Scope of Practice & Entrance Qualifications

In order to become a safety codes officer, applicants must meet certain entrance requirements.

Please see below for qualification requirements and scope(s) of practice for each discipline. Entrance qualifications include a combination of prior education, credentials, and work experience to demonstrate base competency in skills relevant to working as an SCO in each discipline.

Return to Become an SCO to learn more about submitting qualifications for review and taking courses.

The amusement rides technical discipline has one safety codes officer classification.

Amusement Rides

  • A registered professional engineer in mechanical, electrical, civil, or manufacturing industrial discipline with two years of experience in mechanical and electrical equipment design, maintenance, and/or inspection directly related to the amusement rides industry;
  • A registered engineering technician in mechanical, electrical, or manufacturing technology with three years of experience in mechanical and electrical equipment design, maintenance and/or testing directly related to the amusement rides industry;
  • A certificate of proficiency in the trade of elevator constructor, millwright, mechanic, or nondestructive testing with five years of experience in mechanical and electrical equipment design, maintenance and/or inspection directly related to the amusement rides industry;
  • A high school diploma and subsequent classroom instruction of minimum 320 hours with eight (8) years of experience in mechanical and electrical equipment design, maintenance and/or inspection directly related to the amusement rides industry; or
  • An Elevators Group A or Group B Safety Codes Officer Certificate of Competency.

Building Residential

Scope of Practice

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
Entry Qualifications

​One of the following:

  • Journeyman carpenter, plumber, electrician, sheet metal worker or bricklayer certification recognized in Alberta and three (3) years of relevant experience* in the building construction industry after receiving that journeyman certification;
  • Engineering or architecture degree recognized in Canada and three (3) years of relevant experience* in the building construction industry, at least one (1) of which must be completed after obtaining that degree;
  • A two (2) year technology diploma in a related field or equivalent recognized in Canada and three (3) years of relevant experience* in the building construction industry after obtaining that diploma;
  • High school diploma or equivalent and seven (7) years of relevant experience* in the building construction industry, plus participation in a one (1) year Council Mentorship Program; or
  • Certification as a building official or inspector issued by a regulatory body or professional association in another jurisdiction and three (3) years of work experience as a building official or inspector outside of Alberta.

*Note: relevant experience is work: related to the design, construction, commissioning, repair or renovation of buildings and structures regulated by the Alberta Building Code, or the supervision of work or projects regulated by the Alberta Building Code (a code based on the model National Building Code of Canada will be considered an acceptable alternative to the Alberta Building Code) and that may include a combination of onsite and office work but shall, in all cases, include onsite involvement in the construction process.

Building Part 9

Scope of Practice

  1. 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).

Entry Qualifications

  • ​Eligible for certification as a Residential Building safety codes officer.

Building Part 3

Scope of Practice

  1. All buildings within the scope of the edition of the Building Code declared in force in Alberta (except HVAC systems).
  2. Medical gas piping systems within the scope of the edition of the Building Code declared in force in Alberta.
  3. HVAC systems excluded are those within the scope of sections 9.32 and 9.33 and Part 6 of the edition of the Alberta building code declared in force in Alberta.

Entry Qualifications

​Eligible for certification as a Part 9 Building safety codes officer.

Building HVAC Residential

Scope of Practice

  1. HVAC systems for residential dwellings within the scope of sections 9.32 and 9.33 in the edition of the Building Code declared in force in Alberta.
  2. Hydronic heating systems within the scope of Part 6 of the edition of the Building Code declared in force in Alberta.

Entry Qualifications

​One of the following:

  • Journeyman carpenter, plumber, electrician, sheet metal worker or bricklayer certification recognized in Alberta and three (3) years of relevant experience in the building construction industry after receiving that journeyman certification;
  • Engineering or architecture degree recognized in Canada and three (3) years of relevant experience in the building construction industry, at least one (1) of which must be completed after obtaining that degree;
  • A two (2) year technology diploma in a related field or equivalent recognized in Canada and three (3) years of relevant experience in the building construction industry after obtaining that diploma;
  • High school diploma or equivalent and seven (7) years of relevant experience in the building construction industry, plus participation in a one (1) year Council Mentorship Program; or
  • Certification as a building official or inspector issued by a regulatory body or professional association in another jurisdiction and three (3) years of work experience as a building official or inspector outside of Alberta.

Building HVAC All

Scope of Practice

  1. All HVAC systems within the scope of sections 9.32 and 9.33, and Part 6 of the edition of the Alberta Building Code declared in force in Alberta.
  2. Medical gas piping systems within the scope of the edition of the Building Code declared in force in Alberta.

Entry Qualifications

​Eligible for certification as an HVAC Residential Building safety codes officer.

