Building Code Academy Blog
Study tips, exam strategies, and career advice from a Certified Building Official with 19 ICC certifications.
A field inspector's guide to the most significant changes in the 2024 IRC and how they affect your daily work and exam preparation.
Sample practice questions across different ICC® exam topics with thorough explanations and code references to build your confidence.
Proven strategies for maximizing your score on open-book ICC® exams — tactics that go far beyond tabbing your code book.
Complete 2026 salary data for building inspectors by region, the impact of certifications on earnings, and how career progression affects your paycheck.
Renewing your ICC® certification doesn't have to be complicated. I'll walk you through the exact process, show you where to find approved CEUs, and highlight the mistakes I see professionals make every renewal cycle.
The job title "building inspector" hides two very different career paths. I'll show you exactly what residential and commercial inspectors do, how the work differs, and how to choose the path that fits your skills and lifestyle.
You already work 50+ hours a week as a building professional. Adding exam prep shouldn't mean sacrificing your life. I'll show you exactly how to fit serious study into a full schedule without burning out.
The B3 certification separates competent plans examiners from exceptional ones. I'll walk you through the exam format, the topics that actually appear most often, and the tabbing strategy that saves you 30 minutes on exam day.
Exam day jitters are normal, but they're often worse when you don't know what's coming. I'll walk you through the entire day—from arriving at the test center to reviewing your score report.
The B1 exam is your entry point into residential code enforcement. It's open book, but that doesn't mean you can wing it. Here's the exact preparation strategy I've seen work for hundreds of inspectors.
The B2 exam is where residential inspectors level up. It's 80 questions over 3.5 hours, and you'll need both the IBC and your ability to understand complex fire protection and structural concepts. Here's exactly how to prepare.
The E1 exam tests whether you understand how electricity actually works in a home, not just code rules. If you're an electrician transitioning to inspection or a combo inspector adding electrical credentials, here's how to prepare.
The CBO is not an inspector exam—it's a management and legal exam. You need three modules to earn the credential: Legal, Management, and the Building Code exam. Here's how to approach each one differently.
The P1 exam is where plumbing knowledge meets code enforcement. If you're a plumber transitioning to inspection or want to add plumbing credentials to your inspection portfolio, this guide covers everything you need to know.
Buying your first code book is a significant investment. Here's what I wish I'd known before making that decision.
The honest answer depends on your background, the exam, and how you study. Here's what the data actually shows.
After 19 certifications and thousands of hours in the field, here are the things that would have made my first exam less stressful and more successful.
The shift from construction to inspection is one of the smartest career moves in the industry. Here's exactly how to make it.
A proven tabbing system for your open-book ICC exam — color-coded, field-tested, and used by a CBO with 19 certifications.
A side-by-side comparison of the B1 and B2 exams from someone who holds both certifications and supervises inspectors who take them.
7 proven strategies from a CBO who has passed 19 ICC® exams and trained a team of inspectors to do the same.