Construction / Code Official License / Virginia
- Virginia
- Code Official License
- Inspectors & Plans Examiners
- Updated Oct 2026
How to Get Your Virginia Code Official Certification
How Virginia certifies code officials, inspectors and plans examiners for building, electrical, fire protection, mechanical and plumbing work, which exams you need and how to apply through DHCD.
Last updated October 28, 2026 from Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development requirements
Application fee
Not stated
Contact DHCD at 804-371-7180
Exam time
2 hrs
120 minutes per exam, open book
Time to get license
Varies
Depends on how fast you pass your exams
Continuing ed
Not stated
Ask DHCD what your certification needs
Overview
Do you need a Virginia code official license?
Yes, if you enforce the State Building Code for a Virginia city, county or other local government. Code officials, inspectors and plans examiners are certified by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and each discipline has its own exams.
License required when
- You run a local code enforcement department as the code official
- You inspect construction sites and buildings for compliance with the State Building Code
- You review construction documents for permits or compliance as a plans examiner
- You work in building, electrical, fire protection, mechanical or plumbing enforcement
Common exceptions
- Administrative staff in a code department who don’t inspect or review plans
- Contractors and tradespeople doing the construction work, who hold separate trade licenses
Working without certification
Our sources don’t list penalties. In general, DHCD controls who holds a certification, and a locality can’t rely on an uncertified person to enforce the code. Check with DHCD before you take on inspection or plan review duties.
Your fast-track Virginia code official license checklist
The Virginia application, one page
- Discipline and level picked (A, B or C)
- Testing agency chosen: ICC, DHCD or NCPCCI
- Code books tabbed and highlighted
- Passing score of 70% on your exam
- Application to DHCD (804-371-7180)
Types
Virginia code official license types and classifications
Virginia splits certification by discipline and by level: residential (A), general (B) and plan review (C). Exams come through ICC, DHCD or NCPCCI, and DHCD also accepts several ICC certifications.
1A
Residential
Building Inspector, One- & Two-Family
Footing, foundation, framing and final inspections on homes.
Exam
1A or ICC B1
Limit
1–2 family dwellings
1B
Commercial
Building Inspector General
Fire safety, life safety, structural, footing and foundation inspections.
Exam
1B or ICC B2
Limit
All buildings
B3
Plan review
Building Plans Examiner
Reviews construction documents for State Building Code compliance.
Exam
ICC B3
Limit
Plan review
2A/2B
Electrical
Electrical Inspector
Residential (2A) or general (2B) electrical inspections, from services and wiring methods to load calculations.
Exam
2A/2B or ICC E1/E2
Limit
By level
E3
Plan review
Electrical Plans Examiner
Reviews electrical construction documents.
Exam
ICC E3
Limit
Plan review
3B/3C
Fire protection
Fire Protection General & Plan Review
Building structure and fire protection systems, in the field (3B) or on plans (3C).
Exam
3B / 3C
Limit
By level
4A–4C
Mechanical
Mechanical Inspector
Residential (4A), general (4B) and plan review (4C) for appliances, ducts, venting, combustion air and fuel systems.
Exam
4A/4B/4C or ICC M1–M3
Limit
By level
P1–P3
Plumbing
Plumbing Inspector & Plans Examiner
Residential and commercial plumbing inspection, plus plumbing plan review.
Exam
ICC P1, P2 or P3
Limit
By level
Requirements
Virginia code official license requirements, class by class
Pick your discipline, then your level. The state exams are all 50 questions, 120 minutes and open book. ICC certifications on DHCD’s approved list can be used instead.
| Requirement | Residential (A) | General (B) | Plan review (C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building | 1A or ICC B1 | 1B or ICC B2 | ICC B3 |
| Electrical | 2A or ICC E1 | 2B or ICC E2 | ICC E3 |
| Mechanical | 4A or ICC M1 | 4B or ICC M2 | 4C or ICC M3 |
| Plumbing | ICC P1 | ICC P2 | ICC P3 |
| Fire protection | Not stated | 3B | 3C |
| Exam format | 50 questions, 120 min, open book | 50 questions, 120 min, open book | 50 questions, 120 min, open book |
| Experience | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
Steps
How to get your Virginia code official license, step by step
- Pick your discipline and levelBefore you start
Decide whether you’re heading for building, electrical, fire protection, mechanical or plumbing work, and whether that’s residential, general or plan review. - Choose your testing routeBefore you apply
Virginia exams are offered through ICC, DHCD and NCPCCI. Apply to the testing agency you choose to schedule. You can reach ICC at 1-888-422-7233. - Get and tab your code booksBefore exam day
The exams are open book. You can tab and highlight the references, so get comfortable finding things fast. - Pass your exam120 min exam
Each state exam is 50 questions in 120 minutes, and you need 70% to pass. Testing centers are in larger cities around the state. - Apply to DHCDContact DHCD
Submit your certification application to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Start at dhcd.virginia.gov/earn-certification or call 804-371-7180. - Start work for your localityAfter approval
Once certified, you can serve as a code official, inspector or plans examiner in your discipline.
