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Building Code Administrators & Inspectors

Building Code Administrators & Inspectors

Stacey Buccieri, interim Executive Director

The Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board is responsible for licensing and regulating building code administrators, building code inspectors, and building code plans examiners. The board meets regularly to consider applications for licensure, to review disciplinary cases, and to conduct informal hearings relating to licensure and discipline. The board engages in rulemaking to implement the provisions set forth in its statutes and conducts other general business, as necessary.

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Getting Started in Building Code Administrators & Inspectors

Building Code Administrator

BU – A “building code administrator” or “building official” means any of those employees of municipal or county governments with building construction regulation responsibilities who are charged with the responsibility for direct regulatory administration or supervision of plan review, enforcement, or inspection of building construction, erection, repair, addition, remodeling, demolition, or alteration projects that require permitting indicating compliance with building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, gas, fire prevention, energy, accessibility, and other construction codes as required by state law or municipal or county ordinance. This term is synonymous with “building official” as used in the administrative chapter of the Standard Building Code and the South Florida Building Code. One person employed by each municipal or county government as a building code administrator or building official and who is so certified under this part may be authorized to perform any plan review or inspection for which certification is required by this part.

Building Code Inspector

BN – A “building code inspector” means any of those employees of local governments or state agencies with building construction regulation responsibilities who themselves conduct inspections of building construction, erection, repair, addition, or alteration projects that require permitting indicating compliance with building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, gas, fire prevention, energy, accessibility, and other construction codes as required by state law or municipal or county ordinance.  Categories of building code inspectors include building inspector, plumbing inspector, mechanical inspector, electrical inspector, coastal construction inspector, commercial electrical inspector, residential electrical inspector, electrical inspector, and 1&2 family dwelling inspector.

Plans Examiner

PX – A “plans examiner” means a person who is qualified to determine that plans submitted for purposes of obtaining building and other permits comply with the applicable building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, gas, fire prevention, energy, accessibility, and other applicable construction codes. Categories of plans examiners include building plans examiner, plumbing plans examiner, mechanical plans examiner, and electrical plans examiner.

Residential Pool Inspector

SRP – A “residential pool inspector” means a person who is qualified to inspect a pool on the property of one and two family dwellings. In order to obtain this voluntary certification the Board will require the State certified pool contractor license and in addition, the applicant must hold certification as a building or electrical inspector.

Commercial Pool Inspector

SCP – A “commercial pool inspector” means a person who is qualified to inspect a pool located on any property other than one and two family dwellings. In order to obtain this voluntary certification the Board will require the state certified pool contractor license and in addition, the applicant must hold certification as a building, plumbing, mechanical, or electrical inspector.

Roofing Inspector

SRI – A “roofing inspector” means a person who is qualified to inspect residential and commercial roofs. In order to obtain this voluntary certification the Board will require either: four (4) years of roofing experience with passage of the standardized roofing inspectors’ examination as approved by the board; state certification as a roofing contractor or a state certified general contractor who was certified prior to 1974.

Modular Inspector

SMI – A “modular inspector” means a person who is authorized to inspect any manufactured (modular) building and systems incorporated therein designed and built to comply with the Florida Building Code pursuant to Part I, Chapter 553, F.S. In order to obtain this voluntary certification, the Board will require the applicant to pass the standardized modular inspectors’ examination and the applicant must have three (3) years experience as an inspector with local government and/or state government or three years experience as an inspector with an independent inspection/plans review agency under contract with a state agency or three (3) years experience as a registered or certified state general, building, or residential contractor or job superintendent, project manager or quality control manager, the latter as provided for in Chapter 9B-1, F.A.C., in a supervisory capacity that included operational control and direction of building, mechanical, electrical and plumbing personnel or subcontractors on residential or commercial projects.

Modular Plans Examiner

SMP – A “modular plans examiner” means a person who is authorized to review plans for any manufactured (modular) building and systems incorporated therein designed and built to comply with the Florida Building Code pursuant to Part 1, Chapter 553, F.S. In order to obtain this voluntary certification, the Board will require the applicant to pass the standardized modular plans inspectors’ examination and the applicant must have three (3) years experience as a plans examiner with local and/or state government. As an alternative, the applicant must have three (3) years experience as a plans examiner with an independent inspection/plans review agency under contract with a state department or three (3) years experience as a registered or certified state general, building, or residential contractor or job superintendent, project manager or quality control manager, the latter as provided for in Chapter 9B-1, F.A.C., in a supervisory capacity that included operational control and direction of building, mechanical, electrical and plumbing personnel or subcontractors on residential or commercial projects.

