Construction / Code Official Continuing Education / Pennsylvania

  • Pennsylvania
  • Code Official CE
  • Code Officials, Inspectors & Plans Examiners
  • Updated Oct 2026

Pennsylvania Code Official Continuing Education: Hours, Deadline and Approved Courses

Pennsylvania code officials need 15 hours of CE for each certification category (up to a maximum of 45 hours) every three years, completed before their certifications expire and submitted to the Department of Labor & Industry.

Last updated October 28, 2026 from Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry requirements

Hours per cycle

15 hrs per category

Capped at 45 hours maximum for 3 or more categories

Cycle

3 years

Adding a new category resets all expiration dates

Deadline

Before certifications expire

Apply up to 6 months before your card’s expiration date

Online allowed?

Yes

Online courses from providers approved under 34 Pa. Code § 401.10 count

Who needs CE

Who needs continuing education for a Pennsylvania code official certification?

Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC) officials, inspectors and plans examiners need CE to renew their certifications. Renewal is handled by the state through the Department of Labor & Industry, not by your municipality.

CE applies to

  • Construction Code Officials
  • Inspectors
  • Plans Examiners

Exemptions

  • None stated in our sources

Adding a category resets your dates

Each time you earn certification in a new category, the expiration date for all your certifications moves to three years from the date the new category was issued.

Pennsylvania code official CE at a glance

Pennsylvania code official renewal, one box

Renewed withPennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
CE required?Yes, for each certification category
Hours per cycle15 hrs per category (45 hrs maximum)
Cycle3 years
Required topicsCode-related subject areas; at least one-third must relate directly to each category held
Online allowed?Yes
DeadlineBefore your certifications expire
Who reportsLicensee uploads certificates in the eDAP portal at renewal
CarryoverNo; all credits must be earned after the issue date on your current card
Grace periodNone for working; up to 1 year after expiration to renew before re-testing
Renewal fee$134.55 ($50 base in 34 Pa. Code § 401.2, CPI-adjusted)
Last updatedOctober 28, 2026

Hours

How many CE hours does a Pennsylvania code official certification need?

Under 34 Pa. Code § 401.9, you need 15 hours of CE for each certification category you hold every three years, up to a maximum of 45 hours if you hold three or more categories. At least one-third of your credits must relate directly to your specific certification categories.

ClassTotalRequired topicsElectivesDelivery limits
1 certification category15 hrsAt least 5 hrs directly related to your categoryUp to 10 hrs in accepted code-related subject areasOnline or classroom
2 certification categories30 hrsAt least 5 hrs per category directly related to that categoryUp to 20 hrs in accepted code-related subject areasOnline or classroom
3 or more certification categories45 hrs maxAt least 5 hrs per category directly related to each categoryRemaining hrs in accepted code-related subject areasOnline or classroom

Accepted subject areas include architectural design, engineering systems, building construction, technical trades, fire prevention, property maintenance, construction management, code enforcement and public administration.

Deadline

When is the Pennsylvania code official certification renewal deadline?

Pennsylvania code official certifications renew every three years. You can apply for recertification up to 6 months before your card expires. When you add a new category, all your certifications get a new expiration date three years from the date the new category was issued.

Deadline ruleRenew before your certifications expire (applications open 6 months before expiration)
Cycle3 years
Grace periodNone for working; you have up to 1 year after expiration to renew before you must re-test
Late penaltyRe-examination required in all categories if not renewed within 1 year of expiration
CE completion deadlineMust be earned after the issue date on your most recent certification card and before renewal

Steps

How to renew a Pennsylvania code official certification, step by step

  1. Take approved CEBefore your deadline
    Complete 15 hours of CE per certification category (up to 45 hours maximum) after the issue date printed on your current UCC certification card.
  2. Get your certificateSame day
    Print or save the certificate of completion for every course.
  3. Confirm it’s reportedAt renewal
    Upload copies of your CE completion certificates through the Department of Labor & Industry’s online eDAP system when you apply to renew.
  4. Pay the renewal fee$134.55 fee
    Submit your recertification application and fee to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry via eDAP.
  5. Check your license statusAfter renewal
    Confirm with the department that your UCC certification card shows its new three-year expiration date.

