COQB - Apply for Certification

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) New Rules for Code Officials Effective January 1, 2025

Probationary or Standard Certificate?

You must be employed by a jurisdiction and have a Certificate of Employment Form to apply for either a Probationary or Standard certificate.

Use the Prequalify & Military web page if you are seeking employment for an advertised job as a code enforcement official.

Show NC Code Enforcement Employer List - J number

STEP 1. Apply online

  • Your application and supporting documents are reviewed by staff to determine if the education and experience you claim satisfies the requirements of the Trade and Level certification requested.
  • A Designated Technical Supervisor (DTS) may be required for Probationary employment - DTS FORM
  • A Letter of Technical Supervision may be required for Standard certificate application - List of Inspections Completed FORM
  • You will be notified by email to login to your online account and read the decision letter.
  • Your online record documents will include staff approval letters issued for a specific Trade and Level, Probationary or Standard Certificate.
  • Probationary certificates are only valid for three (3) years and may not be renewed or extended.
  • Standard certificates require six (6) hours of Continuing Education per Trade and must be renewed annually ($10).

Need assistance? Contact Terri Tart, Certification Administrator, terri.tart@ncdoi.gov

STEP 2.Enroll in Board Standard Certificate Course

  • Board courses are usually taken during the three (3) year Probationary certificate period.
  • ALL applicants for a Standard certificate must successfully complete the Board Law and Administration course and the Technical course by passing these End-of-Course tests with a score of 70.
  • A list of scheduled NC Community College Sponsored Board courses is available through Find A Class
  • After required courses and training is completed, exam eligibility can be issued.
  • You will be notified by email to login to your online account.
  • Your online record documents will include your exam eligibility letter issued for a specific Trade and Level Standard certificate.
  • Your exam eligibility must be electronically transmitted from NCDOI to PSI Services, LLC.

Need assistance? Contact Jennifer Hollyfield, Education Coordinator, jennifer.hollyfield@ncdoi.gov

STEP 3.Register for State Exam

  • Before you can register and pay to take the exam, your eligibility must be electronically transmitted from NCDOI staff to PSI Services, LLC.
  • Data transfers nightly from NCDOI to PSI Services, LLC.
  • Before testing read the Candidate Information Bulletin for specific instructions about how to register, what reference books may be used and other materials permitted or prohibited for each exam offered by the testing center, and how to request accommodations.
  • The Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB) contains all instructions needed to register for the exam through the PSI Services, LLC web site www.psiexams.com.
  • Use the Dedicated Phone number 855‐807‐3991 to schedule exams, ask questions, etc.
  • Chapter 3 Links to General Statutes for printing and inserting into your NC Administrative Code and Policies book
  • General Statutes Pertaining to Code Enforcement Officials (with NCGS 160D)
  • Approved Tabs for State Exam
  • State Exam Process and Criteria
  • After passing the State Exam the applicant must log into the system and apply for a Standard Certificate. This is not automatic.
  • If you fail an exam, you may schedule an exam review within 30 days of the exam date. Contact PSI directly per the directions in the Candidate Information Bulletin using the Dedicated Phone number 855‐807‐3991. The exam review process allows you to view questions you answered incorrectly and to submit written challenges to specific exam questions. These challenges are routed to the Code Consultants / Subject Matter Experts for review and determination. Correct answers are not provided. Sometimes credit is provided and exam scores are adjusted.

Need assistance? Contact Rich Hall, Examinations, rich.hall@ncdoi.gov

 

Read the bulletin below for the Trade you are interested in.

Need assistance? Contact: Terri Tart, Certification Administrator, terri.tart@ncdoi.gov

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

Tab/Accordion Items

Your CEO ID LOGIN requires a Username and Password.

Your Username is your CEO ID # not a certificate number.

You can look up your CEO ID # through the Directory. Enter your name and select other fields to narrow the search. Your CEO ID # (Username) will be in the first column.

Once you have your CEO ID # Username, then select Forgotten Password to reset.

If you are NOT already employed by a government jurisdiction then you may apply for Pre-Qualification for a Trade and Level.

Local government hiring managers often ask for evidence of Pre-Qualification when inspector positions are advertised.

Pre-Qualification guides applicants to take the appropriate Board course and State examination needed to qualify for a specific Trade and Level certification prior to becoming employed as a CEO. Applicants must meet at least one of the education and experience requirements listed in the Board’s statutes and rules. Application for any Trade and Level 1, 2 or 3 must include relevant supporting documentation.

Read the bulletin below for the Trade you are interested in.

How do I become a North Carolina Fire Inspector?

  • **NOTE** If you intend to use IFSAC accredited certification from DOD or any other IFSAC accredited entity to document your education and experience, you will need to include a copy of that agency's certification record or IFSAC verification. Applicants must request verification themselves using the IFSAC verification request form.

