News & Information

General C&T
PRONTO and Assessment Center FAQs:

Assessment Center

  • Who is the Assessment Center, and what happened to Certification and Testing?
    • The ICC Assessment Center will take the place of the ICC Certification and Testing division as a newly integrated, one-stop shop approach to simplify user access to services.
  • Will I lose my certifications?
    • No; the ICC Assessment Center will maintain the same strong credentials as the previous system, with an updated look and name. All certification and testing activities previously conducted by ICC will now be available from the Assessment Center, along with new and enhanced services.
  • Why did ICC change the certification department name?
    • The Assessment Center name more accurately reflects that credentials aren’t just tied to testing, but to various means of assessment. New credential types will be available soon in the Assessment Center – watch for more information.

PRONTO

  • What is PRONTO?
    • Proctored Remote Online Testing Option (PRONTO) is a new program offered by ICC that allows individuals to take an ICC certification exam in the privacy of their home, office or other secured location. Instead of having to travel to one of the current testing sites, some of which have limited hours and may not be convenient for many test takers, candidates can take an exam at their convenience.
  • Why is ICC interested in online testing?
    • This new test-taking platform will remove one of the barriers to individuals who are interested in pursuing careers in the building trades, which could help reduce the current shortage of qualified individuals for jobs in these fields.
  • What do I need in order to test through PRONTO?
    • To participate in PRONTO, individuals need to have a computer, web cam, microphone and high-speed (broadband) internet access. Users will be able to test their computer system to see if it works for PRONTO prior to purchasing the exam.
  • Why should I consider taking an exam through PRONTO?
    • PRONTO makes taking a certification exam easier, more convenient, more comfortable and saves time by enabling individuals to take the exams in their own location. The new test-taking platform eliminates the geographical barrier of travelling to a testing center to take an ICC exam, which is especially helpful for testers who live far away from a testing site or can’t easily schedule an exam due to limited testing hours.
  • Who else is offering online testing?
    • While online proctored testing is being successfully used at companies such as Microsoft and Cisco, ICC is the first model code organization to offer secured online proctored exams. ICC is also currently the only model code organization to offer this convenient service at an entirely new, accessible level to testers.
  • When can I take an exam through PRONTO?
    • PRONTO services reflect the demand for flexibility and control over scheduling for the modern-day tester, making exams accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
  • When do I get my exam results?
    • Individuals will find out their pass/fail status immediately upon completing their exams through PRONTO.
  • What’s happening to computer-based and paper-and-pencil testing?
    • In addition to PRONTO, ICC will continue offering other options for taking certification exams via computer-based testing and paper-and-pencil examinations to provide testers with the highest variety of options.
  • Can I take any ICC exam through PRONTO?
    • PRONTO services are now available for 24 different exams. Even more types of exams will begin to become available in the future, making certification exams more convenient and accessible than ever before.
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New Combination Designation Going Green: Certified Sustainability Professional

The International Code Council is set to launch a Certified Sustainability Professional (CSP) designation on July 1. The CSP was designed to provide 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.

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Coming Soon: New Code Specialist Designations

Beginning July 1, 2017, ICC will launch six additional Code Specialist designations as part of its Combination Designations. These designations offer a streamlined path of achievement in the exam process by comprising a quality Code Specialist (CS) exam that combines legal, management, and customer service elements to present a robust module. The new Code Specialist designations will require passing the CS exam module as well as the appropriate trade examinations.

Click here for the full article

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Increase in Exam Attempts for Certification Exam Candidates

Published July 7, 2017

As of July 1st, 2017, the frequency of exam attempts for Certification programs has increased. Instead of two (2) exam attempts in a 6-month period, candidates taking a National Certification Exam, CALBO exam, or UST/AST exam now have the opportunity to take an exam six (6) times in a 6 (six) month period if needed to pass.

PLEASE NOTE: Result letters from Pearson VUE may still reflect the old rule of 2 exam attempts in a 6-month period. If you have already used one or two of your exam attempts within your 6-month period of retesting upon July 1st, you will still be allowed to continue retesting until your six attempts are fulfilled in the 6-month period.

