I can vouch with this information. Thanks for this kind of content I was looking for to have the motivation to pursue this career move. I have one year to pass P1&P2 . Let's go!!!!
Great information. Thank you for this and other videos. You have helped me tremendously through my process of becoming a Buildings Inspector in my California city. I come from the "Jack of all trades" world and a couple owner-builds at my own house. Already being a city employee helped a bit too. I am preparing myself to take B-1 now. Again, thank you for the time you put into your videos.
I subscribed. Thanks for doing these. I’m finding them very helpful. I applied to a building inspection job that opened up near where I live. Hopefully it will go smooth. I have about 15 years of construction experience 12 as a commercial carpenter foreman, and a year as a superintendent with an associates degree in construction management, hoping that will at least get my foot in the door as it seems, they will hire with the qualifying factor of getting a certification within a year fingers crossed Found this to be really helpful as I want to get other certifications as well
North Carolina Department of Insurance now has a 2 year apprenticeship in conjunction with NC State University for building inspectors. It’s a training program that incorporates days in the field with days in class. They said that at the end of the 2 year program you will have Level 1 Certs in all four building trades. I start February 5th. 😎
Wow! That’s great. First I have heard of a university providing education for building code. If you think about it, let us know how its going and if you would recommend it to others! Good luck
@@buildingcodetips I absolutely will. NCDOI and NC STATE developed the program and are boasting a high success rate. As you say there is a demand and there are not a lot of people going after it. I’ll let you know how it goes.
It gives you a report at the end of a failed exam that tells you the areas you need to study.... they obviously won't tell you the exact question. Come on. These exams are gravy.
Hey Joseph, Thanks for the kind words! My knowledge in reinforced concrete masonry construction is limited. Its not a certification that our local area requires. Beyond the study material provided by ICC you might find a course at WC3 academy or reach out to some special inspector businesses to see what they may offer for employment and on the job training. In our area most concrete, rebar and cmu work is inspected by a special inspector who is certified for those inspections. Hope that helps a little!
The best study guide is spending time in the code book! But I also used the flash cards and the related study guide that can be found on the icc website when I was studying. These may be able to be found on amazon or somewhere else for cheaper. Though the icc webpage should show you all that is available. shop.iccsafe.org/
I believe so. There is usually an attachment to a question that might show only a corridor, staircase or a few rooms. Then the question might ask about path of egress distance, amount of exits required, rated assemblies, etc. The plan portion you need should be attached to that question though.
Really enjoy your videos Ben. Just recently took a job as the Code Administrator for the city that I grew up in. I also applied for the interim Building Official position which involves open book testing at a texting center. I believe that I’m required to use the 2019 RCO as my book. My question is am I allowed to put tabs on the book with notes and highlights on pages or is this book an unmarked original tabbed book.
Thanks for the kind words and congrats on the new position! I am not familiar with RCO, maybe its a specialty code for your area? Though, if it is regulated by icc you can write ink pen notes or highlight in your book. Tabs are allowed as long as they are permanent. Meaning that it would rip the page if removed. Here is the link: scroll to the bottom and hit the "exam resources/materials" tab. Hope that helps! www.iccsafe.org/professional-development/assessment-center/icc-exam-administrative-rules-and-procedures-2/
Ahh man, that sucks! I wish i had some good info for you but honestly I have never even heard of the soils plan reading exam. From my experience, the key to all ICC exams is being able to find the information fast in the code books associated with the exam. Wish I had some better info for you besides to keep studying.
@buildingcodetips Hey how's it going I'm having a similar issue with reinforced concrete plans exam, failed twice and am lost now as I've done all the training through Si Certs Is the soils plans harder than reinforced concrete
I passed the General Contractor exam a few months ago, my next step is the ICC R5 combo certification. Is the test basically open book and just looking up code requirements? I did a lot of that for the GC test, so I'm wondering if it is worth taking a class since I already have that familiarity? My background is as a Home Inspector for 20 years, as well as specialty contracting work. My goal is to use ICC certs to bolster credentials for both the GC and Inspection businesses. Thanks for the great video!
Congrats on passing the general contractors exam! Thats awesome. Yes, the ICC exams are all open book (at least all of the ones I have taken). Its more about being able to find the information in the book than memorizing it. Based on your background and already going through and passing the general contractors exam I am sure you can get through the R5 without taking a class. I didn't take any classes, just spent a lot of time in the code book.
Hey Ben thanks for the informative videos. I want to become a masonry special inspector, ICC site says masonry exam references ATSM standards. Is there a book of standards or must all of these ATSM standards be bought individually? There's quite a few required and they each cost $70 individually.
