Permit Technician Certificate Program

Discipline Focused Training to Assist Students in Preparing for ICC Certification

Designed for non-technical support staff or those wishing to change their career path to code enforcement, this program provides training on the basic code requirements of the permit technician and helps prepare individuals for national certification testing.

The first phase of the program (30 clock hours) begins with building a firm foundation on what basic code enforcement is, and ends with students being taught the basics of blueprint reading. Basic functions and typical procedures of a building department, including types of regulations, zoning aspects, planning, building codes, and local ordinances, are also presented.

Using well-illustrated workbooks that provide examples of common code situations with practical problem-solving applications, students enter the second phase of the program (24 clock hours) reviewing chapters of the International Building Code and International Zoning Code referenced by Permit Technicians. Instructors will emphasize intent and rationale of the code while working with difficult or unusual field situations, assisting students in identifying alternatives that satisfy the overall objective of the code.

The final phase of the program (6 clock hours) is an opportunity for students to take the knowledge they have learned during the program and apply it to a set of practice certification exam questions. Test taking strategies and certification exam preparation are taught, and once the practice test is complete, a qualified instructor will review the practice questions and offer assistance to students on taking the national certification test.

The Permit Technician Certificate Program fee includes all courses, required code books and workbooks, and practice tests. The program can be completed in one trimester, or a student may take up to 18 months to complete the program.

Basis/Code/Standard:

International Building Code, International Code Council – 2006 Edition
International Zoning Code, International Code Council – 2006 Edition
Legal Aspects of Code Administration, International Code Council, copyright 2002

Instructional Materials:

Basic Code Enforcement, International Code Council – 8th printing
Current edition of the International Building Code, International Code Council
Current edition of the International Zoning Code, International Code Council
Legal Aspects of Code Administration, International Code Council, copyright 2002
Understanding Basic Code Enforcement Workbook, BFCA copyright 2007
Understanding Building Department Basics Workbook, BFCA copyright 2006
Understanding Basic Blueprint Reading Workbook, BFCA copyright 2007
Understanding the 2006 International Building Code Workbook Parts I & V, BFCA copyright 2006
Understanding Legal Aspects of Code Administration Workbook, BFCA copyright 2004
Understanding the National Certification Exam Preparation & Test Strategies Workbook, BFCA copyright 2007
Handouts
Class will be lecture format using PowerPoint presentation

Suggested Order of Course Completion (Classes listed as 1 and 2 are interchangeable):

Basic Code Enforcement;
Building Department Basics;
Basic Blueprint Reading;
International Building Code – Parts I & V;
International Zoning Code;
Legal Aspects of Code Administration;
National Certification Exam Prep – to be completed after all core classes and electives are completed.

Total Class Hours: 60

Click here to view current class dates offered.

Cost: $2,500.00

All fees must be paid in full before the first class date.

Registration Fee:	$150.00
Tuition:	$1,745.00
Books:	$350.00
Supplies/Tools:	$255.00

Program Prerequisites:

High school diploma or GED required. Students may be required to provide proof upon request.

Enrollment:

Please contact a Building & Fire Code Academy administrative assistant to register for the Commercial Building Inspector Certificate Program or any other class you are interested in attending.
Certificate Programs must be completed within 18 months of the first class date.