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CREDENTIALING

Combination Designations

Proficiency and flexibility in diverse building safety disciplines, which opens many doors to a wide array of job opportunities.

Inspector

Combination Inspector

Code Specialist

Code Professional

Achieving an ICC Combination Designation demonstrates your proficiency and flexibility in diverse building safety disciplines, which opens many doors to a wide array of job opportunities. Candidates must pass exams, hold a current certification in the prerequisite categories listed below and meet applicable requirements for the corresponding designation.

Inspector Designations

An Inspector Designation is automatically granted after a candidate obtains certification as both a residential and commercial inspector in a specific trade.

man in yellow vest holding clip board and inspecting plumbing

Types

Type Inspector

B5 Building Inspector

Exam ID/Prerequisite Exam/Certification(s)

B1 Residential Building Inspector
B2 Commercial Building Inspector

Type Inspector

E5 Electrical Inspector

Exam ID/Prerequisite Exam/Certification(s)

E1 Residential Electrical Inspector
E2 Commercial Electrical Inspector

Type Inspector

M5 Mechanical Inspector

Exam ID/Prerequisite Exam/Certification(s)

M1 Residential Mechanical Inspector
M2 Commercial Mechanical Inspector

Type Inspector

P5 Plumbing Inspector

Exam ID/Prerequisite Exam/Certification(s)

P1 Residential Plumbing Inspector
P2 Commercial Plumbing Inspector

Combination Inspector Designations

A Combination Inspector Designation is automatically granted after a candidate obtains certification in plans examination, residential inspection, and/or commercial inspection in a specific trade.

Types

Type Combination Inspector

R5 Residential Combination Inspector (RCI)*

Exam ID/Prerequisite Exam/Certification(s)

B1 Residential Building Inspector
E1 Residential Electrical Inspector
M1 Residential Mechanical Inspector
P1 Residential Plumbing Inspector

*To obtain the RCI Certification, read more

NOTE: To obtain the Residential Combination Inspector (RCI) Certification, completion of the four Residential Inspector certifications is required. ICC does not recognize prior inspector certifications issued by any of the model code organizations (MCO) as equivalent to the four ICC residential inspector certifications, as the scope of these prior MCO inspector examinations was very limited in the area of residential inspection. This ICC policy is directed by the ICC Certification Committee (CC).

Type Combination Inspector

C5 Commercial Combination Inspector

Exam ID/Prerequisite Exam/Certification(s)

B2 Commercial Building Inspector
E2 Commercial Electrical Inspector
M2 Commercial Mechanical Inspector
P2 Commercial Plumbing Inspector

Type Combination Inspector

C8 Combination Inspector (CI)

Exam ID/Prerequisite Exam/Certification(s)

B1 Residential Building Inspector
B2 Commercial Building Inspector
M1 Residential Mechanical Inspector
M2 Commercial Mechanical Inspector
E1 Residential Electrical Inspector
E2 Commercial Electrical Inspector
P1 Residential Plumbing Inspector
P2 Commercial Plumbing Inspector

Type Combination Inspector

C3 Combination Plans Examiner

Exam ID/Prerequisite Exam/Certification(s)

B3 Building Plans Examiner
E3 Electrical Plans Examiner
M3 Mechanical Plans Examiner
P3 Plumbing Plans Examiner

Type Combination Inspector

I5 California Commercial Combination Inspector

Exam ID/Prerequisite Exam/Certification(s)

I1 California Commercial Building Inspector
I2 California Commercial Electrical Inspector
I3 California Commercial Plumbing Inspector
I4 California Commercial Mechanical Inspector

Type Combination Inspector

I8 California Combination Inspector

Exam ID/Prerequisite Exam/Certification(s)

J1 California Residential Building Inspector
I1 California Commercial Building Inspector
J2 California Residential Electrical Inspector
I2 California Commercial Electrical Inspector
J3 California Residential Plumbing Inspector
I3 California Commercial Plumbing Inspector
J4 California Residential Mechanical Inspector
I4 California Commercial Mechanical Inspector

Type Combination Inspector

J5 California Residential Combination Inspector

Exam ID/Prerequisite Exam/Certification(s)

J1 California Residential Building Inspector
J2 California Residential Electrical Inspector
J3 California Residential Plumbing Inspector
J4 California Residential Mechanical Inspector

Code Specialist Designations

A Code Specialist Designation is automatically granted after a candidate passes a specific examination module and obtains various certifications in code enforcement, plans examination, residential inspection, and/or commercial inspection in a specific trade. CBO can be used in place of the CS – Code Specialist Designation.

NOTE: If you already already passed the Code Specialist (CS) module AND have a current Code Specialist designation, you do NOT need to repeat the Code Specialist (CS) Module Exam.

man with clipboard in yellow jacket inspecting commercial electrical panel

Types

Type Code Specialist

B8 Building Code Specialist

Exam ID/Prerequisite Exam/Certification(s)

B1 Residential Building Inspector
B2 Commercial Building Inspector
B3 Building Plans Examiner
CS Code Specialist Module

Type Code Specialist

E8 Electrical Code Specialist

Exam ID/Prerequisite Exam/Certification(s)

E1 Residential Electrical Inspector
E2 Commercial Electrical Inspector
E3 Electrical Plans Examiner
CS Code Specialist Module

Type Code Specialist

FA Fire Code Specialist

Exam ID/Prerequisite Exam/Certification(s)

67 Fire Inspector II
F3 Fire Plans Examiner
CS Code Specialist Module

Type Code Specialist

M8 Mechanical Code Specialist

Exam ID/Prerequisite Exam/Certification(s)

M1 Residential Mechanical Inspector
M2 Commercial Mechanical Inspector
M3 Mechanical Plans Examiner
CS Code Specialist Module

