Inspection certificate Q.

[SCBO1]

What inspection certificate IYO would be the most important for a new hire?

 

[BN4537]

B1 - IRC building inspector. Once they are familiar with that book, learning everything else gets easier.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

It depends on the jurisdiction. My state doesn't recognize ICC certifications. The state runs its own pre-licensure classes, administers its own tests, issues its own licenses, and conducts its own [required] in-service training classes.

Other than having to have the required state license, what I would look at would be experience. The department I just left currently has a chief BO who prior to that position had about one year as a residential inspector in a much less busy town, and three assistant building officials ALL of whom had just passed the licensure exam and none of whom had any previous experience. Since my departure, there is nobody in the department who knows how to review plans under the IBC or the IEBC, and nobody with any experience inspecting anything other than single-family residences.

It's a recipe for disaster.

 

[Joe.B]

What inspection certificate IYO would be the most important for a new hire?

A new hire for what kind of position?

 

[ICE]

The department I just left currently has a chief BO who prior to that position had about one year as a residential inspector in a much less busy town, and three assistant building officials ALL of whom had just passed the licensure exam and none of whom had any previous experience. Since my departure, there is nobody in the department who knows how to review plans under the IBC or the IEBC, and nobody with any experience inspecting anything other than single-family residences.

It's a recipe for disaster.

Not to worry. That sounds like many jurisdictions and seldom does it matter.

 

[mtlogcabin]

What inspection certificate IYO would be the most important for a new hire?

None, I can train someone to be an inspector. I can't train personality and attitude.
My 2 best inspectors came from law enforcement. The 15 to 20 years experience they had in that field in dealing with the public and writing reports, their observation skills where second to none.

A certification just means they can pass an open book test. It is not a representation of an individuals ability to do the job

 

[Inspector Gadget]

Not to worry. That sounds like many jurisdictions and seldom does it matter.

I find that here, and it's *staggering* to me. I only got my shingle a bit more than eight years ago... and what bothers me is that eight years later, I frequently hear/read statements like "Wow, nobody ever made us do that before," or "Huh, apart from you and <insert fellow geek>, nobody has even asked that question before."

And in some cases, "that" is basic, basic stuff.

Earlier this week, I had a call from a representative of a construction firm building a large, two-storey structure. They asked when I would be doing inspections.... and if they had to call.
"Dude," said I, perhaps more formally, "Check your permit. I checked one of everything. Foundations, footings, framing, pre-drywall, drywall, fire rated drywall, fire stop ... I will be onsite at least 10 times, if not more."

Dude *presumed* I would do as "everyone else," that is, a walkthrough at the end of construction. They named some notable municipalities (which have resources to hire decent people), where they never saw a building official until the end. That's plain-ass scary to me.

None, I can train someone to be an inspector. I can't train personality and attitude.
My 2 best inspectors came from law enforcement. The 15 to 20 years experience they had in that field in dealing with the public and writing reports, their observation skills where second to none.

A certification just means they can pass an open book test. It is not a representation of an individuals ability to do the job

You gotta have *it*. As I have said a zillion times, my greatest asset coming into this was more than two decades of sports officiating.

 

[SCBO1]

A new hire for what kind of position?

Building inspector

We have found that a trades person like an electrician, journeymen or master can evolve into a multi-trades inspector or possibly some one that has come from the building trades or home inspection trades.

Finding ICC certified inspectors or BO's has been a real issue.

 

[SCBO1]

A certification just means they can pass an open book test. It is not a representation of an individuals ability to do the job

You're on to something there Mtlog, bookworms not always make the best field inspectors.

Once heard an inspector tell someone interested in being an inspector this: "Its not so much knowing the code, it's where to find the code in the book!" This same person couldn't read a blue print. So I'm very leery of making that statement.

Willing to learn has been IMO the most important thing while doing interviews. When asked what ICC certificate I felt the BI was the first one that the new hire should try to obtain, after that probably plan review.

Do any of you have a process like start with IPMC then BI then other? Or do you just throw them to the wolves?

You also have to have a budget in place for training. Incentives to train or get certificates seem to be high importance to most entities that hire for inspection positions.

Someone with some building material knowledge, construction know-how and government process are hard to find.

 

[Sifu]

Agree with MT with the caveat that whether it is practical or not, having certifications may be important should scrutiny of the work take place. So it would be prudent to have certifications for what they are inspecting as a first line of defense, and may be required by an AHJ before they can work outside of a probational period.

I previously worked (first job in the business) in a state with it's own certifications to it's own state building code. The FIRST cert was in law and administration. It required a week long class, taught by a CBO/attorney. That state code had it's own law and admin code book, more detailed and specific to that state, similar to the ICC ch. 1 principles found in each of the ICC codes. You had to have that certification to even schedule any more classes. To this day it was the most important class I ever took. After that, it was typically a progression based on the needs of the department but usually starting with the basics of the IRC and going from there. That state had "levels" of certification based on the the trade and scope of what would be inspected. You couldn't skip level one and go directly to level 2 or 3, and you could not inspect beyond your certification level in any given trade. In that state, IIRC, each cert. required a week long class, followed by an exam. I don't think you could just "test out". Best introduction to the business I have heard of. I hope they still do that.

In every AHJ since then, they also usually start with the IRC basics, but none have paid any attention to law and administration. I don't think the ICC has anything like that for certifications but they may cover it in various class offerings dealing with inspector skills. Never taken one of their inspector skills classes, but they seem like good idea for newbies to start from.

The best "training" will/should come from within.

