Certification Program 

 If you are eligible for certification, please ensure to complete a certification application form (Form B)  If you have any questions, please contact your local area representative."

  Form B-English   Form B French

Certified Building Code Official
* Level I
* Level II
* Level III

Building Code Qualified Official
* Level I
* Level II
* Level III

Certification General Information

Certification Program

Members of the NBBOA are encouraged to continue to develop their professional knowledge and skills through a series of Association offered courses. A member may pursue certification through one of two designations:

Certified Building Code Official
Building Code Qualified Official
Each designation consists of three levels of achievement. Each certification level reflects the type of construction of buildings an individual is certified inspect.

Participation in the certification program is entirely voluntary. There are a number of factors which make certification desirable. These include, but are not limited to:

Certification provides the holder with an increased degree of credibility with his/her employer, the public and his/her peers.
Certification provides employers with a method of determining whether their building official(s) are capable and current in performing their required duties.
Certification ensures that building officials have sufficient knowledge and training to perform their duties.
Certification helps ensure that building standards are applied correctly and uniformly.
To be eligible for certification, a member must apply to the Certification Committee of the NBBOA in the required form and have completed the applicable certificate requirements.

Who Should Participate in the Certification Program?

The Certification Program has been designated as open to the following persons:

• Employees of municipal governments involved in the inspection of buildings.
• Employees of the provincial government involved in the inspection of buildings.
• Individuals who supervise persons involved in the inspection of buildings.
• Individuals who deal with issues and/or make decisions pertaining to building standards.
• Individuals interested in entering the field of building inspection.
• Individuals involved or interested in related areas. Summary of Available Certification Options

Certified Building Code Official (CBCO)

CBCO Level I:

Certified to Inspect: Up to four residential units and accessory building under Part Nine (9) of the National Building Code.

Certificate Requirements: Applicants must have a minimum of two (2) years work experience, be a NBBOA member in good standing and have successfully completed:

(i) Part Nine (9): The House
(ii) Legal Processes and Responsibilities
Content: Participants will study the responsibilities of the inspector in the performance of his/her duties and examine the legislative authority and legal process for administrating and enforcing By-Laws, Regulations and the National Building Code. The "House" concentrates on six (6) stages of construction including foundationns, framing, fireplaces/chimneys, insulation, and air/vapour barriers, interior and exterior.

CBCO Level II:

Certified to Inspect: All buildings covered under Part Nine (9) of the National Building Code

Certificate Requirements: Applicants must have a Level I Certificate, a minimum of four (4) years work experience, be a NBBOA member in good standing and have successfully completed:

(i) Part Nine (9): Technical Requirements Book I
(ii) Part Nine (9): Technical Requirements Book II
Content: Participants will study the plan reviewing process and the conducting of inspections related to the construction of buildings regulated under Part Nine (9) of the Code which are covered include fire separations, fire alarm systems, closures, fire resistant ratings, flame spread ratings and means of egress.

CBCO Level III

Certified to Inspect: All buildings under Part Three (3) of the National Building Code.

Certificate Requirements: Applicants must have a Level II certificate, a minimum of six (6) years work experience, be a NBBOA member in good standing and have successfully completed:

(i) Part Three (3): General
(ii) Part Three (3): Technical
Content: Participants will study in depth, plan reviewing, processing permits and inspections of buildings under Part Three (3) of the National Building Code. This program expands on the technical requirements and principles of Part Nine (9) and explores items such as fire walls, spatial separations, mezzanines, sprinklers, interconnected floor spaces and professional design requirements. Welded steel construction and mechanical systems will be discussed.

Building Code Qualified Official (BCQO)

BCQO Level I

Individuals are not certified to inspect buildings until they have acquired the work experience necessary to qualify for certification as a Certified Building Code Official.

Certificate Requirements: Applicants must be a NBBOA member in good standing and have successfully completed:

(i) Part Nine (9): The House
(ii) Legal Processes and Responsibilities
Content: Participants will study the responsibilities of the inspector in the performance of his/her duties and examine the legislative authority and legal process for administrating and enforcing By-laws, Regulations and the National Building Code. The "House" concentrates on six (6) stages of construction including foundations, framing, fireplaces/chimneys, insulation and air/vapour barriers, interiors and exterior.

BCQO Level II:

Individuals are not certified to inspect buildings until they have acquired the work experience necessary to qualify for certification as a Certified Building Code Official.

Certificate Requirements: Applicants must have a Level I (Building Code Qualified) certificate, be a NBBOA member in good standing and have successfully completed:

(i) Part Nine (9): Technical Requirements Book I
(ii) Part Nine (9): Technical Requirements Book II

Content: Participants will study the plan reviewing process and conducting inspections related to the construction of buildings regulated under Part Nine (9) of the National Building Code. Technical requirements under Part Nine (9) of the Code which are covered include fire separations, fire alarm systems, closures, fire resistant ratings, flame spread ratings and means of egress.

BCQO Level III

Individuals are not certified to inspect buildings until they have acquired the work experience necessary to qualify for certification as a Certified Building Code Official.

Certificate Requirements: Applicants must have Level II (BCQO) certificate, be a NBBOA member in good standing and have successfully completed:

(i) Part Three (3): General
(ii) Part Three (3): Technical

Content: Participants will study in depth, plan reviewing, processing permits and inspections of buildings under Part Three (3) of the National Building Code. This program expands on the technical requirements and principles of Part Nine (9) and explores items such as fire walls, spatial separation, mezzanines, sprinklers, interconnected floor spaces and professional design requirements. Welded steel construction and mechanical systems will be discussed.

Certification General Information

Definition

"Work Experience" is defined as "the time spent in an occupation closely related to the enforcement, administration or development of building codes and which is acceptable to the Education/Certification Committee" of the NBBOA.

Certifications

Certifications will be valid for a period of five (5) years from the date of issuance, provided membership in good standing, with dues paid on an annual basis, is maintained. Individuals who wish to retain their certification level will be required to apply for re-certification at the end of this period. To be eligible for re-certification, an applicant must apply in the prescribed form and attend information sessions on changes to the National Building Code which have occurred during their certification term.

The Executive Committee of the NBBOA, on the recommendation of the Certification Committee, is empowered to review, suspend or revoke any member's certification upon being satisfied that such action is in the best interest of the Association and its membership. Actions which may result in such steps being taken include, but are not limited to, situations where it has been established that:

1. An applicant made false or misleading statements in their applications or evidence of qualifications.
2. An applicant did not comply with the rules of a NBBOA offered course exam.
3. A member did not carry out their duties in a manner which would reasonably be expected of a NBBOA member.
4. A member has been convicted of a crime in connection with work performed under the member's certification.
5. A member performed any other action, in connection with work performed under their certification, which is deemed by the Certification and Executive Committees to be negligent or malicious.
   Appeals

In the event that an individual has concerns regarding any aspect of the certification process, he or she may appeal, in writing, to the Secretary of the Executive Committee within sixty (60) days of the circumstances giving rise to the complaint. The Secretary shall direct the matter to the Executive Committee for consideration. The decision of the Executive Committee will be final.

Certificate Issuance

Certificates for the various designations and levels of achievement will be issued at the NBBOA Annual General meeting.