Construction / Code Official License / Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania
- Code Official
- Inspectors & Plans Examiners
- Updated Oct 2026
How to Get Your Pennsylvania Code Official Certification
Which certifications Pennsylvania accepts for building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing code officials, inspectors and plans examiners, which ICC exams you need, and how to apply with the Department of Labor & Industry.
Last updated October 28, 2026 from Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry requirements
Application fee
Not stated
Ask L&I at 717-787-6085
Exam time
2–3.5 hrs
ICC B1 is 2 hrs, B2 is 3.5 hrs
Time to get license
Varies
Depends on how many ICC exams your role needs
Continuing ed
Not stated
Confirm with L&I
Overview
Do you need a Pennsylvania code official license?
Yes, if you enforce the building code for a Pennsylvania municipality. Code officials, inspectors and plans examiners need a certification accepted by the Department of Labor & Industry for each discipline they work in. Most of those certifications are ICC exams, not a state exam.
License required when
- You run a municipal or county code enforcement department as the code official
- You inspect construction sites for compliance with approved plans and the code
- You review construction documents as a plans examiner
- You issue building permits, occupancy permits, notices of violation or orders
Common exceptions
- Contractors and tradespeople doing the work itself; this certification is for people who enforce the code
- Disciplines you don’t inspect or review: you only need the certifications for the work you do
Working without the right certification
Our source notes don’t list specific penalties. In general, only certified people can perform code enforcement duties, and the Department of Labor & Industry can refuse, suspend or revoke a certification. Check with L&I before you take on inspection or plan review work.
Your fast-track Pennsylvania code official license checklist
The Pennsylvania application, one page
- Role and discipline chosen
- ICC exam application submitted at iccsafe.org
- Passing ICC exam results for each certification you need
- State Law and Regulations exam passed (building code officials)
- Certification application sent to L&I
Types
Pennsylvania code official license types and classifications
Pennsylvania certifies code officials, inspectors and plans examiners by discipline. For most roles, the accepted credential is an ICC certification. The list below covers the common ones; L&I publishes the full list of approved certifications.
BCO
Runs the department
Building Code Official
Oversees the code enforcement department, supervises inspectors and plans examiners, and issues permits, notices and orders.
Exam
State Law & Regulations exam
Limit
Administers the code
B1
Most common
Residential Building Inspector
Inspects residential construction for compliance with approved plans and the building code.
Exam
ICC B1
Limit
Residential
B2
Larger projects
Building Inspector
Inspects commercial building construction for code compliance.
Exam
ICC B2
Limit
Commercial
B3
Plan review
Building Plans Examiner
Reviews construction documents submitted for permits to check compliance with the building code.
Exam
ICC B2 + B3
Limit
Plan review
E1/E2
Electrical
Electrical Inspector
Inspects residential (E1) or commercial (E2) electrical work for code compliance.
Exam
ICC E1 or E2
Limit
Residential or commercial
E3
Electrical
Electrical Plans Examiner
Reviews electrical construction documents for code compliance.
Exam
ICC E3
Limit
Plan review
M1–M3
Mechanical
Mechanical Inspector & Plans Examiner
Residential (M1) or commercial (M2) mechanical inspection, or mechanical plan review (M3).
Exam
ICC M1, M2 or M3
Limit
By certification
P1–P3
Plumbing
Plumbing Inspector & Plans Examiner
Residential (P1) or commercial (P2) plumbing inspection, or plumbing plan review (P3).
Exam
ICC P1, P2 or P3
Limit
By certification
Requirements
Pennsylvania code official license requirements, class by class
Each discipline follows the same pattern: a residential inspector exam, a commercial inspector exam and a plans examiner exam. Building plans examiners need both B2 and B3.
| Requirement | Building | Electrical | Mechanical | Plumbing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential inspector | ICC B1 | ICC E1 | ICC M1 | ICC P1 |
| Commercial inspector | ICC B2 | ICC E2 | ICC M2 | ICC P2 |
| Plans examiner | ICC B2 + B3 | ICC E3 | ICC M3 | ICC P3 |
| Code official | State Law & Regulations exam | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Experience | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Certifying agency | PA Labor & Industry | PA Labor & Industry | PA Labor & Industry | PA Labor & Industry |
Steps
How to get your Pennsylvania code official license, step by step
- Pick your discipline and roleBefore you start
Decide whether you’ll inspect, review plans or run the department, and in which discipline: building, electrical, mechanical or plumbing. Check L&I’s list of approved certifications for that role. - Apply to take your ICC examBefore you apply
Submit an exam application through iccsafe.org, or call ICC at 1-888-422-7233. Testing centers are in larger cities across the state. - Pass the examExam day
The B1 residential building inspector exam is 60 questions in 2 hours, open book. The B2 commercial building inspector exam is 80 questions in 3.5 hours. - Take the state law exam (code officials)If you’ll run a department
Building code officials also pass the State Law and Regulations Examination given by the PA Construction Codes Academy. - Apply for certification with L&IAfter you pass
Contact the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry at 717-787-6085 or apply through its Certified Code Officials page. - Start enforcing the codeOnce certified
Work for a municipality or county that has adopted the state code, within the disciplines your certifications cover.
