 24 C.F.R. 3286.201-211.
- Schedule and Take the Test in Frankfort Contact Layhoma Roberts at DHBC at 502-573-1795 to schedule your exam.
- Complete All Necessary Forms for the Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction After completing the above steps, fill out the Certified Installer Application (MH-3). Click here and look for "certified installer."
You must satisfactorily complete the 15-hour course and course exam prior to applying for your initial certified installer certification.
FAQ For 2023 Regulation Changes Affecting Certified Installers
- How much general liability insurance is required?
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- Certified Installers will be required to show proof of general liability insurance coverage in an amount not less than $250,000.
- When will I be required to obtain the general liability insurance?
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- While the regulation is in effect now, implementation will begin in February and roll out as you renew your license. If you renew after February 1st, 2024 – you will be required to show proof of general liability insurance.
- Example 1: If you just completed your continuing education in November of 2023 and your license expires in December of 2023 – you will not be required to show proof of general liability insurance until you renew in December of 2024 (since implementation takes place in February of 2024).
- Example 2: If your next renewal takes place in March 2024 – you will be required to provide proof of general liability insurance.
- What if the retailer that I work for carries general liability insurance? Do I have to have it too?
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- If you install homes exclusively for a single retailer, they are willing to cover your work under their policy, and that retailer is willing to write an affidavit stating that is the case – you can provide that affidavit along with their general liability insurance policy stating that your work is covered – then that will suffice.
- However, if you set homes for anyone other than that single retailer (who is signing that affidavit), you will be required to have your own policy.
- What if I no longer set homes but I keep my license current, do I have to have general liability insurance?
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- In an attempt to keep installers who want to reserve the right to set homes in the industry, KMHI and DHBC came to an agreement to create a new distinction – an “Inactive Certified Installer”. Inactive Certified Installers shall be exempt from:
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- Monthly reporting
- Continuing education classes
- Renewal fees (unless reactivating your license)
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- To become an Inactive Certified Installer, you must do the following:
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- Notify DHBC that you wish to become inactive
- Pay an inactive fee of $50
- Return any unused Certified Installer Seals to DHBC within 30 days
- You shall not install any manufactured or mobile homes, represent yourself as a certified installer (including any advertising - such as social media, printed ads, etc.), or engage in any work of a certified installer
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- If you wish to reactivate your Certified Installer License, you must do the following:
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- Pay a reactivation fee of $50
- Complete the renewal form
- Complete a continuing education class pursuant to 815 KAR 1:030
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Certified Manager
According to 815 KAR 25:060 Section 1, Subsection 4, Paragraph (A), a retailer must employ at least one person in a management position who has successfully completed the educational training and departmental testing program as part of the Certified Installer Program. Proof of experience in setting five homes is not required.
To become a certified manager in the state of Kentucky, you must complete two basic steps:
- Complete the Online 15-Hour Certification Course and Pass the Test
The Manufactured Housing Educational Institute offers this 15-hour course, which costs $270. You can register for the course here. Register Here
This is the same course that a Certified Installer would take.
- Complete All Necessary Forms for the Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction
After completing the course, contact Layhoma Roberts at the Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction (DHBC) at 502-573-1795.
Recertification Requirements
Certified Installer
If you have been initially certified as an installer, you must complete five hours of continuing education annually before your license expires.
Upon completing the five-hour course, you can obtain your recertification form. If you pre-registered for the KMHI training, you will receive your certificate of attendance when you sign out at the end of the day. If you registered on-site, KMHI will mail your certificate within seven days after the course completion.
It is the student's responsibility to complete the recertification application, attach a copy of the certificate of attendance, and send both the application and certificate to the Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction along with the renewal fee. This is necessary for state recertification.
KMHI will also send a copy of the class roster to the Building Code Enforcement for their records.
All certificates expire on the last day of the applicant’s birth month each year. State recertification forms can be obtained by contacting the Building Code Enforcement Office at 502-573-2002 in Frankfort.
Certified Manager
As of 2018, certified managers are no longer required to attend 5-hour continuing education courses. As of February of 2019, there is also no need to resubmit a form for recertification. While not required by regulation, KMHI does still strongly encourage the involvement of certified managers at the 5-hour continuing education courses as to stay up to date in the ever-changing climate that is manufactured housing.
Licensed Retailer
To become a licensed retailer in the state of Kentucky, there is a check list provided on HBC Form MH-2.
Some of the items that will need to be provided are:
1. Register with the Secretary of State
2. Register with the Department of Revenue
3. Obtain your Certified Manager License through DHBC
a. To become a certified manager in the state of Kentucky, you must:
- Complete the online 15-Hour Certification Course and pass the Test. The Manufactured Housing Educational Institute provides that 15- hour course, and you can register at the following link: Register Here
- Complete all necessary forms for the Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction
- The cost of the course is $270. This is the same course that a Certified Installer would take.
4. Once this is done, you’ll need to obtain your Retailer License. To become a licensed retailer, there is a checklist provided on HBC Form MH-2. (Some will not apply as an out-of- state retailer.)
a. Some of the items that will need to be provided are:
- You’ll need proof of general liability insurance that complies withKRS 227.610 with at least:
- $200,000 bodily injury or death for each person;
- $300,000 bodily injury or death for each accident; and
- $100,000 for damage to property.
b. Complete form MH-2 (linked here). This form asks for things such as:
- Types of Homes being sold
- Tax Permit Number
- Federal Tax ID Number
- Name of Dealership
- Credit Report from Proprietors, General Partners, or Directors of a Corporation (if applicable)
- Physical Address of business
- P.O. Box (If mailing address is different than physical)
- Name of owner(s) and/or corporate officers
- Copy of the deed for the property that you will be doing business from
- Dimensions of Sales Lot (if applicable)
- Dimensions of the Office
- Description of Services That You Plan To Offer (service, installation/set-up, maintenance/warranty, transportation of homes, etc.)
- Name of Employees and their years of experience
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