Professional Studies Program

Building Officials are Qualified when they have completed the education requirements of the Nova Scotia Building Code Training and Certification Board. The requirements for training are outlined in NSBOA’s Professional Studies Program.

Effective April 1, 2008, Building Officials in Nova Scotia must be Qualified to administer and enforce the Nova Scotia Building Code.

The requirements for Qualification are consistent with the training requirements of the National Certification Model adopted in 2005 by the Alliance of Canadian Building Officials Association ( ACBOA ) and the Nova Scotia Building Officials Association.

Under our Code of Ethics, Building Officials will only be allowed to inspect buildings for which they are Qualified.

This means that a Qualified Building Official who has not completed the pre-requisite training for Level 2 Qualification cannot inspect buildings larger than 600M² (Part 9 scope).

When Level 2 Qualified Building Officials gain the necessary work experience, they can apply to become Level 2 Certified. Requirements for Certification in Nova Scotia exceed the minimum requirements for certification in the National Certification Model. Therefore, the difference between a Qualified and Certified Building Official is the work experience component.

The National Certification and Accreditation Model for the Professional Building Official is the document that oversees all aspects of National and Provincial Certification. It is consistent with the National Occupational Standard. The National Occupational Standard is the document that defines the Blocks, tasks and sub-tasks that define this occupation. These documents are the foundation for the qualification and certification of Building Officials.

To work as a Qualified Building Official in Nova Scotia, you must receive a Diploma of Qualification from the Nova Scotia Building Code Training & Certification Board (TCB) and be appointed by a municipality to administer and enforce the Nova Scotia Building Code Act.  Currently, there are three levels of Qualification and the Intern program.  Each level outlines the limits and the scope of practice for Qualified Building Officials as outlined in the Professional Studies Program and the Nova Scotia Building Act and regulations.

Intern Program – Field Inspections on NSBC Part 9, Group C single-storey accessory buildings and single-storey decks only. May accept building permit applications for intake.

Residential Qualification Program – Field inspections of 1 & 2 Unit Group C buildings, their accessory buildings and decks covered under NSBC Part 9.

Qualified Level 1 – All Part 9 buildings, as determined by the National Building Code of Canada, including all buildings of three storeys or less in building height, having a building area not exceeding 600 square metres [6,460 =/- sq. ft.], classified as:

1. residential occupancy,
2. business and personal services occupancy,
3. mercantile occupancy,
4. low and medium hazard industrial occupancy, also
5. assembly occupancies of not more than one storey in building height, having a building area of not more than 200 square meters, and
6. High-hazard industrial occupancy of not more than one storey in building height, having a building area of not more than 200 square meters.

Qualified Level 2 – No restrictions on scope of practice.

Certified Level 2 – Two years working as a Building Official. Minimum of 120 field inspections completed.

The Professional Studies Program

Successful completion of each level and appointment by a Municipality to work in the capacity of a Qualified Building Official means that scope may be carried out and enforced.

Each Level of Qualification has its scope of practice;

There are three levels of Qualification in the Professional Studies Program; Residential, Level 1, and Level 2.

NSBOA offers an Intern Level for individuals looking to become a Building Official but who may not have a professional or educational background in the trades, design, or engineering.

Level 2 Certification: Individuals who hold Level 2 Qualification will have the opportunity to apply for Level 2 Certification. This can be obtained through ample experience working as a Level 2 Qualified Building Official and conducting Level 2 Inspections.

Continuing Education Activities are defined as those activities which a Building Official undertakes for professional development in order to keep current and meet their responsibilities and duty of care to those they serve. These activities include learning through the following methods:

Core Education/credit – Structured programs offered by NSBOA and that may or may not have an evaluation process. Examples include courses, seminars, and/or workshops offered by NSBOA. This results in core education credits being granted.

Non Core Education/credit – Programs offered by an educational body or formalized organization that expand a Building Officials knowledge, skill or judgment. These may include attendance at conferences, industry trade shows, facilitating courses, workshops or lectures. These activities may take place within NSBOA but are most likely outside of our sphere. Activities in this category must be approved by the Education Committee of the Board of Directors of NSBOA and count toward non core credits.

Participation – Active participation and involvement in NSBOA committees, attendance at local zone meetings, and the holding of office within the association. These activities enable a building official to interact with peers and expose them to new ideas and technologies. This lends itself to the personal development of organizational skills, teamwork and awareness of the volunteer contributions to professional development.

Contribution to Knowledge – The preparation and/or publication of articles, research papers, codes, educational programs and manuals, and presentations which help expand a building official’s knowledge. These may or may not include peer-reviewed materials.

Approved Continuing Education Provider means an individual, company, and/or structured organization that offers education activities and whose program has been approved by the NSBOA Education Committee for credit.

Effective Date – Effective April 1, 2011, 30 Credit Points of documented professional continuing education activities are required for each 5-year cycle and must be related to the specifics of building inspection, code administration or plans examination job functions.

Credit Assignment – During each five (5) year reporting period, NSBOA will identify various programs as Core Education Activities. NSBOA will offer these and will have a credit number assigned to them.

For non-core credits, approval must be obtained by either the Education Committee of the Board of Directors or the Board of Directors themselves. To facilitate the assignment of a credit number, an individual needs to submit the following information either to the Chair of the Education Committee or the Association Director:

• Name of course and/or program;
• Provider of course/program;
• Delivery method;
• Course/program outline; and,
• The duration of the activity is not evident in the outline, as requested above.

Once this information is received, it will be circulated to the appropriate group within NSBOA for evaluation. If further information is required, it will be requested from the individual putting forth the file.

It should be noted that members will be responsible for tracking their progress as it relates to accumulating credits. Toward the end of the five-year cycle, members must present proof of their attendance and/or participation for all core and non-core credits.

Continuing Education Credits encompass technical and non-technical skills and are vital for developing and maintaining competency. NSBOA Continuing Education Credits are designed to encourage building officials to maintain and expand their knowledge of codes, standards, technology and standards of practice.