South Carolina Building Codes Council

Message To LLR Stakeholders About Regulatory Review Process

Requirements for Approval and Licensure of Code Enforcement Officers

An individual employed by a municipality or county in South Carolina, who performs plans review, inspection of one or more building systems (building, electrical, plumbing, etc.), renders interpretations or makes technical decisions for building code compliance, is considered by law as code enforcement officer. The Code Enforcement Officer's Registration Law requires all individuals performing as code enforcement officers to be registered with the South Carolina Building Codes Council, before they may provide their services.

Based on qualifications, an individual may be registered in one of the following classifications.

General, which designates unrestricted practice, based on the level of qualification and the job tasks performed. The general classification includes:
G1 (Building Official) - A G1 registrant is qualified to perform all tasks and inspections within the Building Inspection Department. To qualify for a G1 classification, a registrant must be certified by a recognized testing entity as a building official (CBO).
G2 (General Combination Inspector) - A G2 registrant is qualified to perform onsite inspections in two or more construction disciplines (building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical) for all types of construction in all occupancy groups. To qualify for a G2 classification, a registrant must be certified by a recognized testing entity as a commercial inspector in two or more construction disciplines (based on the job description for the position held).
G3 (Residential Combination Inspector) - A G3 registrant is qualified to perform onsite inspections in four construction disciplines (building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical) for one and two family dwellings; multifamily dwellings of type IV or V construction or other buildings or structures of type IV or V construction not exceeding 5,000 square feet in total area. To qualify for a G3 classification, a registrant must be certified by a recognized testing entity as a residential combination inspector.

Specialty, which designates practice within a named discipline only. The specialty classification includes:
BI (Building Inspector) - A BI registrant is qualified to perform all onsite building inspections for all types of construction in all occupancy groups. To qualify for a BI classification, a registrant must be certified by a recognized testing entity as a building inspector.
EI (Electrical Inspector) - An EI registrant is qualified to perform all onsite electrical inspections for all types of construction in all occupancy groups. To qualify for an EI classification, a registrant must be certified by a recognized testing entity as an electrical inspector.
PI (Plumbing Inspector) - A PI registrant is qualified to perform all onsite plumbing inspections for all types of construction in all occupancy groups. To qualify for a BI classification, a registrant must be certified by a recognized testing entity as a plumbing inspector.
MI (Mechanical/Gas Inspector) - An MI registrant is qualified to perform all onsite mechanical and gas inspections for all types of construction in all occupancy groups. To qualify for an MI classification, a registrant must be certified by a recognized testing entity as a mechanical inspector.
HI (Housing Inspector) - A HI registrant is qualified to perform all onsite housing inspections for all types of construction in all occupancy groups. To qualify for a HI classification, a registrant must be certified by a recognized testing entity as a housing inspector.
PE (Plans Examiner) - A PE registrant is qualified to perform all building plans review for all types of construction in all occupancy groups. To qualify for a PE classification, a registrant must be certified by a recognized testing entity as a commercial plans examiner.

Limited, which designates a renewable registration issued to a non-examined code enforcement officer, employed by a municipality or county on the effective date of the act. The limited classification restricts practice to the position and jurisdiction for which initially issued. A limited code enforcement officer may change position or jurisdiction only after qualification for the new position or jurisdiction by certification. Only registrants who qualified during the first registration period (July 1, 1999) may continue to hold a limited registration. The limited classification to is closed to new applicants.

Provisional, which designates a non-renewable registration issued for a fixed time period, to a non-certified code enforcement officer who is training for the certification required for the position. To qualify for a provisional registration, a registrant must show proof of employment by a municipality or county in South Carolina and is actively in training for a specific certification. The maximum length of time allowed from the date of employment for a provisional registrant to qualify as a registered code enforcement officer is as follows:

General Classifications;

Building official, 24 months;

General Combination Inspector, 12 months for each certification;

Residential Combination Inspector, 12 months for each certification; and,

Specialty Classifications; 12 months for the discipline for which employed.

Application

An individual must first be employed by a municipality or county before an Application for Registration can be submitted. Application must be made upon the form furnished by the Council. All applications must contain a statement of employment and must be verified by signature of the Building Official or administrative head of the jurisdiction for which the applicant is employed. The prescribed fee and copies of certificates and/or examination records must accompany the applications. The fee for registration is fifty dollars and is not prorated.

Registration Renewal

All code enforcement officer registrations expire at the close of business on June 30 of each odd numbered year. Registration renewal, however, may be accomplished at any time during the month of July without penalty or examination.

Comity

The Council may grant registration without examination, in any classification, to a code enforcement officer, who at the time of application, is registered or licensed by a similar Board or Council of another state, district or territory, where standards are acceptable to the Council and not lower than required by the act and these regulations.