Hey Sam, that sounds cool! To be honest I have never gone down the special inspector path. Are you planning to start your own business or work for another company? May be able to reach out to one of the special inspector businesses about your intentions and they might help with study materials with the thought that you might work them. Might also send ICC an email asking them how to get the study materials without spending a fortune!! Good luck
I know this will get lost for sure. I am an architectural designer looking to make a change in my current career. I have pretty extensive knowledge in ICC specifically the IRC and IBC, is knowledge of the IECC, IMC, IPC, etc. required for these tests or will the IRC and IBC be sufficient enough?
Each section is tested separately. Visit iccsafe.org and look up the course materials for individual certifications for the IBC and IRC. There are a couple random books in there if I remember right but when I took the tests I used only the IRC and/or IBC depending on the certification I was going for. All the different codes are tested separately and for different items of service such as inspector or plan review.
Is it common to get a job as a level one inspector and act as essentially a trainee during the 12 month window you have to be certified? Im interested in building inspection but dont have relevant experience
It probably depends on how big the city or county is that you are applying at. I have seen where certifications are required before hire and others that will hire and train. My guess is that smaller cities and counties are more lenient. Might be worth jumping on your local city and county websites to see what they have for job openings!
Do I need to go to classes at a community college or can I study myself with the book ? I have 5 plus years project managing building new construction homes .
Self study is actually the best way to go in my opinion. The certification exams are really tailored to how well and how fast you can navigate the code book. I do believe there are classes available that some one could take either through a 3rd party or a college but it is not required or necessary if you are self motivated. iccsafe.org is where you can review the different exams as well as look at additional study material. I will say that the flash cards helped me out a lot.
Do these types of jobs drug test? I self-medicate for inflammation and was wondering if drug testing is usually part of the hiring whether it be governmental or from a contractor? Thanks
Hey PJ, I took that same exam a couple years back and all I used was the code book. There are a few identical chapters from the IBC if you happen to be familiar with that code book! I know ICC has some study materials such as flash cards and study guides which have worked for me in the past on other exams. Might be something to look into for this exam. I like to put the flash cards in my car and test myself while driving. Good luck!
Visit iccsafe.org. There is also upcodes.com. I dont know of anywhere to get them for free but there may be older code books that your building department might not need anymore.
I would go with whichever one you have already started to study. If you haven't started though then definitly work under the most current. Good Luck!!!
@@fmolina28 That's a good question! Now that the 2024 codes are out I would assume that the 2018 exams would drop off at some point. My gut would tell me that it will be a little while as I am sure they have to update all of the exams for the 2024 code but I am not sure.
@buildingcodetips awesome, one last question once you get a license with the ICC, how often do you have to retest or do you just pay a free to keep your license active.
hello, to keep your cert active continued education is required. For one cert I believe its 1.5 CEU’s or 15 hours of education every 3 years. 3 certs is like 3.5 CEU’s I think and so on. Usually your employer will help set up continued education and pay for it. Hope that helps!
The IFC (International Fire Code) has a lot duplicated information from the IBC. If you have worked in the code book at all it shouldn't be to much trouble. I don't have any fire fighter experience and I was able to pass the exam for certification with normal studying. As far as it being a good job, my opinion would be that it is right in line with a plans examiner except tailored towards fire related items such as exiting, how fire engines can get in and out, alarms, flammable products, storage, etc.
This certification is for becoming a building inspector. I do not believe that it would meet any state requirements for becoming a home inspector but I do not know for sure. A building inspector looks at work that is permitted through a local building department while a home inspector is called out when a home is ready to sell.
Hey Allen, Thanks for the comment! Give me a week or so and i will see if I can put something together about what it looked like for me on getting a construction management degree.
@@allenft8396 Hi Allen, here is a link to my video on getting a construction management degree. If this doesn't answer all of your questions feel free to reach out! I haven't made it public yet but thought I would send it along to you!! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-pA6Ge24x7fA.html
The process for getting certified to become a building inspector is generally the same across the board regardless of what state you live in. The codes may be different but studying code books and taking a test to get certified is pretty standard as far as I know. For home inspectors my understanding is that the requirements can change from state to state. Some states only require a business license while others might require some training or even a certification.
Get a copy of the Concrete Manual ACI 318-19, from ICC. They have some with commentary which can be helpful. Look into getting your prestressed concrete cert as well. A tip for employment, the fewest amount of special inspectors seems to be in structural welding and soils.
@@IsraelHernandez-zr7tk There are so many questions that can be asked, I am sure some carry over (the easy ones) but there are a lot that don't. Since the icc tests are open book the real goal is to be able to find anything you want in the book in a quick amount of time, say 3 or 4 minutes. When you get to that point your probably ready to take the test.
