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Course Descriptions
Building Code Official (BCO) Certification Course
Designed for the person who will be the chief administrator, manager, or director of any code program. Under the UCC, any municipality or third-party agency operating a building code enforcement program must have employed at least one person certified or registered with the Department of Labor & Industry as a Building Code Official. He or she will be responsible for the management of code enforcement activities, the supervision of building inspectors or plans examiners, the issuance of building permits, occupancy permits, notice of violations and orders to vacate, and the initiation of prosecutions.
The course prepares attendees to take the BCO exam, which is offered at the conclusion of the presentation as part of the course. After the exam scores are tallied, PSATS will notify each test-taker by mail as to his or her results. Those that pass the BCO exam must apply to the Department of Labor & Industry for BCO certification using the standard Application for Certification form. This form is available in the L&I Uniform Construction Code Certification Booklet, which is provided in each student folder at every PCCA workshop. A downloadable copy of the booklet can be found on L&I's Website at www.dli.state.pa.us. You may also request a copy by contacting L&I via the information below:
UCC Certification Administrator
Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety
PA Department of Labor and Industry
1613 L & I Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
717-787-3323
The goal of the course is to help attendees:
- Understand key administrative and enforcement provisions under the Uniform Construction Code (Act 45)
- Correctly interpret the enforcement rules and regulations of the Act
- Quickly and authoritatively reference sections in the Act and its regulations
- Understand the duties, responsibilities, and powers of a Building Code Official (BCO)
All required course and exam materials are provided onsite.
Course Schedule:
8:00 a.m. Registration
8:30 a.m. Morning session
Noon Lunch (provided)
1:00 p.m. Afternoon session
3:30 p.m. Certification exam
5:30 p.m. Adjourn
Credit Hours: 6
Cost: $95.00 for all (Includes all course materials, refreshments, lunch, and examination fees).
Note: Course attendance is not mandatory for BCO certification. The cost to register for the exam only is $75.00, however you will still need to pre-register for the exam by choosing one of the advertised course locations. The examination begins at 3:30 p.m. on the day of an advertised course; walk-ins will not be accepted since an exam is being administered.
Building Code Official (BCO) Re-Test
This is the full-day session that you have already participated in. If you wish to participate in the entire presentation again, the cost is $95.00, which includes the examination. If you wish to only repeat the examination, exam registration begins at 3:15 p.m. at any of the classes listed below. If just taking the exam, you will join the class when they break from the course presentation at approximately 3:30 p.m. and them reconvene as one large group within the classroom where the exam will be administered to all.
Course Schedule:
8:00 a.m. Registration
8:30 a.m. Morning session
Noon Lunch (provided)
1:00 p.m. Afternoon session
3:30 p.m. Certification exam
5:30 p.m. Adjourn
All required course and exam materials are provided onsite.
Credit Hours: 6
Cost: $95.00 (class + exam); $75.00 (exam only)
Residential Certification Courses
In order to provide top-quality certification courses in the residential categories, the Academy is in partnership with the Pennsylvania Housing Research Center (PHRC) to provide experienced, certified code-enforcement professionals who are also highly trained educators. Together, PCCA and PHRC are developing training materials geared specifically for code-enforcement officials.
Residential Energy Inspector / Plans Examiner
This one-day course will explain and discuss in detail the duties and responsibilities of a Residential Energy Inspector / Plans Examiner and help prepare students to take the Residential Energy Inspector / Plans Examiner Certification Examination. Course content includes:
- General Plans and Inspection
- Alterations, Additions, and Changes in Use of Occupancy
- Building Envelope
- Mechanical Systems
- Electrical Power and Lighting
All attendees are required to have on hand the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code (2003 IECC). Although the 2003 International Residential Code (2003 IRC) is not required for this course, it is recommended that students become familiar with the text. Click here for a printable copy of the PCCA book ordering form.
Course Schedule:
8:00 a.m. Registration
8:30 a.m. Morning session
NOON Lunch (provided)
1:00 p.m. Afternoon session
5:00 p.m. Adjourn
Credit Hours: 7
Cost: $150 Municipal Discount; $250 General Registration
Residential Building Inspector
This two-day course will explain and discuss in detail the duties and responsibilities of a Residential Building Inspector and help prepare students to take the Residential Building Inspector Certification Examination. Course content includes:
- Code Administration
- Building Planning
- Footings and Foundations
- Floor Construction
- Wall Construction and Covering
- Roof-Ceiling Construction
- Public Safety
All attendees are required to have on hand the 2003 International Residential Code (2003 IRC). Click here for a printable copy of the PCCA book ordering form.