Type Code Specialist

P8 Plumbing Code Specialist

Exam ID/Prerequisite Exam/Certification(s)

P1 Residential Plumbing Inspector
P2 Commercial Plumbing Inspector
P3 Plumbing Plans Examiner
CS Code Specialist Module

Type Code Specialist

H8 Housing and Zoning Code Specialist

Exam ID/Prerequisite Exam/Certification(s)

B1 Residential Building Inspector
64 Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector
75 Zoning Inspector
CS Code Specialist Module

Type Code Specialist

G8 Energy Code Specialist

Exam ID/Prerequisite Exam/Certification(s)

77 Commercial Energy Inspector
78 Commercial Energy Plans Examiner
79 Residential Energy Inspector/Plans Examiner
G1 Green Building Residential Examiner or
GCP Green Construction Code Professional

NOTE: The EA and EB can be substituted for the 77 and 78, respectively.

Type Code Specialist

T6 Permit Specialist

Exam ID/Prerequisite Exam/Certification(s)

14 Permit Technician
CS Code Specialist Module

Code Professional Designations

Each designation has its own set of requirements. See details for each designation below.

one man aond one woman with laptop out checking wind turbines

Types

Type Code Professional

MP Master Code Professional (MCP)

The Master Code Professional (MCP) is the highest level of designation the Code Council offers. The Code Council has certified thousands of individuals, but only a small select number have attained this high level of achievement: just over 800 individuals.

To obtain this level of certification requires and demonstrates commitment to the profession, diverse knowledge of codes, and a high level of self-initiative.

Master Code Professionals are typically responsible for all technical and management aspects of code enforcement. Duties include, but are not limited to:

  • management of a code enforcement department;
  • supervision of building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and elevator inspectors and support staff;
  • performing or supervising performance of building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical plan review; and
  • when necessary, inspecting or supervising inspection of structures for compliance with the International Codes® and referenced standards.

APPLY NOW: For detailed requirements and how to apply to become a Master Code Professional, click here.

Type Code Professional

MI Master of Special Inspection (MSI)

The Master of Special Inspection (MSI) is a designation given to those candidates who have the following Active credentials:

  • Structural Welding Special Inspector (S2)
  • Structural Steel and Bolting Special Inspector (S1)
  • Structural Masonry Special Inspector (84)
  • Reinforced Concrete Special Inspector (49)

These candidates must also have fulfilled the additional requirements for the Reinforced Concrete Special Inspector certification. Meeting the criteria for this designation exhibits commitment to the special inspection program, a deep knowledge of applicable standards, and leadership in the field.

Once all requirements are met, this designation is granted.

For more information on the Reinforced Concrete Special Inspector requirements, check out our Special Inspector Certifications page.

Type Code Professional

CB Certified Building Official (CBO)

Exam ID/Prerequisite Exam/Certification(s)

MM Management Module
MG Legal Module*
BC Building Codes and Standards Module

You have 18 months to fulfill the exam requirements to achieve this designation.

Once all requirements are met, this designation is granted.

Are you interested in becoming a CFM? Once you have completed either the CBO, you only have to pass the Fire Codes and Standards (FC) exam. You do not have to fulfill this requirement within the 18 months as long your existing CBO certification is current. And because ICC allows certification exam attempts up to 6 times in a 6-month period, you'll have plenty of opportunities to take an exam.

*An active MCP meets the Legal Module requirements.

Don’t forget to stay on top of keeping your designations renewed by checking your account on myICC!

Type Code Professional

FM Certified Fire Marshal (CFM)

Exam ID/Prerequisite Exam/Certification(s)

MM Management Module
MG Legal Module*
FC Fire Codes and Standards Module

You have 18 months to fulfill the exam requirements to achieve this designation.

Once all requirements are met, this designation is granted.

*An active MCP meets the Legal Module requirements.

Are you interested in becoming a CBO? Once you have completed either the CFM, you only have to pass the Building Codes and Standards (BC) exam. You do not have to fulfill this requirement within the 18 months as long your existing CFM certification is current. And because ICC allows certification exam attempts up to 6 times in a 6-month period, you'll have plenty of opportunities to take an exam.

Don’t forget to stay on top of keeping your designations renewed by checking your account on myICC!

Type Code Professional

Certified Sustainability Professional (CSP)

The Certified Sustainability Professional (CSP) is a designation that provides portability for professionals holding ICC and/or California certifications to show proficiency and interest in sustainability across the nation without having to obtain another license or designation.

The CSP designation will require a current AIA, PE, CBO, CFM, or MCP license or designation; one current energy conservation certification; and one current green building certification.

You will need to fulfill at least one requirement from each column/category below:

Licensure
AIA
PE
CBO
CFM
MCP
Energy Conservation
77
78
79
CE
CG, CX or CT*
Green Building
GCP
G1
GC

*The CT: CALGreen Inspector/ Plans Examiner, fulfills both Energy and Green Building Certification requirements.

PLEASE NOTE: The following certifications are no longer offered but can be used towards obtaining the CSP as long as they are active: CG, CX, G1, & GC.

Type Code Professional

IECC / HERS Compliance Specialist

The IECC/HERS Compliance Specialist designation verifies competence in energy performance measurement and energy code proficiency. IECC/HERS Compliance Specialists may now be used for both code compliance and energy performance rating services.

Questions? Contact Us

ICC Credentialing
Email: customersuccess@iccsafe.org
Phone: 1-888-ICC-SAFE (422-7233) ext. 5524

Certification Policies

ICC understands the importance of impartiality in carrying out our certification activities, managing conflict of interest, and ensuring the objectivity of our certification activities.

To learn more about our certification and education policies, please read the following:
Council Policy 45, CC Rules of Procedure, Records Release, and ICC Credentialing Compliance Principles.