Building Inspector Accessibility Skills Enhancement Course

Course description

The Building Inspector Accessibility (BIA) Skills Enhancement Course provides an introductory overview of accessibility code enforcement for certified inspectors with limited or no experience in the practical application of Chapter 11 of the Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC), the ICC A117.1 Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings, and related accessibility requirements. This course will help inspectors and plans examiners to become more familiar and efficient with State and Federal ADA & FHA accessibility requirements for publicly accessed buildings in Oregon and supports accurate and efficient enforcement of accessibility codes during plan review and field inspection activities.

This course is a skills enhancement program and is not to be considered an exam prep course for any Oregon or national certification exam.

Course information

The BIA course includes 10 detailed modules covering accessibility requirements from the 2025 OSSC, 2017 ICC A117.1, the ODOT Standard for Accessible Parking Spaces, and relevant Oregon statutes and administrative rules. Homework and exams are designed to evaluate, measure overall code knowledge, conceptual understanding, and the student’s ability to navigate the code books and apply code concepts introduced during instruction.

Students who complete all quizzes, pass both exams, and meet the required attendance levels will receive a Certificate of Completion issued by the State of Oregon Building Codes Division. This certificate reflects the student’s demonstrated ability to understand and apply accessibility codes for publicly accessed buildings and spaces.

Enrollment is limited to 20 students per course. Students are required to appear on webcam at all times during Adobe classroom sessions.

Course length

Live lectures are held twice per week and are two hours in length. The course lasts approximately 14 weeks. The actual length of the course may be extended if unforeseen circumstances such as severe weather prevent the ability to present class. If a scheduled class date falls on a state office closure day, the course will be extended by one additional day.

Required course work

Lessons are delivered online through a private Adobe Connect virtual classroom. Students must attend each remote class and meet the attendance requirements outlined in the student contract.

Assigned homework (10 question quiz) is emailed after each lesson has been completed. A mid-term and final exam (40 questions) are required to be completed, and students may use the OSSC, ICC A117.1, ODOT standards, and printed course modules. Exams are delivered remotely via Zoom and have a two hour time limit.

Building officials who wish to enroll employees should plan for attendance to take precedence over other work responsibilities during class sessions and exams.

Required course material

2025 Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC) - Current Edition
2023 ODOT Standard for Accessible Parking Spaces
2017 ICC A117.1 Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings
Basic calculator (Cell phone usage is not allowed during course exams)
Download individual laws and rules, or purchase a full set from BCD, Form 0839
Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS)
Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR)

Optional material

Certification manual
Enrollment policies - These policies are updated periodically and subject to change. Please read carefully prior to registering for any training.

Order codebooks

Codebook vendors

Fees

$750

Registration

Course Instructor

Kevin Ellis
Structural Code Specialist, Trainer
kevin.ellis@dcbs.oregon.gov
971-375-7363

Course location

Note: Currently offered only online

Building Codes Division
1535 Edgewater Street NW, CR C
Salem, OR 97304

Prerequisites

To be eligible for this course you must meet all of the following qualifications:

Hold an active Oregon Inspector Certification (OIC).
Hold an active Residential Structural Inspector (CAS) and/or Residential Plans Examiner (CAX) certification.
Have at least six months (1,040 hours) of residential inspections or plan review experience, verified in writing by the jurisdiction’s building official.

Holding an A-Level Structural Inspector (SIA) certification and having commercial inspection or plan review experience is encouraged but not required.