 

[mtlogcabin]

The legacy codes where a combination of open and closed book test and twice as long as todays ICC and IAPMO test.

"Its not so much knowing the code, it's where to find the code in the book!"

If you don't know the code then you probably don't even know where to look in the book to verify that you are correct.
This forum is full of code knowledgeable individuals who get off track and focused on a code section that is misapplied or overlooked for the project they have.

 

[mtlogcabin]

To this day it was the most important class I ever took.

Every inspector should be required to take this course

Advanced Legal Aspects of Code Training: Administration for Building Officials and Inspectors - ICC

This course covers the terminology, concepts, and principles of legal issues that affect building officials and inspectors in the administration of their duties. It will assist the building official or...

www.iccsafe.org

 

[steveray]

None, I can train someone to be an inspector. I can't train personality and attitude.
My 2 best inspectors came from law enforcement. The 15 to 20 years experience they had in that field in dealing with the public and writing reports, their observation skills where second to none.

A certification just means they can pass an open book test. It is not a representation of an individuals ability to do the job

There is a line somewhere...IF you have the time to technically train someone it can work. It is way easier to train in code than it is to train out attitude....Where are they starting and where do you need them to be and how much can you invest...

 

[Joe.B]

The certifications are important, it's more than proving you can pass an open book test. But it is only one aspect of the job. What bothers me is the perception that having the minimum required certifications is enough. Many inspector positions I've seen advertised require the B1 (or J1) at or within 6-12 months of hire. Then they usually have a second required within 24 months of hire. A few have a third. In my opinion there should be eight required certs for a "combo" inspector.

The certifications show that you can navigate the code and get to the right answer, but they're also a credential that shows you're qualified to do the work. Inspectors are tasked with showing up at a jobsite with expertise. How else would you show that? Just tell them "I've been doing this for 30 years"?

 

[Joe.B]

 

[Inspector Gadget]

I find that many of my peers simply do not understand their roles in relation to the legal frameworks provided for them. Moreover, I remain deeply distressed by repeated statements from people who ought to know better like:
"If they don't call for an inspection, I don't have to go."
"Eh, I have no power to make them fix things. That's what my boss says, anyway."
and my favourite,
"It's got an engineer's stamp on it, so it's not my problem."

I could go on for hours.

 

[ICE]

Certifications used to have cachet. A big part of the exams were closed book. You had to know the code to pass. Inspectors earned respect. A lot has changed since I sat for those examinations.

 

[mtlogcabin]

• 19 certifications and I only took 12 exams (8 Legacy Codes 4 ICC) the other 7 are just fluff given out by the ICC
• 
  
• Certificates
  Certified Housing Code Official (expires 10/19/2027)
  
  Building Plans Examiner (expires 10/19/2027)
  
  Plumbing Plans Examiner (expires 10/19/2027)
  
  Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner (expires 10/19/2027)
  
  Certified Building Code Official (expires 10/19/2027)
  
  Mechanical Plans Examiner (expires 10/19/2027)
  
  Residential Energy Inspector/Plans Examiner (expires 10/19/2027)
  
  Mechanical Inspector (expires 10/19/2027)
  
  Plumbing Inspector (expires 10/19/2027)
  
  Certified Plumbing Code Official (expires 10/19/2027)
  
  Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector (expires 10/19/2027)
  
  Certified Building Official (expires 10/19/2027)
  
  Building Inspector (expires 10/19/2027)
  
  Zoning Inspector (expires 10/19/2027)
  
  Certified Mechanical Code Official (expires 10/19/2027)
  
  Residential Electrical Inspector (expires 10/19/2027)
  
  Building Code Specialist (expires 10/19/2027)
  
  Plumbing Code Specialist (expires 10/19/2027)
  
  Mechanical Code Specialist (expires 10/19/2027)

 

[ICE]

Last January I let 22 expire.

 

[Mr. Inspector]

They get what they pay for in inspectors. I would think where more qualifications that are needed to be an inspector the higher the pay is. But not sure.

 

[SCBO1]

Last January I let 22 expire.

I let some go too! Local chapter has backed off with training and I didn't want to pay out pocket to renew.

 

[Joe.B]

They get what they pay for in inspectors. I would think where more qualifications that are needed to be an inspector the higher the pay is. But not sure.

I wish it were so. From what I've seen, municipal inspector wages are primarily tied to the size and structure of the city staffing, which in turn is driven by local cost of living and population density.

In the Bay Area the cost of living is very high, and there are lots of municipalities all close together. Looks to be the same in LA areas, but I haven't looked too closely. A qualified inspector has many options, if they see a higher paying job next door, why wouldn't they go for it? If you live on the outskirts, it might be worth it to endure a significant commute to make higher wages.

If you live in a remote area without a large population, like I do, there is not many options. There are less than ten full-time building inspector positions in the entire area. Very rarely do any of them open up, and there are not any realistic options for commuting to get to areas with better pay.

The reality of municipal economics is that the larger the staff, the wider the pay scale needs to be. You have more steps along the way, and each has to make a little bit more than the one below it. Bottom line is that an inspector in the Bay Area could make twice as much as they could here, and they're not likely to be any more qualified.

 

[ICE]

I let some go too! Local chapter has backed off with training and I didn't want to pay out pocket to renew.

After three the cost jumps to $150 but ICC requires so many CEUs be from ICC itself and I didn’t have that. Being retired, I don’t have a need.

 

[ICE]

In the Bay Area the cost of living is very high

I got to the last round for assistant building official at South San Francisco. The pay was huge and I would have to commute from Bakersfield.