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.
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.
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.
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:
AIA
PE
CBO
CFM
MCP
77
78
79
CE
CG, CX or CT*
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.