As New York City plans to tighten its rules on giving licenses to construction superintendents, Korean contractors have been under pressure.

According to New York City Department of Buildings, the move is intended "to ensure that construction sites are supervised by qualified individuals.

Beginning January 2, 2008, all new building and demolition applications will be required to have a registered construction superintendent. All applicants are required to submit an accomplished LIC-3 application form and an LIC-4 work history form to the Licensing Unit.

Also, the new regulation requires proof that the applicant has undergone the 40-hour Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) training and more than seven hours of safety and health training for the general industry.

New construction superintendent applicants need to have over 10 years of documented work history, and have held a construction superintendent position for at least five years.

Korean construction businesses in the greater New York metropolitan area are now trying their best to comply with these new regulations. They do not want to be caught off guard when the new regulations take effect, and they do not want to be fined or have their construction project halted for failure to meet the regulations.

Mr. Yong-sik Chong, chairman of the New York Korean Construction Business Association, said, "I'm worried that a possible lack of qualified and registered construction superintendents will negatively impact our work. Our association is therefore trying to make all the necessary preparations to meet the requirements of this new ruling.”

New York City decided to adopt the new regulations for certification because

no person has more control over building operations than the construction superintendent.

The superintendent's effective management greatly impacts the workers. The new regulations ensure that superintendents have sharp budgeting, scheduling, and quality control skills.