Building Medical Gas

Scope of Practice:

  1. Medical gas piping systems within the scope of the edition of the Building Code declared in force in Alberta.

Entry Qualifications

​Certification as a Plumbing Group A and Gas Group A safety codes officer.

Building Hydronic Heating

Scope of Practice

  1. Hydronic heating systems within the scope of Part 6 of the edition of the Building Code declared in force in Alberta.

Entry Qualifications

​Certification as a Plumbing Group A safety codes officer.

Electrical Group A

Scope of Practice

  1. Electrical installations governed by the editions of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1, and Code for Electrical Installations at Oil and Gas Facilities declared in force in Alberta.

Entry Qualifications

  • Journeyman electrician certification recognized in Alberta and six (6) years of relevant work experience as a journeyman electrician; or
  • Electrical engineering technologist diploma recognized in Canada and eight (8) years of relevant work experience after receiving that diploma; or
  • Electrical engineering degree recognized in Canada and eight (8) years of relevant work experience after receiving that degree.

Electrical Group B

Scope of Practice

  1. Electrical utility installations governed by the edition of the Alberta Electrical Utility Code declared in-force in Alberta.

Entry Qualifications

  • Journeyman electrician, power lineman, or power system electrician certification recognized in Alberta and six (6) years of relevant work experience as a journeyman electrician, power lineman or power system electrician; or
  • Electrical engineering technologist diploma recognized in Canada and eight (8) years of relevant work experience after receiving that diploma; or
  • Electrical engineering degree recognized in Canada and eight (8) years of relevant work experience after receiving that degree.

Note: Relevant work experience is that related to generation, distribution and transmission systems.

Elevators Group A-E Level 1

Level One: conducts periodic in-service inspections

The groups are:

  1. Group A: Escalators and Moving Walks
  2. Group B: Elevators and Dumbwaiters
  3. Group C: Vertical Lifts for Persons with Physical Disabilities and Stair Lifts for Persons with Physical Disabilities
  4. Group D: Power type Manlift Hoists, Power Beltlifts
  5. Group E: Personnel Hoists

Group A and B – Entrance Qualifications

  • Holds an Alberta Journeyman Elevator Constructor certificate, or recognized equivalent;
  • Is a registered professional engineer in the province of Alberta with four (4) years relevant experience; or
  • Meets the requirements of the Standard Qualifications of Elevator Inspectors (ASMEQEI-1).

Group C and D – Entrance Qualifications

  • Holds an Alberta Journeyman Elevator Constructor certificate, or recognized equivalent;
  • Has two (2) years of relevant work experience in maintenance and repair of devices in the Groups(s) applied for;
  • Has Group A and Group B certification; or
  • Meets the requirements of the Standard Qualifications of Elevator Inspectors (ASME
    QEI-1).

Group E – Entrance Qualifications

  • Holds an Alberta Journeyman Elevator Constructor certificate, or recognized equivalent; and
  • Has two (2) years of relevant work experience in maintenance, repair or construction of devices in the Group applied for; or
  • Holds Group A and Group B certification

Elevators Group A-E Level 2

Level 2: conducts plans reviews, acceptance inspections, and accident investigations

The groups are:

  1. Group A: Escalators and Moving Walks
  2. Group B: Elevators and Dumbwaiters
  3. Group C: Vertical Lifts for Persons with Physical Disabilities and Stair Lifts for Persons with Physical Disabilities
  4. Group D: Power type Manlift Hoists, Power Beltlifts
  5. Group E: Personnel Hoists

Entry Qualifications: All Groups

  • Certification as an Elevators safety codes officer Level 1 in the Group(s) applied for.

Technical Requirements: All Groups

  • Complete mentoring in plans review and acceptance inspections in the Group(s) applied for under the supervision of a Level 2 safety codes officer as set out in Attachment B; and
  • Successful completion of a recognized course on:
    • auditing principals; and
    • accident investigation.

Groups A, B, and E

  • Complete ASME QE-1 certification within 18 months of certification

Fire Group A

Scope of Practice​

  1. Inspect major occupancy buildings identified as small assembly, residential, business and personal services, mercantile, and low hazard industrial buildings (less than 600 m2). These buildings:
    1.1. may not have fire alarm systems, standpipe systems, sprinkler systems or other automatic fire suppression systems with the exception that they may have a commercial wet chemical kitchen fire suppression system;
    1.2. cannot be an assembly occupancy with an occupant load greater than 150 people;
    1.3. cannot be a group B1, B2, or B3 occupancy (detention, treatment, or care facility), such as a penitentiary, or hospital; and
    1.4. cannot be a group F1 or F2 occupancy (high and medium hazard industrial) such as chemical warehouse or spray-paint operations.
  2. Establish occupant loads for any building identified as the scope of practice of Group A where the occupant load is less than 150 persons.
  3.  Conduct investigations where:
    3.1. fire loss is estimated to be less than $1 million;
    3.2. there is no death or injury requiring medical attention; and/or
    3.3. the fire is not suspected to be arson.
  4. If during the investigation, arson becomes a reasonable suspicion, or a fire death is discovered, the investigation must be handed to a Group C Fire Investigator Level 2 safety codes officer. The safety codes officer who began the investigation may assist.
  5. Investigate unsafe conditions in all classifications of buildings identified in the Alberta Building Code.
  6. Cannot issue orders, variances, permits, or enforce an order.