Exam
What to expect on the Pennsylvania code official exam
Pennsylvania doesn’t write its own inspector exams. You take the ICC exam for each certification you need, then apply to L&I. Building code officials add the state law exam.
Format
Open book (B1)
Questions
60 (B1), 80 (B2)
Passing score
Not stated
Exam vendor
ICC
Scoring & content
- B1 Residential Building Inspector: 60 questions, 2 hours, open book
- B1 topics: code administration, building planning, footings and foundations, floors, walls and coverings, roof and ceiling, public safety and special construction
- B2 Commercial Building Inspector: 80 questions, 3.5 hours
- Electrical, mechanical and plumbing follow the same 1-2-3 pattern (E, M and P exams)
- Passing score not stated in our source notes
Retake policy
- Retake rules aren’t stated in our source notes
- Retakes are scheduled through ICC, like your first attempt
- Call ICC at 1-888-422-7233 for current rules
Exam references · Open book
The ICC B1 Residential Building Inspector exam is open book, and the references below are the books allowed in the room for the B1 and B2 Commercial Building Inspector exams. Our sources don’t list references for the electrical, mechanical or plumbing inspector and plans examiner exams, so check the ICC candidate bulletin for those.
| Book | Edition | Use |
|---|---|---|
| International Residential Code (IRC) — B1 Residential Building Inspector exam | 2021 | Allowed in exam |
| International Residential Code (IRC) — B1 Residential Building Inspector exam | 2024 | Allowed in exam |
| International Building Code (IBC) — B2 Commercial Building Inspector exam | 2024 | Allowed in exam |
| International Building Code (IBC) — B2 Commercial Building Inspector exam | 2021 | Allowed in exam |
| Concrete Manual: Concrete Quality and Field Practices — B2 Commercial Building Inspector exam | 2024 / 2021 IBC and ACI 318-19 | Allowed in exam |
| ACI 318-19: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary — B2 Commercial Building Inspector exam | ACI 318-19 (22) | Allowed in exam |
For the B2 exam you can use either the 2024 or 2021 IBC.
Prep
Best Pennsylvania code official exam prep, compared
We haven’t compared prep courses for this exam yet.
Costs
How much does a Pennsylvania code official license cost?
| Item | Type | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| L&I certification application | Fixed | Not stated |
| ICC exam (each) | Fixed | Not stated |
| State Law & Regulations exam (code officials) | Fixed | Not stated |
| Code books for open-book exams | Variable | Varies |
| State and exam fees | Depends on how many certifications you need | Varies |
Fees aren’t stated in our source notes, so check with ICC and L&I before you budget.
Reciprocity
Does Pennsylvania accept out-of-state code official licenses?
Our source notes don’t describe any reciprocity agreements for Pennsylvania code official certifications.
No reciprocity agreements
None are listed, so plan to apply as a new applicant. If you already hold ICC certifications, check them against L&I’s list of approved certifications.
Local
Do Pennsylvania cities and counties have their own code official licensing rules?
The state certifies the people. Municipalities and counties that adopt the state code hire them and run day-to-day enforcement.
State handles
- Certifying code officials, inspectors and plans examiners
- The list of approved certifications
- The State Law and Regulations Examination, through the PA Construction Codes Academy
City & county handle
- Running the code enforcement department
- Hiring and supervising inspectors and plans examiners
- Building permits, occupancy permits and inspections
- Notices of violation and orders
Governance
Who regulates code officials in Pennsylvania
Licensing authority
Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
717-787-6085
Oversight responsibilities
- Certifies code officials, inspectors and plans examiners
- Publishes the list of approved certifications by discipline
- Answers questions about the application process
Maintenance
How to renew your Pennsylvania code official license and keep it active
Our source notes don’t cover renewal or continuing education for Pennsylvania code official certifications. Check with L&I, and keep any ICC certifications you rely on current.
Renewal cycle
Not stated
CE hours
Not stated
Renewal fee
Not stated
Late penalty
Not stated
Renewing your license?
See the Pennsylvania CE guide: hours, deadline, required topics and how to renew.
FAQ
Pennsylvania code official license FAQs
Does Pennsylvania have its own code inspector exam?
Not for most roles. L&I accepts ICC certifications such as B1, B2, E1, M1 and P1. Building code officials also take the State Law and Regulations Examination from the PA Construction Codes Academy.
Which exam do I need to be a residential building inspector?
The ICC B1 Residential Building Inspector exam. It has 60 questions, runs 2 hours and is open book.
What do I need to be a building plans examiner?
Both the ICC B2 Commercial Building Inspector and ICC B3 Building Plans Examiner certifications.
How long is the B2 exam?
The ICC B2 Commercial Building Inspector exam has 80 questions and a 3.5-hour time limit.
How do I schedule my exam?
Submit an application through iccsafe.org or call ICC at 1-888-422-7233. Testing centers are set up in larger cities around the state.
Who do I apply to for certification?
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry. Call 717-787-6085 or visit its Certified Code Officials page.
Sources
Official sources for the Pennsylvania code official license
- Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, Certified Code Officials
- International Code Council (ICC), certification exams
- Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, List of approved certifications
- PA Construction Codes Academy, State Law and Regulations Examination
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.