Building Discipline Hub
Welcome to the building discipline hub. This page is your central resource for certification, training, and updates specific to the discipline. Bookmark this page and check back regularly for updates, important announcements, and new resources.
Certifications
Entry Qualifications
One of the following:
- Journeyperson carpenter, plumber, electrician, sheet metal worker or bricklayer certification and three years of relevant experience* after receiving that journeyperson certification.
- Engineering or architecture degree and three years of relevant experience*, at least one of which must be completed after obtaining that degree.
- A two-year technology diploma in a related field or equivalent and three years of relevant experience* after obtaining that diploma.
- Seven years of relevant experience*; also see Mentorship Requirements below.
*Relevant experience means on-site experience in the design, construction, commissioning, repair or renovation of buildings and structures regulated by a code based on or substantively equivalent to the model National Building Code of Canada.
Additional Requirements
Applicants entering the program via the seven years of relevant experience path will be certified probationary upon completion of their training; to achieve standard certification, they must complete an approved mentorship program under the supervision of a Building Safety Codes Officer with standard certification while employed with an accredited organization.
Scope of Practice
- Houses within the scope of Article 9.10.15.1 in the edition of the building code declared in force in Alberta, excluding HVAC systems within the scope of sections 9.32 and 9.33 and Part 6.
- Garages and accessory buildings located on the same property as a house within the scope of Article 9.10.15.1 in the edition of the building code declared in force in Alberta.
Required Courses
Base Competency:
Introduction to the Safety Codes System in Alberta (100179) — $400
Written Communications for Safety Codes Officers (100145) — $325
Professional Communication Skills for Safety Codes Officers (100140) — $250
Technical Training:
Introduction to the National Building Code (NBC) 2023 Alberta Edition (924197) — $410
Administration and Compliance Monitoring: NBC 2023 Alberta Edition (924198) — $410
Structure and Materials: NBC 2023 Alberta Edition (924199) — $410
Residential Fire Protection, Occupant Health and Safety: NBC 2023 Alberta Edition (924200) — $410
Energy Conservation and Building Envelope for Residential Safety Codes Officers: NBC 2023 Alberta Edition (924201) — $410
9.36 Energy Efficiency for Housing and Small Buildings: NBC 2023 Alberta Edition (924202) — $250
Construction Safety Training System Certificate
Entry Qualifications
Standard certification as Building Residential Safety Codes Officer.
Scope of Practice
Buildings within the scope of Part 9 (excluding HVAC systems and Part 10) of the edition of the building code declared in force in Alberta.
Required Courses
Part 9 Fire Protection, Health and Safety: National Building Code (NBC) 2019 Alberta Edition (100203) — $410
Accessibility, Energy Conservation, and Building Envelope for Part 9 (100204) — $410
Part 10 Relocatable Industrial Accommodation: NBC 2019 Alberta Edition (100214) — $375
Entry Qualifications
Standard certification as a Building Part 9 Safety Codes Officer.
Scope of Practice
- All buildings within the scope of the edition of the National Building Code Alberta Edition declared in force (except HVAC systems).
- Medical gas piping systems within the scope of the edition of the National Building Code Alberta Edition declared in force.
- HVAC systems excluded are those within the scope of sections 9.32 and 9.33 and Part 6 of the National Building Code Alberta Edition declared in force.
Required Courses
HVAC and Mechanical Considerations for Part 3 Buildings (100205) — $410
Building, Classification: National Building Code (NBC) 2019 Alberta Edition (100206) — $410
Fire Protection, Finishes, Plumbing and Health Services (100207) — $410
Building, Egress, and Vertical Transportation: NBC 2019 Alberta Edition (100208)— $410
Fire Alarm and Fire Suppression Systems: NBC 2019 Alberta Edition (100209) — $410
Building Envelope for Part 3 Buildings: NBC 2019 Alberta Edition (100210) — $375
National Energy Code for Buildings: NECB 2017 (100211) — $250
Entry Qualifications
One of the following:
- Journeyperson carpenter, plumber, electrician, sheet metal worker or bricklayer certification and three years of relevant experience* after receiving that journeyperson certification.
