How to Launch Your Florida Building Inspector Career
Published on September 11, 2025 by Nate Bortz
Becoming a building inspector is a great career choice for anyone, but especially those already working in the construction industry. It doesn’t require a college degree, you work and serve your local community, and there are plenty of employment opportunities.
This guide covers everything you need to know to get started, from prerequisite licensing requirements to job duties.
High-Level Definitions and Salary Expectations
Before we start, let’s clarify a few things. The state has many different inspector license types to choose from. For the sake of simplicity, this guide focuses on the “BN” building code inspector license type and the Certification by Examination or Endorsement application method.
A building code inspector typically works for their local government and makes sure that construction projects follow all relevant codes. Whether it’s a new building or a simple repair, if the job needs to comply with building, plumbing, or electrical codes (to name a few), a licensed inspector is required.
In Florida, the demand for building inspectors keeps the pay competitive. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from 2024 shows that inspectors earn an average of $70,290 per year. Additionally, in 2023, the state ranked third overall in the country for the total number of employed inspectors.
Licensing Requirements
All licensing and regulatory requirements are set by the Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board (BCAIB), which operates under the authority of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
The process is relatively straightforward and consists of three basic steps:
- Meet the eligibility requirements
- Pass two exams or provide an endorsement
- Submit an application and pay the fees
Applicants must meet certain requirements to take the exam and be considered for a license. As long as you are at least 18 years old and are of good moral character, you are eligible to begin the process.
The state defines good moral character as someone who has a “history of honesty, trustworthiness, fairness, a good reputation for fair dealings, and respect for the rights of others and for the laws of this state and nation.”
Experience Accepted, No Degree Required
Like many positions in the trade industry, a traditional four-year college education is not required to enjoy a successful inspector career. In fact, nearly 60% of building inspectors across the country who are 25 or older have no college degree.
But that doesn’t mean a high school graduate can immediately apply for a license.
The part of the process towards becoming an inspector that takes the longest is complying with the education/experience requirements.
Before taking the exam, you must prove that you have achieved one of the following:
- A combined four years of experience in construction or a field directly related to the desired license
- Two years of postsecondary or technical education devoted to construction or a related field, along with one year of in-the-job experience
The work experience section must be filled out by an architect, engineer, contractor, fire marshal, or building code administrator who worked with you personally.
If you have little to no construction experience and don’t know where to start, consider becoming a handyperson to gain relevant experience.
How to Avoid Application Delays
The BCAIB says that listing vague work experience is a common reason for delayed application processing — or outright rejection. The person who certifies your experience (the affiant) must be specific when explaining your duties and describing your hands-on experience. Any false or misleading information given by the affiant can result in disciplinary action against their license.
Passing the Exams
You must pass two different exams to become licensed. The first is administered by the International Code Council (ICC) and tests your technical knowledge. The second is the Florida Principles and Practice (P&P) Examination. Both are open-book and available online using a computer-based testing (CBT) format.
The technical exam ensures you understand national building codes, which are a major part of the job. Applicants need to earn a scaled score of 70% to 75% to pass. The ICC uses online video call technology to virtually proctor exams.
View the exam information bulletin, provided by the DBPR, to learn how to register, what topics are included on the exam, and helpful testing tips.
The P&P exam is more state-specific, covering Florida building codes, construction standards, BCAIB rules, and workers’ compensation. The two-and-a-half-hour exam requires a minimum score of 70% to pass. We recommend reading through the candidate information bulletin for more information and exam rules.
Apply Online or by Mail
After passing the exams, you may submit your application using the DBPR Online Services portal or by mail.
If applying by mail, you may pay the $86.25 fee with a check made payable to the DBPR. Online applications can use a credit card or an electronic check.
General Responsibilities and Career Path Options
Getting a building inspector certification is a great option for detail-oriented people who enjoy problem-solving and can efficiently manage their own workload.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, some of the common on-the-job duties you can expect to perform each day include:
- Reviewing blueprints to determine construction requirements
- Authorizing code-compliant construction activities
- Evaluating construction projects to ensure code compliance
- Inspecting jobsites to identify potential safety hazards
- Testing electrical equipment
- Recording data related to jobsite operations
- Direct and/or train construction workers on project-related policies and procedures
Building vs. Home Inspector
These two titles sound similar, but outside of requiring general construction industry knowledge, they are completely different in the eyes of Florida construction regulations.
Building inspectors are verified code experts who use their knowledge to make sure non-residential construction projects are completed safely and according to state and national codes. They are involved in every step of the construction process.
A home inspector is an entirely different license type with its own requirements and regulations. They examine homes that have already been built to identify potential problems for interested buyers.
As for career growth opportunities, the BLS notes that the highest earning inspectors usually work for private engineering or architectural firms, compared to local or state government roles.
As you maintain your license and gain experience, you could look for more senior-level positions. Or, as you learn about your professional strengths, you can use your experience to seek out another type of inspector license.
Getting licensed to inspect residential and commercial pools, roofs, modular buildings, and construction plans are all valid paths you could explore throughout your career.
Renewing Your License with Continuing Education
Getting your license isn’t the end of your journey with the BCAIB. To stay licensed, the DBPR established continuing education (CE) requirements to keep inspectors up to date on the ever-changing building codes. Failing to complete the required CE within the established deadline puts a license in delinquent status.
Licensees must complete 14 hours of CE every odd-numbered year, covering topics such as energy conservation, accessibility, state laws, and ethics.
When the time comes to renew, check out our complete 14-credit CE package! It’s a completely online training program that describes the latest code changes using real-world examples that you can apply on the jobsite. All courses are state-approved and use content developed by experienced building professionals. We update the course material every year to keep up with the latest DBPR requirements.
The courses are all available anytime from any device and use a mixture of video, audio, and printable text presentations.
Visit our building inspector CE page to learn more about maintaining your license once you get it. It includes detailed renewal instructions and answers to common questions.
Start Your Career
Are you ready to help keep the public safe by ensuring that FL construction projects follow national and state building codes? Start the application process here!