The Certification Committee (CC) of the ICC Professional Development Council (PDC) approved this change in a December 2016 meeting, to allow candidates greater access to testing. For more information on the CC or PDC, please click here.

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Coming Soon: New Code Specialist Designations

Beginning July 1, 2017, ICC will launch six additional Code Specialist designations as part of its Combination Designations. These designations offer a streamlined path of achievement in the exam process by comprising a quality Code Specialist (CS) exam that combines legal, management, and customer service elements to present a robust module. The new Code Specialist designations will require passing the CS exam module as well as the appropriate trade examinations.

2017 New Code Specialist Designations:

  • B8 - Building Code Specialist (BCS)
  • E8 - Electrical Code Specialist (ECS)
  • F8 - Fire Code Specialist (FCS)
  • M8 - Mechanical Code Specialist (MCS)
  • P8 - Plumbing Code Specialist (PCS)
  • H8 - Housing and Zoning Code Specialist (HZCS)

These new Code Specialist Designations will be joining our suite of Combination Designations that we will continue to offer:

  • Building Inspector (B5)
  • Electrical Inspector (E5)
  • Mechanical Inspector (M5)
  • Plumbing Inspector (P5
  • Residential Combination Inspector (R5)
  • Commercial Combination Inspector (C5)
  • Combination Inspector (C8)
  • Combination Plans Examiner (C3)
  • Energy Code Specialist (G8)
  • Permit Specialist (T6)
  • Master Code Professional (MCP)
  • Master of Special Inspection (MSI)
  • Certified Building Official (CBO)
  • Certified Fire Marshal (CFM)

What will happen to the Certified Code Official designation?

For professionals who currently hold the Certified Code Official designation, your title will remain valid and will be honored by the ICC as a Legacy Certification. While this designation will officially retire on June 30, 2017, you will still be able to maintain your designation title as a Certified Code Official through appropriate renewals via the Code Council.

Code Official Designations Retiring June 30, 2017:
  • Certified Building Code Official (B6)
  • Certified Fire Code Official (F6)
  • Certified Mechanical Code Official (M6)
  • Certified Plumbing Code Official (P6)
  • Certified Housing Code Official (H6)
  • Certified Electrical Code Official (E6)

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Increase in Exam Attempts Starting July

Published February 28, 2017

Effective July 1st, 2017, the frequency of exam attempts for the National Certification program will increase. Instead of two (2) exam attempts in a 6-month period, candidates will have the opportunity to take an exam six (6) times in a 6 (six) month period if needed to pass.

The Certification Committee (CC) of the ICC Professional Development Council (PDC) approved this change in a December 2016 meeting, to allow candidates greater access to testing. For more information on the CC or PDC, please click here.

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Are you in the Newport, RI area? Interested in taking a National Certification Exam?

On April 12th, 2017, The International Code Council will be administering Paper-and-Pencil National Certification at the Examinations at the Eastern States Building Officials Federation (ESBOF) Annual Conference at the Newport Harbor Hotel. If you’re in the area and would like to take a Certification Exam during this event, please fill out the application below and send the form along with appropriate fees to the address located on the form.

Registration for taking a certification exam at this event is open until March 10, 2017. Register today to guarantee a spot for your examination!

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Retired Exams

Published January 4, 2016

  • The following National Certification Exams have retired, effective December 31st, 2016:
    • 01 Legal/Management Module
    • 02 Technology Module
    • DR Disaster Response Inspector
    • FM Certified Fire Marshal

 

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Preferred Provider Program Now Available

ICC’s new Preferred Provider Program, which launched in November 2014, offers onsite and online educational courses to meet your training needs and provide ICC CEUs. Beginning in 2015, 20 percent of CEUs used for an ICC certification renewal must be earned from training by ICC or ICC’s Preferred Provider Program (PPP). Review the revised Certification renewal schedule and the FAQs about the Certification program changes.

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Please Read: 2015 Program Changes

ICC Certification and Testing will be making program changes to more closely align with the values and goals of ICC, as well as continuing to maintain the validity, fairness, reliability, and credibility of your exam programs. Please take a few minutes to read through the list of upcoming changes, and let us know if you have questions.

Contractor/Trades Testing
State-specific Certification
Cert Renewal