Providers

Approved Pennsylvania code official certification CE providers

We haven’t compared CE providers for this license yet. Use the board’s approved provider list to confirm a course counts before you pay. Under 34 Pa. Code § 401.10, courses from ICC, accredited colleges, state agencies, model code organizations and department-approved providers count.

Approval

How to check a Pennsylvania code official CE course is approved

CE must be offered by a provider approved or recognized under 34 Pa. Code § 401.10. All credits must be earned after the “Issued Date” on your most recent UCC certification card.

  1. Confirm the provider is accepted under 34 Pa. Code § 401.10 before you pay.
  2. Check that at least one-third of your hours directly match each certification category you hold.
  3. Make sure you have 15 hours per category (up to the 45-hour cap).

Reporting

How Pennsylvania code official CE is reported, and what happens in an audit

You submit your own CE documentation to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry when you renew through the Electronic Data Application Processing (eDAP) portal or by mail.

  • Keep a certificate of completion for every course.
  • Track your hours by certification category and verify they were taken after your current card’s issue date.
  • Upload your completion certificates in eDAP when submitting your renewal.

Cost

How much does Pennsylvania code official certification renewal cost?

ItemFeePaid to
Certification renewal fee (3 years)$134.55 ($50 base fee in 34 Pa. Code § 401.2, CPI-adjusted)PA Department of Labor & Industry
CE courses (15–45 hours)Varies by providerCE provider

Fee from 34 Pa. Code § 401.2 and the PA Department of Labor & Industry UCC fee schedule, checked October 2026.

Late or lapsed

Late, expired or inactive Pennsylvania code official certification

You cannot legally perform any UCC code enforcement duties with an expired certification card. If you miss your expiration date, you have a limited window to renew before you lose your certifications.

Grace period (up to 1 year)

You cannot work while expired, but you can still renew by submitting your required CE and fee within 1 year of your certification expiration date.

Expired more than 1 year

Under 34 Pa. Code § 401.9, if your renewal is not received within 1 year of your expiration date, you must retake and pass the certification exams for every category you wish to restore.

Who controls

Who controls Pennsylvania code official certification renewal?

Renewal authority

Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry

651 Boas St., Room 1606, Harrisburg, PA 17121

Phone: (717) 787-3806

Certified Code Officials page

Responsibilities

  • Certifies Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code officials, inspectors and plans examiners
  • Renews certifications every three years through the eDAP portal
  • Reviews CE completion records at renewal

Getting licensed

Getting a Pennsylvania code official license

Need the license first? Our Pennsylvania guide covers who needs a license, the classes, exams, fees and the steps to apply.

FAQ

Pennsylvania code official certification CE FAQs

How many CE hours does a Pennsylvania code official need?

15 hours for each certification category you hold every three years, capped at a maximum of 45 hours if you hold three or more categories.

When is the deadline?

Before your certifications expire at the end of the three-year cycle. Adding a new category moves all your expiration dates to three years from that new certification.

Can I take CE online?

Yes. Online courses offered by providers approved or recognized under 34 Pa. Code § 401.10 count toward your renewal.

What topics count?

At least one-third of your hours must directly relate to your specific certification categories. Remaining hours can cover architectural design, engineering systems, building construction, technical trades, fire prevention, property maintenance, construction management, code enforcement and public administration.

Who reports my hours?

You upload copies of your completion certificates when you submit your renewal application in the Department of Labor & Industry’s eDAP portal.

Do hours carry over?

No. All continuing education credits must be earned after the issue date printed on your most recent UCC certification card.

Sources

Official sources for Pennsylvania code official CE rules

  1. Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, Certified Code Officials
  2. 34 Pa. Code Chapter 401 (Uniform Construction Code Training and Certification)

Last updated October 28, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.

Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry.