SBOA CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

There are two categories of designations under the SBOA Certification Program: Building Code Qualified (BCQ) and Certified Building Official (CBO), and three levels in each category. The levels are based on occupancy types and building size groupings in the National Building Code of Canada: Level 1 – Housing, Level 2 – Part 9 Small Buildings, and Level 3 – Part 3 Large and Complex Buildings. Candidates are required to meet initial qualification requirements and to meet maintenance requirements. Failure to meet maintenance requirements may result in a member’s designation being revoked or member being assessed a disciplinary penalty.

For additional details see Policy 6.02 Certification Program in SBOA Policy & Procedures Manual.

Building Code Qualified Levels and Qualifications

BCQ Level 1 – Housing
Prerequisite
  • Is SBOA member in good standing
Exams
  • SBOA Level 1 Exam No. 1 and
  • SBOA Level 1 Exam No. 2
Courses to support knowledge development for exams (not mandatory)
  • ACBOA “The House”
  • SC “BCTC – Series I”
Acceptable Equivalents
  • SK Class 1 Building Official Licence Designation or
  • ACBOA “Associate-Housing” Designation or
  • Equivalent to ACBOA “Associate-Housing” Designation from another BOA*
BCQ Level 2 – Part 9 Small Buildings
Prerequisite
  • Is SBOA member in good standing
Exams
  • SBOA Level 2 Exam No. 3 and
  • SBOA Level 2 Exam No. 4 and
  • SBOA Level 2 Exam No. 5
Courses to support knowledge development for exams (not mandatory)
  • ACBOA “Part 9 – Small Buildings”
Acceptable Equivalents
  • SK Class 2 Building Official Licence Designation or
  • ACBOA “Associate-Part 9” Designation or
  • Equivalent to ACBOA “Associate-Part 9” Designation from another BOA*
BCQ Level 3 – Part 3 Large and Complex Buildings
Prerequisite
  • Is SBOA member in good standing
Exams
  • SBOA Level 3 Exam No. 6 and
  • SBOA Level 3 Exam No. 7 and
  • SBOA Level 3 Exam No. 8 and
  • SBOA Level 3 Exam No. 9 and
  • SBOA Level 3 Exam No. 10
Courses to support knowledge development for exams (not mandatory)
  • ACBOA “Part 3 – Large Buildings”
  • ACBOA “Part 3 – complex Buildings”
Acceptable Equivalents
  • SK Class 3 Building Official Licence Designation or
  • ACBOA “Associate-Part 3” Designation or
  • Equivalent to ACBOA “Associate-Part 3” Designation from another BOA*

* SBOA strongly recommends that people who are granted an SBOA designation based on ACBOA or other BOA designations familiarize themselves with requirements of Saskatchewan legislation before or as soon as possible after being granted a designation. SBOA notes that completion of the Province of Saskatchewan’s BOLT (Building Official Licence Training) demonstrates this learning and will be required for renewal of a provincial Building Official Licence after July 1, 2019.

For additional explanation of the process see the flowcharts posted on the Get Certified page.

Certified Building Official Levels and Qualifications

CBO Level 1 – Housing
Prerequisite
  • Is SBOA member in good standing and
  • Qualifies for or holds BCQ Level 1
Experience
  • Appointed as Building Official at Level 1 for a minimum of 2 years and
  • Has completed 60 or more Level 1 plans reviews and/or inspections
Acceptable Equivalents
  • ACBOA “Certified-Housing” Designation or
  • Equivalent to ACBOA “Certified-Housing” Designation from another BOA*
CBO Level 2 – Part 9 Small Buildings
Prerequisite
  • Is SBOA member in good standing and
  • Qualifies for or holds BCQ Level 2
Experience
  • Appointed as Building Official at Level 2 for a minimum of 3 years and
  • Has completed 60 or more Level 2 plans reviews and/or inspections
Acceptable Equivalents
  • ACBOA “Certified-Part 9” Designation or
  • Equivalent to ACBOA “Certified-Part 9” Designation from another BOA*
CBO Level 3 – Part 3 Large and Complex Buildings
Prerequisite
  • Is SBOA member in good standing and
  • Qualifies for or holds BCQ Level 3
Experience
  • Appointed as Building Official at Level 3 for a minimum of 5 years and
  • Has completed 60 or more Level 3 plans reviews and/or inspections
Acceptable Equivalents
  • ACBOA “Certified-Part 3” Designation or
  • Equivalent to ACBOA “Certified-Part 3” Designation from another BOA*

* SBOA strongly recommends that people who are granted an SBOA designation based on ACBOA or other BOA designations familiarize themselves with requirements of Saskatchewan legislation before or as soon as possible after being granted a designation. SBOA notes that completion of the Province of Saskatchewan’s BOLT (Building Official Licence Training) demonstrates this learning and will be required for renewal of a provincial Building Official Licence after July 1, 2019.

For additional explanation of the process see the flowcharts posted on the Get Certified page.

SBOA Exam Program

SBOA exams are two hour, computer-generated, multiple-choice, open book, invigilated (supervised and monitored) exams, containing 50 questions. Each exam writing costs $225CAD plus costs of invigilation. Examination titles (below) suggest the general subject areas of exams. Contents are detailed in the Examination Content Outline.

SBOA BCQ Level 1 / Building Official Licence Class 1 Challenge Exam

  • Exam No. 1 Housing – Building Envelope, and
  • Exam No. 2 Housing – Health and Safety

SBOA BCQ Level 2 / Building Official Licence Class 2 Challenge Exam

  • Exam No. 3 Part 9 Small Buildings – HVAC and Fire Protection, and
  • Exam No. 4 Part 9 Small Buildings – Structural, and
  • Exam No. 5 Part 9 Small Buildings – Plan Review, and

SBOA BCQ Level 3 / Building Official Licence Class 3 Challenge Exam

  • Exam No. 6 Part 3 Large and Complex Buildings – Health and Safety, and
  • Exam No. 7 Part 3 Large and Complex Buildings – Classification and Construction, and
  • Exam No. 8 Part 3 Large and Complex Buildings – Plan Review, and
  • Exam No. 9 Part 3 Large and Complex Buildings – Life Safety Systems, and
  • Exam No. 10 Part 3 Large and Complex Buildings – Fire Protection

In addition to using the exams for SBOA Certifications, the Chief Building Official in the Saskatchewan Ministry of Government Relations agreed in early 2021 to accept the SBOA exams as acceptable alternatives of the existing government Licensing challenge exams.  All other Licensing requisites and pre-requisites have not changed, and issuance and monitoring of Licences remains with the government. The Building Code Training for Canadians will remain as a qualification option for a Class 1 licence.  The government is approaching this agreement for a 1-year trial basis in order to ensure the program serves its purpose effectively, and that any challenges or improvements can be handled efficiently.

The Southeast College is the registrar for the new exam program.  Similar to arrangements for writing Building Code Training for Canadians or Licensing challenge exams, you will make your arrangements with an Exam Writing Location (many of which are still open – contact info will be on the website).  Feedback is instant, and your marks will be held in permanent record with the College.  Exams must be written in Approved Writing Centres. Register to take your exams here: https://exams.acboa.ca/. Select the Saskatchewan option from the drop-down (the only option to date) and select your exam.

For additional explanation of the process see the flowcharts posted on the Get Certified page.