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GENERAL FAQs
What is the Pennsylvania Construction Codes Academy (PCCA)?
With the introduction of the Uniform Construction Code (Act 45 of 1999), the Pennsylvania Construction Codes Academy was created by the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services, Department of Community & Economic Development, to address newly enacted training and certification requirements for construction code officials statewide. With the support of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, and through the cooperative efforts of several sponsoring organizations, the Academy emphasizes meeting the educational needs of those involved in the enforcement of Pennsylvania’s statewide building code. Our partner organizations include the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, the Pennsylvania Municipal League, and the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors.
Since its inception in 2002, the Academy has provided training for nearly 10,000 current and potential code officials, and has become the leading UCC training and education provider in the Commonwealth. The Academy continues to add new courses to our curriculum.
What Type of Training Does PCCA Offer?
The Academy offers administrative, residential, and commercial courses specifically tailored to the individual disciplines required for certification by the Department of Labor & Industry.
Most of our certification courses are designed to help prepare students take the required certification examinations, and frequently incorporate practice exams along with practical information on the application of the codes. Please note, however, that not all of our courses are exam-prep courses, and independent study is highly recommended. In addition to the basic courses, we offer a variety of continuing-education workshops ranging from the inspection of manufactured housing to enforcement of the International Property Maintenance Code.
All of the Academy’s courses are accepted by the Department of Labor & Industry for continuing-education credits. Selective courses are eligible for International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and American Institute of Architects/Continuing Education System (AIA/CES) continuing education units.
Who Should Attend PCCA Courses?
Academy courses are open to anyone: code officials, inspectors, contractors, builders, and design professionals. Although there are no prerequisites, our courses tend to be fast-paced and are directed primarily to those have at least a basic working knowledge of building construction principles and codes.
Is There A Particular Track I Should Follow?
There are no courses to be taken in a specific order. For someone new to building codes, we recommend beginning with our residential inspection courses. Generally speaking, residential inspection and plan review tends to be less complicated. A great introduction is RA 101: Residential Building Academy.
For others with experience in commercial construction or in one of the specific trades (such as electrical work), certification reciprocity allows those who are certified as commercial inspectors and plans examiners to perform residential inspections and plans review. For example, a commercial plumbing inspector may also perform residential plumbing inspections. The certification category must match from commercial to residential.
Certification reciprocity does not transfer from residential categories to commercial however. For example, a residential mechanical inspector may not perform commercial mechanical inspections or mechanical plans review.
There is no separate plans examiner certification for the residential disciplines; those certified as commercial plans examiners may perform residential plan reviews for those particular disciplines.
Where Are PCCA Courses Held?
The Academy's continuing education courses are held throughout the state in major metropolitan and rural areas alike. All of the facilities are easy to access and have ample parking for registrants. Click here for a list of our scheduled courses.
How Do I Register for a Course?
For your convenience the Academy provides several options for registrations:
Register online using a major credit card (Mastercard, Visa, Discover, American Express)
Complete registration form attached to your monthly training calendar and mail it with payment to PCCA.
Online payments by Credit Card are the only form of payment accepted.
Because space is limited, early registration is highly recommended. All registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Walk-in registrants may be accepted at locations where seating and materials are available.
Please note that registering for an Academy course does not automatically register you for the certification examination, with the exception of the BCO 101: Building Code Official Certification Academy, administered solely by the Academy.