Exam
What to expect on the Virginia code official exam
Virginia’s state exams are short and open book: 50 questions in 120 minutes. The 1A, 2A, 3B/3C and 4A exams list a 70% passing score. Many candidates take an ICC exam instead, since DHCD accepts several ICC certifications.
Format
Open book
Questions
50
Passing score
70%
Exam vendor
ICC, DHCD or NCPCCI
Scoring & content
- 1A: final, footing and foundation, and framing inspections
- 1B: fire safety, life safety, structural, footing and foundation inspections
- 2A/2B: services, wiring methods, overcurrent protection, load and wire-size calculations
- 3B/3C: building structure and fire protection systems
- 4A/4B: appliances, air distribution, piping, venting, combustion air and fuel systems
Retake policy
- Retake rules: Not stated in our sources
- Ask your testing agency (ICC, DHCD or NCPCCI) before you book
- References can be tabbed and highlighted
- Study software can’t be used during the exam
Exam references · Open book
The Virginia building, electrical, fire protection and mechanical inspector exams are open book, and the approved references can be tabbed and highlighted. The list below covers the 1A/1B building, 2A/2B electrical, 3B/3C fire protection and 4A/4B mechanical exams; no reference list has been published in our sources for the 4C mechanical plan review or the plumbing code exams.
| Book | Edition | Use |
|---|---|---|
| International Residential Code (IRC) — 1A Building Inspector and 2A Electrical Inspector One- and Two-Family Dwellings exams | 2021 | Allowed in exam |
| International Building Code (IBC) — 1B Building Inspector General and 3B/3C Fire Protection General & Plan Review exams | 2021 | Allowed in exam |
| NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC) — 2A and 2B Electrical Inspector exams | 2020 | Allowed in exam |
| NFPA 13: Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems — 3B/3C Fire Protection exams | 2019 | Allowed in exam |
| NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code — 3B/3C Fire Protection exams | 2019 | Allowed in exam |
| International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (IRC) — 4A Mechanical Inspector exam | 2018 | Allowed in exam |
| International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — 4B Mechanical Inspector General exam | 2018 | Allowed in exam |
| International Mechanical Code (IMC) — 4B Mechanical Inspector General exam | 2018 | Allowed in exam |
Our sources list the 2018 editions for the 4A and 4B mechanical exams but describe the 2021 editions elsewhere, so confirm the edition in the candidate bulletin before you buy.
Prep
Best Virginia code official exam prep, compared
We haven’t compared prep courses for this exam yet.
Costs
How much does a Virginia code official license cost?
| Item | Type | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| DHCD certification application | Fixed | Not stated |
| Exam fee (ICC, DHCD or NCPCCI) | Fixed | Not stated |
| Code books for your discipline | Variable | Varies |
| Tabs and highlighters | Variable | Varies |
| State fees and exams | Fees aren’t listed in our sources | Not stated |
Confirm current fees with DHCD and your testing agency before you apply.
Reciprocity
Does Virginia accept out-of-state code official licenses?
Our sources don’t describe any state-to-state reciprocity. Your best shortcut is an ICC certification, since DHCD accepts several of them.
No reciprocity agreements
Apply as a new applicant. If you already hold an ICC certification such as B1, E2 or M3, check DHCD’s approved list before you retest.
Local
Do Virginia cities and counties have their own code official licensing rules?
DHCD certifies you, but you work for a local government that has adopted the State Building Code.
State handles
- Code official, inspector and plans examiner certification
- State exams through DHCD
- The list of approved ICC certifications
City & county handle
- Hiring code officials, inspectors and plans examiners
- Running the local code enforcement department
- Permits, inspections and plan review
Governance
Who regulates code officials in Virginia
Licensing authority
Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
804-371-7180
Oversight responsibilities
- Certifies code officials, inspectors and plans examiners
- Offers state certification exams
- Approves ICC certifications that meet Virginia’s requirements
Maintenance
How to renew your Virginia code official license and keep it active
Our sources don’t list renewal or continuing education rules. Ask DHCD what your certification needs to stay current.
Renewal cycle
Not stated
CE hours
Not stated
Renewal fee
Not stated
Late penalty
Not stated
Renewing your license?
See the Virginia CE guide: hours, deadline, required topics and how to renew.
FAQ
Virginia code official license FAQs
Who certifies code officials in Virginia?
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Call 804-371-7180 or start at its earn-certification page.
Can I use an ICC certification in Virginia?
Yes. DHCD accepts several ICC certifications, including B1, B2 and B3 for building, E1–E3 for electrical, M1–M3 for mechanical and P1–P3 for plumbing.
Are the Virginia inspector exams open book?
Yes. The exams are open book, and you can tab and highlight your references.
How long is the exam and what score do I need?
Each state exam is 50 questions in 120 minutes. The 1A, 2A, 3B/3C and 4A exams require 70% to pass.
Where do I take the exam?
Through ICC, DHCD or NCPCCI. You apply with the testing agency you choose, and testing centers are in larger cities around Virginia.
What’s the difference between an inspector and a plans examiner?
An inspector checks construction on site. A plans examiner reviews construction documents for code compliance. Both report findings to the code official.
Sources
Official sources for the Virginia code official license
Last updated October 28, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.