The long & winding road to CBO

[Bootleg]

What would be the best certification path to becoming an Certified Building Official?

 

[fatboy]

What is your goal? Just to have the cert? You can take the Technical test (codes), and the legal/admin test, and obtain the cert. Or, if you can take all the individual certs and bypass the technical test. I took this path and feel that it gives you a deeper understanding of all the codes. But, that's JMHO.

Good Luck!

 

[Bootleg]

What is your goal?

Will that is a good question?

Will it’s not to have it to hang on the wall.

To be able to know where to find the answer to a code question and be conciseness.

For example:

A thread this last week on ramps and handrails.

To know to look other places in the code for the full answer.

Like Ramps and changes in elevation.

 

[fatboy]

I hope you didn't take that wrong, sometimes it's a job requirement and someone needs to get it, just to have it.

Based on your reply, I would suggest taking the individual certs to obtain your Combination Inspector cert, not knocking the Tech exam, but you are getting far fewer questions in each of the codes. Then take the legal/admin test to complete the CBO.

Again, JMHO

 

[Bryan Holland]

I feel the most "pure" path is to take all 4 residential inspector exams, all 4 commerical inspector exams, all 4 plans examiner exams, and then sit for the CBO exams.

I personally completed the 3 electrical exams and fire I before getting the CBO cert. The goal wasn't CBO at the time but rahter ECO. It wasn't until a state sanctioned cross-training program was enacted that I began training and education myself in the other trades and I began working on those certifications.

The goal (addiction) now is MCP...

 

[Builder Bob]

Best route to take to ensure adequate knowledge (of the codes) is similar to Bryan Holland's approach. I was certified as a residential, commercial inspector, then took 5 plans examiners before I took the CBO exam. I do not put alot of faith in the technology exam --- since I have seen perople take this exam five times and finally passed.....

 

[vegas paul]

I agree that taking all the individual exams as Bryan suggested is the best way to go (that's what I did!). However, it gets pricey... Please get prior approval from your employer and ensure that they will reimburse, otherwise you could go seriously into debt before you are finished.

 

[mtlogcabin]

To be able to know where to find the answer to a code question and be conciseness.

That comes from time and research. All certification testing will help you achieve the knowledge of working thru the codes.

When I took my CBO test the technical and legal/admin test was the only way. I already had my SBCCI bldg, mech, plumb, and residential electrical inspector certs but they did not count towards the CBO.

 

[Inspector Gift]

I agree with the others. And Paul is correct, if you are hoping to have your jurisdiction reimburse you, then check with them first. Ask their advice. It is expensive. ...But well worth the effort.

:^ )

 

[peach]

If all you need is CBO, just sit for that exam.

If you really want to understand codes, take Bryan's approach (which is the same as most of us have done).. you will end up with MCP as well as CBO. The MCP is the highest certification you can have.

Even is your jurisdiction (or business) doesn't reimburse you.. these are YOUR certifications.. not theirs. It's worth the investment if you are in Codes for the long haul.

 

[Uncle Bob]

I too agree; take them all if you want to know what your doing; from the bottom up.

I have paid for 90% of all my seminars, courses (including CEU courses) and exams; including leave without pay to attend seminars; and, as Peach said; "They are mine!"

ICC is a little wierd. I have all the Plumbing Certs and passed the administraion exam for CBO; but, can't get the Plumbing Code Official Certification without taking the technical part of the CBO exam; and this doesn't make sense to me.

So, you can take the two CBO Exams and be a Certified Building Official; but, you can't take all the certs in one field, pass the admin exam for CBO and be a Certified Plumbing Official.

Enough of my pouting; take them all and be proud of the knowledge you will accrue.

Uncle Bob

 

[RJJ]

I agree with the above, but just lost interest in the cash cow system.

 

[Yankee]

At whatever knowledge level one takes the CBO, that doesn't mean the learning stops. I have only 3 other certs and a CBO, but I continue to learn the other subjects through daily experience which is how one learns enough to pass any of the exams anyway. Having said that, my feeling is that the CBO is meant to be more of an administrative certification with generalized knowledge and can be a stand alone cert especially in large departments that have specialists in the field on inspection.

It then becomes a matter of managing the knowledge base in the department.

 

[vegas paul]

Someone recently put it very succinctly to me... "Every certification I get is another license to start learning". I have borrowed that thought and taken it as my own.

 

[Yankee]

Someone recently put it very succinctly to me... "Every certification I get is another license to start learning". I have borrowed that thought and taken it as my own.

Nice! I like that ~

 

[Alias]

Someone recently put it very succinctly to me... "Every certification I get is another license to start learning". I have borrowed that thought and taken it as my own.

Good quote!

As to certification, my boss is funding me for all the certs that I want to get. It might take a few years due to budgetary constraints but, I feel it will be worth it in the long run.

Sue, IBC, UBC, CBC, CMC, and counting.................

 

[peach]

Vegas..

I have a little different take.. don't take the certification test, until you have the experience and knowledge to actually perform the job.

I wish I had followed that advise.. I have a bunch of certifications, but continue to learn how to apply the Code in the field.

 

[Yankee]

Vegas..I have a little different take.. don't take the certification test, until you have the experience and knowledge to actually perform the job.

I wish I had followed that advise.. I have a bunch of certifications, but continue to learn how to apply the Code in the field.

Certification or not, the learning of the codes happens in the field and there are many "levels" of experience and knowledge to do the job. We all start out with less experience and knowledge than we end up with. Hopefully. Take the cert testing whenever you'd like. Take it right off to see where you stand. Do we agree that without a certain (minimum, if you'd like) level of knowledge learned through experience, one cannot pass the testing? Peach, I think it was you who said something along the lines of one has to answer about half the questions right off the bat to even hope for a passing grade. I would agree with that.

 

[vegas paul]

I never stop learning. It's just that getting a new certification reminds me to kick-start my learning to justify it before I even think about hanging it on my wall!

 

[peach]

Hi Yankee,

I believe what I said was you should be able to answer about 1/2 the questions off the bat... and I know plenty of multi-certified "inspectors" who can't inspect their way out of a paperbag (with a code book and scissors).. and I wouldn't hire them.

 

[Yankee]

Yes, I recall you saying about 1/2. There are a number of skills related to the job, and inspecting is one area (and plan reading another, enforcement another etc etc). One can excel in one area and not have developed the skills quite so well in another area. So the assignment would be to provide opportunities for those who can't inspect to develop their inspection skills. I really don't think this is a "certificates aren't worth the paper they are printed on" issue, those inspectors you wouldn't hire would do an equally poor job inspecting if they DIDN'T have certs.