Entry Qualifications

  • High School Diploma or Grade 12 Equivalent (A copy of your diploma or equivalent will be required when you apply.)

Fire Group B1 (Inspector)

Scope of Practice

  1. Inspect any building classified in the National Building Code – Alberta Edition, other than those identified as group F1, high hazard industrial buildings and
    “high buildings” as referenced in 3.2.6.1.(1).
  2. Conduct investigations according to the scope of Group A Fire SCOs.
  3. Establish occupant loads for any building with an occupant load of less than 300 persons.
  4. Investigate unsafe conditions in all classifications of buildings identified in the Building Code.
  5. Issue and enforce orders for any building identified in the scope of practice.
  6. Cannot issue permits for petroleum storage tanks.
  7. Cannot issue variances.

Entry Qualifications

  • Fire Group A Certification or NFPA 1031 Level 1

Fire Group B2 (Inspector)

​Scope of Practice

  1. Inspect all classifications of buildings identified in the Alberta Building Code.
  2. Conduct investigations according to the scope of practice of Group A SCOs.
  3. Establish occupant loads for any classification of building identified in the Alberta Building Code.
  4. Issue orders, variances, and enforce orders.
  5. Cannot issue permits.
  6. Investigate unsafe conditions in all classifications of buildings identified in the Alberta Building Code.

Entry Qualifications
Fire Group B Level 1 Certification or NFPA 1031 Level 2

Fire Group C1 (Investigator)

Scope of Practice

1. Investigate the origin and cause of fires where:

1.1. fire loss is estimated to be less than $2 million;
1.2. no death has occurred; and
1.3. the fire is not suspected to be arson.

2. If during the investigation arson becomes a reasonable suspicion, or a fire death is discovered, the investigation will be handed to a Group C Level 2 Fire SCO. The SCO who began the investigation may assist.

3. Investigate unsafe conditions in all classifications of buildings identified in the Alberta Building Code.

4. Establish occupant loads according to the scope of practice for a Group A Fire SCO.

5. Cannot issue orders or variances, enforce orders, or issue permits.

6. Inspect small, assembly, residential, business and personal services, mercantile and low hazard industrial buildings (less than 600 m2). These buildings:

6.1. may not have fire alarm systems, standpipe systems, sprinkler systems or other automatic fire suppression systems with the exception that they may have a commercial wet chemical kitchen fire suppression system;
6.2. are not an assembly occupancy with an occupational load greater than 150;
6.3. cannot be a group B1, B2, or B3 occupancy (detention, treatment, or care facility) such as a penitentiary, or hospital; and
6.4. cannot be a group F1, or, F2 occupancy (high and medium hazard industrial), such as chemical warehouse or spray-paint operations.

 

Entry Qualifications
Fire Group A Certification or NFPA 1033

Fire Group C2 (Investigator)

Scope of Practice

  1. Investigate the origin and cause of fires in all classifications of buildings identified in the Alberta Building Code.
  2. Investigate unsafe conditions in all buildings identified in the Alberta Building Code.
  3. Establish occupant loads according to the scope of practice for a Group A Fire SCO.
  4. Inspect small assembly, residential, business and personal services, mercantile, and low hazard industrial buildings (less than 600 m2). These buildings:
    4.1. may not have fire alarm systems, standpipe systems, sprinkler systems or other automatic fire suppression systems with the exception that they may have a commercial wet chemical kitchen fire suppression system;
    4.2. cannot be an assembly occupancy with an occupational load greater than 150 persons;
    4.3. cannot be a group B1, B2, or B3 occupancy (detention, treatment, or care facility) such as a penitentiary, or hospital; and
    4.4. cannot be a group F1, or, F2 occupancy (high and medium hazard industrial), such as chemical warehouse or spray-paint operations.
  5. Cannot issue orders or variances, enforce orders, or issue permits.

Entry Qualifications
Fire Group C Level 1 Certification or NFPA 1033

Fire Group E (Petroleum Tanks)

Scope of Practice

  1. The scope of practice is limited to petroleum storage tank and petroleum storage tank systems within part 4 of theNational Fire Code – Alberta Edition.
  2. Inspection of new and existing above ground tank, piping and dispensing installations and removals.
  3. Inspection of new and existing underground storage tank, piping and dispensing installations and removals.
  4. Investigate unsafe conditions only related to petroleum storage tanks.
  5. Issue permits and variances for petroleum storage tanks.
  6. Cannot investigate the origin and cause of fires.