Residential Plans Examiner

RPX – A “residential plans examiner” means a person who is qualified to determine that the plans submitted for the purpose of obtaining building and other permits, for one and two family dwellings and accessory structures, comply with the building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, gas, fire prevention, energy, accessibility, and other applicable building codes. In order to obtain this voluntary certification, the applicant must hold standard certification as residential inspector; must have passed the State principles and practices examination; and holds certification as an International Code Council (ICC) Residential Plans Examiner.

Building code administrators, building officials, building inspectors, and plans examiners are generally employed by county and municipal governments. In some cases they are private providers. However, both government employees and private providers must be licensed.

The requirements for becoming licensed in Florida are described in the statutes and rules.  Choose a license type to apply.

Provisional Certificates

Examination Information

Applicants seeking licensure by examination must take and pass a technical examination administered by the International Code Council that is related to their category of licensure, as well as the Florida principles and practices examination. Information regarding technical examinations can be found on the International Code Council website.

DBPR offers the Florida principles and practices examination in a computer-based testing (CBT) format. Candidates who have been approved to sit for an examination may do so by contacting the department’s examination vendor, Pearson VUE. Examinations are available on a daily basis at testing sites throughout the world. For more information, including to schedule an examination, visit the Examination Information page.

Fee Waiver Applications


Building Code Administrators, Inspectors, Plans Examiners

Licenses expire November 30th every odd year.

DBPR will send you a notification that the renewal period is open, at which time you can renew your license(s). This will be 90-120 days before the expiration. All notices will be provided via email. We encourage you to keep your information up-to-date and renew online. DBPR online services offer a quick and easy way to renew your license, find license requirements, apply for a license and update a license.

Before midnight EST on November 30, 2023, you will need to complete the following requirements to renew your license:

  • Complete the continuing education requirement; and
  • Pay the renewal fee

See the “CE Requirements” tab for further information on Continuing Education to renew your license.

For more information concerning your license’s unique requirements, please click the relevant link below:


Continuing Education Providers

Continuing Education Provider licenses expire May 31st every odd year.

DBPR will send you a notification that the renewal period is open, at which time you can renew your license. This will be 90-120 days before the expiration. All notices will be provided via email. We encourage you to keep your information up-to-date and renew online. DBPR online services offer a quick and easy way to renew your license, find license requirements, apply for a license and update a license.

Before midnight EST on May 31, 2023, you will need to complete the renewal requirements. For more information, please click this link:
Renewal Information For CE Providers


We encourage you to renew online. However, you can mail your renewal form and fee to:
Department of Business and Professional Regulation
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783

Print a Blank Renewal Form


Education Course Lists

You may also use the department’s Find a CE Course tool to locate specific subject areas or course topics.

License Types Continuing Education Requirements Fee Expiration Date
Inspector 14 hours – a minimum of two hours of energy conservation, one hour in the area of accessibility, two hours in the area of Florida laws and rules (other than accessibility and ethics) and one hour in the area of ethics. $5.00 11/30/every odd year
Plans Examiner 14 hours – a minimum of two hours of energy conservation, one hour in the area of accessibility, two hours in the area of Florida laws and rules (other than accessibility and ethics) and one hour in the area of ethics. $5.00 11/30/every odd year
Building Code Administrator 14 hours – a minimum of two hours of energy conservation, one hour in the area of accessibility, two hours in the area of Florida laws and rules (other than accessibility and ethics) and one hour in the area of ethics. $5.00 11/30/every odd year
Limited Inspector 14 hours – a minimum of two hours of energy conservation, one hour in the area of accessibility, two hours in the area of Florida laws and rules (other than accessibility and ethics) and one hour in the area of ethics. $5.00 11/30/every odd year
Limited Plans Examiner 14 hours – a minimum of two hours of energy conservation, one hour in the area of accessibility, two hours in the area of Florida laws and rules (other than accessibility and ethics) and one hour in the area of ethics. $5.00 11/30/every odd year
Provisional Certificates N/A Non-renewable 2 years from date of issuance

Need Help?

All requests for publications, documents, forms, applications for licenses, permits and other similar certifications can be obtained by contacting the Customer Contact Center.

Division of Professions
Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0791

Telephone: 850.487.1395
Facsimile: 850.488.8040