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Minnesota building inspector certification

Rafter Tie editorial teamUpdated 3 min read

Minnesota certifies building officials under rule chapter 1301. The rules are in Minnesota Rules chapter 1301, backed by Minnesota Statutes section 326B.133. This guide summarizes the pages we read on the Revisor of Statutes site. The rule text carries a 2009 publication date for parts of it, so check the Department of Labor and Industry for current details.

The certifications

A municipality that adopts the State Building Code designates a building official. The statute and rule describe these categories:

  • Certified building official. Meets the rule prerequisites and passes the state's written exam. May serve as building official for any municipality.
  • Certified building official-limited. Meets a lower prerequisite and passes the state exam. Limited to homes up to two units and their accessory structures, some exempt building classes and accessibility provisions. Other buildings go to a certified building official. This holder inspects other structures when a certified building official directs.
  • Accessibility specialist. Limited to the access provisions of the code, and used only by municipalities that do not administer the code themselves.

The older Class I certification is no longer issued, though existing holders may keep it with continuing education.

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Prerequisites by points

Rule 1301.0300 uses a point system. A candidate needs at least 100 points for certified building official and at least 30 for the limited category. Points come from three groups: education, certifications and experience. Municipal inspection or plan review work under a certified building official earns points for each 12-month period, up to a cap, and design or construction experience earns a smaller amount. Before taking the limited or accessibility exam, you must attend a course set by the state building official.

The certification list in the rule names older exam programs. It names the ICBO building inspector and plans examiner exams, an ICC predecessor, but no current ICC exam. Item D says other education, certifications and experience can earn credit as the state building official decides by comparison. So whether a B1 earns points is a question for the agency, not something this guide can answer.

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Applying

Rule 1301.0400 says to send the application on the commissioner's form with a nonrefundable fee of $70 as that rule text reads. The state building official reviews your prerequisites and schedules the exam. Under the statute, certifications expire two years from issue and every two years after that. Fees are set under section 326B.092, so confirm the current amount.

Where the B1 fits

The B1 is useful background for residential code work, but Minnesota's route runs through its own exam and points. Ask the department before you pay for ICC exams. The B1 outline guide and B1 study guide are there if you decide to take it, and ICC fees are in the ICC exam cost and scheduling guide.

The certification by state guide compares other states.

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