How do I become a North Carolina Building Inspector?

How do I become a North Carolina Electrical Inspector?

How do I become a North Carolina Mechanical Inspector?

How do I become a North Carolina Plumbing Inspector?

How do I become a North Carolina Residential Changeout Inspector (RCI)?

  • This is a new multi-trade certificate for residential appliance changeouts that requires successful completion of the Board course to pre-qualify BEFORE applying for either the Probationary or Standard Certificate. (NOTE: the RCI certificate application does not appear until you have a passing End-of-Course grade).
  • You may preview the course orientation here: 

North Carolina Residential Changeout Inspector.

  • Once employed by a local government, during the 6-month supervised probationary period, field training on a variety of appliance changeouts must be documented on the Performance Log.

If you ARE ALREADY employed by a government jurisdiction, you may apply for Probationary or Standard Certificate(s) with a Certificate of Employment for the Trade(s): Fire, Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, or Residential Changeout Inspector.

Anyone that has served in the military has demonstrated attention to detail, a sense of commitment to serve others and successfully complete education and training needed to perform a mission critical job. These qualities are exactly what it takes to be a building code official working for a local government! Most service men and women are planning to live somewhere in particular and then find a job. Many remain near their last post because that is where their friends are and have connections to the community. There are hundreds of North Carolina counties and cities that employ building code enforcement officials certified by the NC Code Officials Qualification Board. Salaries are competitive with other construction industry job depending upon the number and level of certifications attained and years of experience.

Even if you do not already have construction industry experience, you may be hired by a local government with probationary certification for three (3) years during which time you will get supervised On-the-Job-Training (OJT) and attend mandatory Board courses taught through the NC Community College System.

Session Law 2014-67 was enacted to enhance the effectiveness of Occupational Licensing of Military Service members, veterans and spouses. Please see the linked information sheet regarding military occupational specialties that may be credited toward experience and education requirements needed for certification as a code official.

The Board's Application and Evaluation Committee may make predeterminations for applicants with a criminal history per N.C. Gen. Stat. 93B-8.1. (b6) Notwithstanding any other provisions in the law, an individual with a criminal history may petition a board at any time, including before an individual starts or completes any mandatory education or training requirements, for a predetermination of whether the individual's criminal history will likely disqualify the individual from obtaining a license. This petition shall include a criminal history record report obtained by the individual from a reporting service designated by the board, the cost of which shall be borne by the applicant.

Staff decisions are reviewed by the Committee. A Board hearing may be requested if aggrieved by any final decision. N.C. Gen. Stat. 143-151.53  sets forth the denial and appeal process.  

The board requires applicants to disclose and consent to a criminal history record check pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 93B-8.1 Applicants may secure a complete criminal records check from several sources including:

The factors considered when making a determination of licensure including the following:

  • The level and seriousness of the crime.
  • The date of the crime.
  • The age of the person at the time of the crime.
  • The circumstances surrounding the commission of the crime, if known
  • The nexus between the criminal conduct and the prospective duties of the applicant as a licensee.
  • The prison, jail, probation, parole, rehabilitation, and employment records of the applicant since the date the crime was committed.
  • The completion of, or active participation in, rehabilitative drug or alcohol treatment.
  • A Certificate of Relief granted pursuant to G.S. 15A-173.2.
  • The subsequent commission of a crime by the applicant.
  • Any affidavits or other written documents, including character references.

All Standard Certificates on active status expire annually on June 30. The renewal period is between May 1 and June 30 for the following Fiscal Year. Each Standard Certificate requires 6 hours of Continuing Education (CE) and payment of a $10 fee that may be paid online.

Either a CEO or an AHJ Primary Contact can renew certificates.

Probationary Certificates are valid for 3 years and may not be renewed.

Use the CEO ID LOGIN to manage existing certifications, verify CE credits, pay renewal fees, or submit new applications.

Certificates may be placed on inactive status when not employed or performing code enforcement for a jurisdiction. Inactive certificates do not have to meet CE or pay a renewal fee. However, additional CE is required to return an inactive certificate to active status depending upon the duration. See NC Gen. Stat. 143-151.13A and 11 NCAC 08 .0714.

To re-activate inactive status certificates, CEOs must submit a current Certificate of Employment.

AHJs: Use the system log-in to manage the people and certifications linked to your jurisdiction, pay renewal fees, and submit Certificate of Employment (COE) forms for new employees.

Your Jurisdiction (J###) is your user name

How to print an invoice and pay for renewals

Certificates may be placed on inactive status when not employed or performing code enforcement for a jurisdiction.

Inactive certificates do not have to meet CE or pay a renewal fee.

However, additional CE is required to return an inactive certificate to active status depending upon the duration. To re-activate inactive status certificates, CEOs must submit a current Certificate of Employment.

See NC Gen. Stat. 143-151.13A and 11 NCAC 08 .0714.

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