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Fire is one of the most destructive forces in nature, and when it breaks out in residential or commercial structures, it can not only damage property but also cost lives. This is why fire protection code officials who inspect for safety and code compliance are so critical in the construction industry.

Before you can become a code official in New Jersey, you must obtain a license from the Department of Community Affairs, Division of Codes and Standards, Licensing and Education Unit.

What a Fire Protection Code Official Does

In New Jersey, the two classes of fire protection code officials are Industrial and Commercial Specialist (ICS) and High-rise-Hazardous Specialist (HHS).

Both are responsible for reviewing building plans to ensure compliance with safety standards and the state Uniform Construction Code, as well as conducting on-site visits during construction to check that completed work aligns with approved plans and complies with applicable codes.

Code officials are also responsible for issuing violation notices and stop-work orders until builders comply. ICS licenses permit professional inspectors to carry out these duties in relation to commercial, industrial, and multi-family residential structures that are not considered high-rise.

With an HHS license, you may assess and approve plans and construction for buildings classified as high-rise (six or more stories or over 60 feet high).

Requirements to Obtain a License

There are considerable experience and education requirements to become a licensed fire protection code official in New Jersey. For an ICS license, you must complete five years of qualifying experience as any of the following:

• Fire service professional (fire prevention, fire protection, or firefighting)
• Journeyman in construction, design, or supervision under the fire protection subcode
• Construction contractor regulated by the fire protection subcode

Alternatively, you may obtain an associate's degree in code enforcement, fire science, or fire science technology, as well as two years of qualifying experience, or a bachelor's degree in fire science, architecture, engineering, related technologies, or a related area of study, along with one year of qualifying experience.

For an HHS license, experience requirements jump from five to seven years. Alternatively, you may obtain an associate's degree and three years of qualifying experience or a bachelor's degree and two years of experience.

What to Expect With Exams

In addition to experience and education requirements, you must pass exams issued by the National Certification for Construction Code Inspectors. To obtain an ICS license, you must pass the 3B Fire Protection General and 4A Mechanical One- and Two-Family Dwellings Exams.

The 3B Exam consists of 50 questions about building structure and fire protection systems. The 4A exam features 50 questions on the following topics:

• Appliances, equipment, and distribution systems
• Chimneys, vents, and air combustion
• Fuel systems

To obtain an HHS license, you must pass the 3C Fire Protection and Plan Review Exam, consisting of 50 questions about building structure and fire protection systems. You will have two hours to complete each of these open-book exams, and you must answer a minimum of 70% of the questions correctly to pass.

Exam Prep That Works for Working Professionals

Are you ready to obtain your ICS or HHS fire protection code official license in New Jersey with the help of an exam prep program that offers the convenience of 24/7 online access? Contact RocketCert today to learn more.