ICC Military Families Career Path Program

Thank you for joining ICC!

You will be receiving a welcome email from the Code Council within 1–3 business days and an ID card by mail shortly thereafter. The welcome email contains information you need to start enjoying your benefits right away.

Keep reading to learn more about careers in building safety.

Why consider a career in building safety?

  • High salaries. According to a 2014 study, the median salary for code officials is between $50,000 and $75,000 per year. And, there’s room for growth! One fifth of the survey respondents earned between $75,000 and $100,000 annually. This is significantly above the median household income of $51,017 reported by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2012.
  • Protect and serve. Service members serve their country and protect lives. Those in the building safety profession also protect their communities by ensuring safe buildings where people live, work and play.
  • Innate skills. Individuals who enter military service develop skill sets ideally suited to the building safety profession – attention to detail, a strong work ethic, technical knowledge and teamwork. Military family members often have the necessary skills for the building safety profession such as discipline, organization and commitment to a cause.
  • Certifications transfer with you. Each state has a number of building safety professionals. The International Codes are used in all 50 U.S. states and in many other countries, and ICC certifications are honored and required across the U.S.  So, if you need to move, your certifications will transfer with you to your new location and your new job. Keep in mind, however, that some states may require additional state specific examinations for inspection positions.
  • Low or no cost training. Earning an ICC certification costs around $540 for books, courses and the final exam. In comparison, the College Board reports that the average yearly tuition and fees for a public two-year college is $3,440 and a public four-year college for in-state students is $9,410. In addition, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under the Montgomery G.I. Bill repays qualified veterans for the cost of Code Council certification exams taken after January 2003.
  • Quick and accessible. Most certifications take around 150 hours of study and testing. Candidates can get started from anywhere. Many of our trainings are available online, and our online testing center, PRONTO, allows users to take tests 24/7 from any secure location.

Note: A closed captioned version of the video is available here.

Many veterans have chosen this career path in the past. In fact, a survey of Code Council members revealed that 50 percent of respondents had previously served in the military. See testimonials from current and prospective code officials with a military background below.

 

Testimonials

Jeff Whitney
“Military service helped me to focus, and most importantly gave me the discipline to work in the building safety industry.” — Former Code Council Board Member Jeff Whitney
Mike Reese
“If someone was successful in the military, they're going to transition well into this field…”— Army Sergeant First Class Mike Reese
Donny Phipps
“Serving in the Army prepared me for the many challenging and rewarding experiences that I’ve encountered…” — Code Council Board Member Donny Phipps
John A. Hammonds
“I’m sold. I’ll start tomorrow as a building official or inspector.” — Air Force Chief Master Sergeant John A. Hammonds
Jim Brown
“You are welcome here in the building safety industry. There is an abundance of great opportunities for you.”—Code Council Board Member Jim Brown
Kris Bridges
“The training and experience I gained during my military service translates almost daily into my responsibilities as a building official.”—Code Council Board Member Kris Bridges
Jack Applegate
“Veterans can be successful and enter a career field in less than a year with unlimited potential, great salaries and very competitive benefits.”—Jack Applegate

Click here to learn more about Safety 2.0, the Code Council’s signature initiative to welcome a new generation of members and leaders to the building safety professions.

If you are a military veteran interested in the benefits of ICC membership, take advantage of ICC’s special Safety 2.0 offer. Enjoy a six-month FREE ICC Participating Membership and get connected now with the best code resources and member benefits in the industry. Click here for more information and to apply.

Ready to embark on your new career? Visit ICC's Career Center

ICC's Career Center has job postings in the building safety industry across the U.S. Many state and local governments give preference to veterans, so make sure to indicate that you are a veteran in your application. Click here for job listings.

Want to learn more?

The International Code Council’s Mentor Program connects seasoned building safety professionals with job seekers interested in joining the industry. Participants can develop meaningful, long-term connections with others passionate about building safety in their area. Take just a few minutes to fill out a short application to share the specifics of your situation, and potentially change the course of your career.

Find a Mentor
Become a Mentor

If you are interested in a career in building safety but aren’t sure where to start:

Contact Us

Related Links

Cracking the code: how the building safety industry is growing talent to keep our communities safe
Highest Paid Occupations in Construction  
High-Paying Trade Jobs Sit Empty, While High School Grads Line Up For University
Construction Dive: The labor shortage: How military veterans can help fill the gap
Code Administrators Associations of Kentucky Proclamation of Support for the Military Families Career Path Program
U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Construction and Building Inspectors