Qualification
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.

Scope of Practice by Qualification

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 a

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

1. Two years working as a Building Official 
2. Minimum of 120 field inspections completed