- Engineering or architecture degree and three years of relevant experience*, at least one of which must be completed after obtaining that degree.
- Two-year technology diploma in a related field and three years of relevant experience* after obtaining that diploma.
- Seven years of relevant experience*; also see Mentorship Requirements below.
*Relevant experience means on-site experience in the design, construction, commissioning, repair or renovation of buildings and structures regulated by a code based on or substantively equivalent to the model National Building Code of Canada.
Additional Requirements
Applicants entering the program via the seven years of relevant experience path will be certified probationary upon completion of their training; to achieve standard certification, they must complete an approved mentorship program under the supervision of a Building Safety Codes Officer with standard certification while employed with an accredited organization.
Scope of Practice
- HVAC systems for residential dwellings within the scope of sections 9.32 and 9.33 of the National Building Code Alberta Edition declared in force.
- Hydronic heating systems within the scope of Part 6 of the National Building Code Alberta Edition declared in force.
Required Courses
Base Competency:
Introduction to the Safety Codes System in Alberta (100179) — $400
Written Communications for Safety Codes Officers (100145) — $325
Professional Communication Skills for Safety Codes Officers (100140) — $250
Technical Training:
Introduction to the National Building Code (NBC) 2023 Alberta Edition (924197) — $410
Administration and Compliance Monitoring: NBC 2023 Alberta Edition (924198) — $410
9.36 Energy Efficiency for Housing and Small Buildings: NBC 2023 Alberta Edition (924202) — $250
Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning: NBC 2023 Alberta Edition (924212) — $410
Construction Safety Training System Certificate
Entry Qualifications
Standard certification as a Building HVAC Residential Safety Codes Officer.
Scope of Practice
- All HVAC systems within the scope of sections 9.32 and 9.33, and Part 6 of the National Building Code Alberta edition declared in force.
- Medical gas piping systems within the scope of the National Building Code Alberta Edition declared in force.
Required Courses
HVAC and Mechanical Considerations for Part 3 Buildings (100205) — $410
Entry Qualifications
Standard certification as a Plumbing and Gas Safety Codes Officer.
Scope of Practice
Medical gas piping systems within the scope of the National Building Code Alberta Edition declared in force.
Required Courses
Medical Gas Piping Systems: NBC 2019 Alberta Edition (100215) — $375
Introduction to the National Building Code 2023 Alberta Edition (924197) — $410
Administration and Compliance Monitoring: NBC 2023 Alberta Edition (924198) — $410
Construction Safety Training System Certificate
Entry Qualifications
Standard certification as a Plumbing Safety Codes Officer.
Scope of Practice
Hydronic heating systems within the scope of Part 6 of the National Building Code Alberta Edition declared in force.
Required Courses
Introduction to the National Building Code (NBC) 2023 Alberta Edition (924197) — $410
Administration and Compliance Monitoring: NBC 2023 Alberta Edition (924198) — $410
Construction Safety Training System Certificate
Code Update Training
The National Building Code – 2023 Alberta Edition came into force on May 1, 2024. Building safety codes officers are required to complete code update training.
Continuing Education
All safety codes officers must complete 30 continuing education credits over three years to renew their certification. For discipline-specific continuing education resources, explore the Council’s education resources.
Organizations of Note
- Building Sub-Council: Members meet regularly to discuss issues in the industry.
- Accessibility Sub-Council: Members discuss issues related to accessibility in the built environment.
- Alberta Building Officials Association (ABOA): A forum for Alberta’s Building Safety Codes Officers to network, share information, and stay current on industry developments.
- Alliance of Canadian Building Officials’ Associations (ACBOA): Provides resources and services to support building code officials across Canada.
- Building Industry & Land Development Association Alberta (BILD): Represents the residential construction industry and offers information and learning resources.
- Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes: Develops Canada’s national model codes.
- CSA Group: Publishes codes and standards across disciplines.
- American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE): An international professional association.
Official Documents
Other Links and Resources
We’re continuing to build this page. If you know of a resource that should be included, please contact us at certification@safetycodes.ab.ca.