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Buildings don't take shape without a wide range of skilled trade professionals working together. Building officials, inspectors, and plan reviewers are integral to the construction industry, responsible for ensuring safety standards and building codes are met.

To become a building inspector in Virginia, you must first obtain a license from the state Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), tasked with certifying professionals who enforce the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). What licenses are available, and what are the requirements to obtain them?

Responsibilities of a Virginia Building Inspector

Virginia offers licenses for code officials and technical assistants, such as code inspectors and code plan examiners. You may obtain one or more licenses, depending on the work you hope to do.

Code officials hold the highest position within a building code compliance department, typically overseeing the department and managing inspectors, plan reviewers, and other staff.

Code inspectors conduct on-site assessments of construction projects to ensure they are following approved building plans and complying with safety standards and building codes.

Code plan examiners review building plans before construction begins to ensure compliance with applicable codes and approve plans. It's not unusual for professionals to obtain both code inspector and plan examiner licenses.

Requirements to Become a Licensed Building Inspector

Before you can obtain a code official license, you must complete five years of qualifying experience as a licensed professional, which could include:

• Engineer
• Architect
• Building, fire, or trade inspector
• Contractor
• Housing inspector
• Superintendent of building, fire, or trade construction

Alternatively, you may obtain a degree in architecture or engineering, followed by five years of qualifying building experience, including at least three years in responsible charge of work. Technical assistants need at least three years of qualifying experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Building construction
• Building, fire, or housing inspections
• Plumbing
• Electrical
• Mechanical
• Fire protection
• Elevators
• Property maintenance

A combination of education and experience may also be considered as fulfillment of these requirements, depending on the locality. For any code license, applicants must also pass the required state exams.

Understanding State Exams

Virginia does not administer state exams. Instead, code officials and technical assistants must take exams offered by the National Certification Program for Construction Code Inspectors (NCPCCI) or the International Code Council (ICC).

A building code official must pass the 3-part ICC Certified Building Official Exam, including portions covering management, legal aspects, and technical code application.

Residential building inspectors must pass the ICC B1 Residential Building Inspector Exam or the NCPCCI 1A Building Inspector One- and Two-Family Dwellings Exam. Commercial building inspectors must pass the ICC B2 Commercial Building Inspector Exam or the NCPCCI 1B Building Inspector General Exam.

Residential building plans examiners must pass the ICC R3 Residential Plans Examiner Exam, while commercial plans examiners must pass the ICC B3 Building Plans Examiner Exam or the NCPCCI 1C Building Plan Review Exam.

You must answer at least 70% of the questions correctly on NCPCCI exams to pass, and 70-75% on ICC exams, depending on the exam.

Exam Prep That Works for You

Working professionals enjoy the best chance for testing success with exam prep programs that offer the convenience of 24/7 online access for self-paced learning. If you're interested in becoming a building code official, code inspector, or code plan examiner in Virginia, contact RocketCert now to get started.