 

Entry Qualifications
Fire Group B Level 2 Certification or Canadian Petroleum Contractors Association (CPCA) PM 1 or PM 2 Certification

Gas Group A

Scope of Practice

  1. Natural gas and propane installations governed by the editions of the CSA B149.1 Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code and B149.2 Propane Storage and Handling Code declared in force in Alberta.

Entry Qualifications

  • Journeyman gasfitter certification recognized in Alberta; and
  • Five (5) years of relevant work experience as a journeyman gasfitter.

Passenger Ropeways Level 1 - Groups A-F

Level One: conducts periodic/regular in-service inspections

The Passenger Ropeways technical discipline has 12 certification classifications. There are six groups and within each group there are two levels:

The groups are:

  1. Group A: Rope Tows, including Rope Tows for Secondary Carriers
  2. Group B: Surface Passenger Ropeways, including ropeways for Secondary Carriers
  3. Group C: Above-Surface Passenger Ropeways – Fixed Grip Type
  4. Group D: Above-Surface Passenger Ropeways – Detachable Grip Type
  5. Group E: Reversible Passenger Ropeways
  6. Group F: Conveyors

Entrance Qualifications: Level One

All Groups

  • A person performing maintenance, repairs and trouble-shooting, with at least 8,000 hours of experience consisting of not less than the hours specified below.
  • A recognized tradesperson such as millwright, electrician, or elevator mechanic; a technologist/technician (certified through a recognized post-secondary institution); or a
    professional engineer with at least 3000 hours experience performing maintenance, repairs, or trouble-shooting consisting of not less than the hours specified below;
  •  an Elevator safety codes officer, Group A and B, with no additional hours of experience.

Experience hours for each Group are:

  • Group A: 250 hours with rope tows/rope tows for secondary carriers;
  • Group B: 300 hours with surface passenger ropeways/surface passenger ropeways for secondary carriers;
  • Group C: 500 hours with fixed grip above surface lifts;
  • Group D: 500 hours with detachable-grip above surface lifts;
  • Group E: 500 hours with reversible ropeways; and
  • Group F: 200 hours with conveyors.

Experience hours may be granted for entry qualification equivalency where mentoring has taken place. A Level Two safety codes officer, certified in the Group that the
individual is applying for, must be the mentor.

Passenger Ropeways Level 2 - Groups A-F

Level Two: issues permits, conducts plans reviews, acceptance inspections, audits and accident investigations

The groups are:

  1. Group A: Rope Tows, including Rope Tows for Secondary Carriers
  2. Group B: Surface Passenger Ropeways, including ropeways for Secondary Carriers
  3. Group C: Above-Surface Passenger Ropeways – Fixed Grip Type
  4. Group D: Above-Surface Passenger Ropeways – Detachable Grip Type
  5. Group E: Reversible Passenger Ropeways
  6. Group F: Conveyors

Entrance Qualifications

  • Level One certification in the Passenger Ropeways Discipline with one year relevant experience after certification in the group(s) applied for.

Plumbing Group A

Scope of Practice

  1. Plumbing installations governed by the edition of the National Plumbing Code of Canada declared in force in Alberta.

Entry Qualifications

  • Journeyman plumber certification recognized in Alberta; and
  • Five years of relevant experience as a journeyman plumber.

Plumbing Group B

Scope of Practice

  1. Private sewage disposal systems governed by the edition of the Alberta Private Sewage Systems Standard of Practice declared in force in Alberta.

 

Entry Qualifications

  • Journeyman plumber certification recognized in Alberta; or
  • Environmental or Public Health Officer certification; or
  • Technologist diploma in a related field that is recognized in Canada; or
  • Engineering degree in a related field that is recognized in Canada; or
  • Bachelor of Science degree in a related field that is recognized in Canada; or
  • Alberta Private Sewage Disposal System Installer certification.

Pressure Equipment

Pressure Equipment safety codes officers perform jurisdictional functions.

Entry Qualifications

  • B.Sc in related engineering discipline, OR
  • First or Second Class Power Engineer’s Certification of Competency, OR
  • Two year technical diploma in a related discipline

In addition to the above, to meet the Entry Qualifications, you must also:

  • Provide documentation to prove that you have obtained a National Board Commission, and
  • Be performing jurisdictional functions.

Ready to Start?

Applications for certification and registration for training are handled by our online system, Council Connect.

As a guest, you can view the Learning Path for each discipline, which outlines required courses. If you have previously done business with the Safety Codes Council, you already have an account with us.

Click here to view Learning Paths

Council Connect