Steps to become a certified building official, building official limited or accessibility specialist

Obtain the necessary prerequisites to qualify for the license exam

The building official (BO) requires 100 points, building official-limited (BO-L) license requires 30 points and the accessibility specialist does not require prerequisites to qualify for the exam. Most applicants begin with the BO-L exam, but you are not required to obtain the BO-L license before taking the BO exam. Points are earned through construction-related work experience, education or certifications.

Some individuals seeking this career may not have any prior experience or education in construction. These individuals can still become inspectors but will need to earn the necessary prerequisites. North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park offers a 14 credit Building Inspection Technology Certificate program that garners 30 points. For those who cannot commit to this or other industry-related educational paths, an individual can study and seek to obtain International Code Council (ICC) certifications. View the exam catalog here. If you are interested in taking a certification exam, contact us to ensure it is an acceptable certification and to verify the eligible points. For qualifying ICC certifications, each one may range between five and 40 points. All prerequisites submitted must be verified by staff for relevance in accordance with Minnesota Rules 1301.0300 before a candidate is approved to continue in the process.

Submit your application

When you are confident that you are ready, you can apply online following the steps below. You will be prompted for a $50 card payment during the process. Be sure to attach all of your supporting documents for the purposes of totaling eligible points or your application may be delayed or denied. When your information has been verified to have met the minimum prerequisites, you will receive a confirmation email from the department.

1. Visit iMS - the agency's online licensing system. You can create an account, or proceed as a guest without creating an account. A "guest” will have quicker access to apply but not have the option to review the status of your application later.

2. Select “Apply or Renew a License”, then select “Building Official”.

3. Select the appropriate exam/license type: Accessibility Specialist (AS), Building Official-Limited (BO-L), or Building Official (BO).

4. Enter the information as requested.

5. Upload supporting documents.

6. Pay $50 application fee.

7. Select “Submit”.

Study

Once you qualify, view our pre-course and exam study material resources to prepare for the course and your exam.

Take the Building Official-Limited Training Program

Once you qualify with 30 points for the BO-L license exam, you must participate in a week-long training course provided by Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) staff known as the Building Official-Limited Training Program. There is no additional fee for the course, and it is offered three times each year – early in March, early in June and late in October. You will be prompted to select a course date when you apply for the exam. The course provides in-depth information to prepare the students for a career as a building inspector. It is not designed as a “test prep” course, and additional study will be necessary to prepare for the exam. A qualified applicant seeking the BO-L certification may not schedule their exam until the weeklong training course has been completed.

Schedule your license exam

Once you have completed the weeklong Building Official-Limited Training Program, you will receive an email with information to schedule your exam. Exams are offered on an ongoing basis at various locations across the state but are offered most frequently at the DLI's office in St. Paul.

Submit your license fee

Once you pass the exam, you will need to fill out an Individual Personal License Application form and pay a $30 fee to obtain your license.

Become an inspector

It is recommended to begin looking for jobs early into your job transition, but certainly once you obtain your license. Most jobs are posted on the League of Minnesota Cities careers web page.

This is a basic explanation. View additional information and resources for building officials. After reading through the links and information, feel free to call or email us if you have additional questions specific to your situation or experience. Please note that the application fee is non-refundable, so if you are unsure if your education or work experience would qualify for the prerequisites required, contact us before you apply.

More information

If you require an accommodation for a disability or require further assistance, contact us at bolas.dli@state.mn.us or 651-284-5146.

In the event of an insufficient number of qualified candidates, courses may be cancelled and rescheduled. Attendees will be notified of scheduling changes one week prior to the course.

Questions?

Contact us at bolas.dli@state.mn.us.