How to Become a Building Inspector: What You Should Know

Building inspectors, also referred to as building surveyors or building control officers, are professionals who have special qualifications in building regulations and requirements. As a building inspector, your main role revolves around ensuring that both existing and new or developing buildings meet the structural requirements that ensure the safety of their occupants.

So then, what steps should you take to become a building inspector and thrive in your new career?

Research the Local Requirements for Becoming a Building Inspector

Your journey to becoming an established building inspector begins when you understand what’s required of you by the state. The training requirements for building inspectors will typically vary from one state to another, but in most cases, you should have graduated high school, completed the required hours of education where applicable, and worked under the supervision of a highly experienced building inspector.

Though checking your state’s licensing board’s website is a good way to learn more about the requirements so you can prepare adequately, you can make your work easier by leveraging education providers’ websites. As one of the leading providers of training and continuing education courses for different licenses, RocketCert can be a good place to learn more about the Building Inspector requirements in your state and get the help you need to acquire your license successfully.

Get a Relevant Education

This is often the most important part of your career journey. Taking this step will equip you with the skills you need to evaluate the interior and exterior condition of buildings as well as their mechanical systems. Courses generally cover a wide range of topics including wood frame inspection, masonry inspection, plumbing codes, electrical codes, and others.

Your state may require you to take courses that include mandatory and elective units. It’s up to you to decide what you are most interested in so you can choose the units that will guide your career path. Where possible, it’s always a good idea to take training programs that provide internships so you can gain some inspection experience.

Complete an Apprenticeship Program

It’s not uncommon for different states to require building inspectors to undergo an apprenticeship program as part of the requirements they should fulfill to acquire their license. Make sure you are riding with certified field inspectors and highly experienced inspector supervisors to gain the practical experience you need and increase your chances of understanding the documentation process.

You will mostly want to ensure you’re familiar with building codes and the regulations that govern the use of safety systems like fire exits, smoke detectors, and fire sprinklers. It may also be helpful to note that although you will spend a large portion of your day in the field, you will still have some time to learn about administrative and clerical office duties such as examining blueprints, writing reports, scheduling inspections, and others.

Pass a Certification Exam

As long as you’ve satisfied your state’s training and experience requirements, you can now move to the last step of acquiring your license, which is passing an exam to prove you have what it takes. Some states administer their exams, while others give examinations from trade associations like the International Code Council.

Either way, you don’t have to worry if you’ve prepared adequately, which is why it’s always a good idea to leverage the exam prep resources from an established course provider like RocketCert. Doing that gives you enough confidence as you prepare for the exams and can boost your knowledge so you can give the best results at work.

Fast-Track Your Career

There are lots of reasons that would make you want to get into building inspection as a career, but you’ve got to do it the right way if you want to enjoy every bit of your journey. Getting some help as you start your journey will go a long way toward helping you succeed and keep thriving in your new job or business.

By engaging experts in this field, such as the team at RocketCert, you can be sure it will only be a matter of time before you see tangible results. So, head over to rockertcert.com to learn more about building inspection and what RocketCert can do to optimize your journey to licensing.