Course Schedule (both days):
8:00 a.m. Registration
8:30 a.m. Morning session
NOON Lunch (provided)
1:00 p.m. Afternoon session
4:30 p.m. Adjourn
Credit Hours: 12
Cost: $195 Municipal Discount; $295 General Registration
Residential Plumbing Inspector
This two-day course will explain and discuss in detail the duties and responsibilities of a Residential Plumbing Inspector. The course should also help prepare students to take the Residential Plumbing Inspector Certification Examination. Course content includes:
- General Requirements
- Fixtures and Water Heaters
- Water Supply and Distribution
- Sanitary Drainage
- Vents
All attendees are required to have on hand the 2003 International Residential Code (2003 IRC). Click here for a printable copy of the PCCA book ordering form.
Course Schedule (both days):
8:00 a.m. Registration
8:30 a.m. Morning session
NOON Lunch (provided)
1:00 p.m. Afternoon session
4:30 p.m. Adjourn
Credit Hours: 12
Cost: $195 Municipal Discount; $295 General Registration
Residential Mechanical Inspector
This two-day course will explain and discuss in detail the duties and responsibilities of a Residential Mechanical Inspector. The course should also help prepare students to take the Residential Mechanical Inspector Certification Examination. Course content includes:
- General Administration
- Heating, Cooling Equipment, Water Heaters
- Exhaust Systems and Duct Systems
- Combustion Air
- Chimneys and Vents
- Fuel Supply Systems
All attendees are required to have on hand the 2003 International Residential Code (2003 IRC). Click here for a printable copy of the PCCA book ordering form.
Course Schedule (both days):
8:00 a.m. Registration
8:30 a.m. Morning session
NOON Lunch (provided)
1:00 p.m. Afternoon session
4:30 p.m. Adjourn
Credit Hours: 12
Cost: $195 Municipal Discount; $295 General Registration
Residential Electrical Inspector
This two-day course will explain and discuss in detail the duties and responsibilities of a Residential Electrical Inspector and help prepare students to take the Residential Electrical Inspector Certification Examination. Course content includes:
- General Requirements and Services
- Branch Circuits and Feeders
- Wiring Methods and Power and Lighting Distribution
- Devices, Lighting Fixtures and Appliances
- Swimming Pools and Similar Installations
All attendees are required to have on hand the 2003 International Residential Code (2003 IRC). Click here for a printable copy of the PCCA book ordering form.
Course Schedule:
8:00 a.m. Registration
8:30 a.m. Morning session
NOON Lunch (provided)
1:00 p.m. Afternoon session
4:30 p.m. Adjourn
Cost: $150.00 Municipal Discount; $250 General Registration
Commercial Certification
Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner
This two-day course will explain and discuss in detail the duties and responsibilities of an Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner and help prepare students to take the Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner Certification Examination. This particular category is the only certification category under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (Act 45 of 1999), which cannot be "grandfathered." Any code official wishing to perform inspections or plans review related to accessibility must be certified in this category. For a definition of "grandfathering" please consult our UCC Help Page.
Course content includes:
- General Administration
- Scoping Provisions
- Building Blocks
- Accessible Routes
- General Site and Building Elements
- Communications Elements
- Special Rooms and Built-In Furnishings
- Type-A and Type-B Dwelling Units
All attendees are required to have on hand the 2003 International Building Code (2003 IBC) and the 1998 ICC/ANSI-A117.1. Click here for a printable copy of the PCCA book ordering form.
Course Schedule (both days):
8:00 a.m. Registration
8:30 a.m. Morning session
NOON Lunch (provided)
1:00 p.m. Afternoon session
4:30 p.m. Adjourn
Credit Hours: 12
Cost: $195 Municipal Discount; $295 General Registration
Commercial Building Inspector
This three-day course will explain and discuss in detail the duties and
responsibilities of a Commercial Building Inspector and help prepare students to take the Commercial Building Inspector Certification Examination. Course content includes:
- General Introduction to the IBC
- Use and Occupancy
- Existing Structures
- Means of Egress
- Types of Constructions
All attendees are required to have on hand the 2003 International Building Code (2003 IBC) and a calculator. Click here for a printable copy of the PCCA book ordering form.
Course Schedule (each day):
8:00 a.m. Registration
8:30 a.m. Morning session
NOON Lunch (provided)
1:00 p.m. Afternoon session
4:30 p.m. Adjourn
Credit Hours: 18
Cost: $295 Municipal Discount; $325 General Registration
For any additional questions about the Academy or construction codes training, contact:
PSATS
4855 Woodland Drive
Enola, PA 17025-1291
Phone: 717-763-0930
Fax: 717-763-9732
E-mail: mkraemer@psats.org
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