Building Inspectors Associations
- Building inspectors examine construction sites to ensure their safety.Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images
Building inspectors perform an important function in the construction world. They inspect buildings, homes and other types of construction projects to make sure that they conform to safety and legal standards. Building inspector associations are professional organizations that exist to promote professional standards within the industry, as well as to provide inspectors with opportunities to network and promote themselves. - The American Construction Inspectors Association (ACIA) was founded in 1959 in an effort to provide construction inspectors with educational opportunities, to promote standards within the industry and to allow construction inspectors nationwide to collaborate and share industry knowledge with each other. ACIA is operated by a board of registered inspectors who set industry standards and process applications to the association. Members of ACIA receive ongoing education in the industry, a subscription to "The Inspector" magazine, political representation in the industry and networking opportunities. To become a registered inspector, you have to pass examinations in four different areas: engineering, building, specialty inspection and public works.
- The National Academy of Building Inspection Engineers (NABIE) has been working since 1989 to establish national standards among building inspector engineers. NABIE is actively involved in the home inspection industry and regularly reviews court cases, pays close attention to government actions that affect the industry and examines legislation. NABIE offers certification for engineering inspectors, which requires them to pass an examination that covers 23 major topics in the field of engineering inspection. Some of these topics include building materials, steel structures, engineering economics, professional ethics and practices, and plumbing and waste management, among others.
- The Commercial Inspectors Association of America (CIA) was founded in 2006 with the intention of promoting standards within the commercial building inspection industry. Full members must be certified in several different areas of inspection that include radon testing, carbon footprinting, energy efficiency, environmental assessments, assessment of property conditions, and well and septic inspection. The CIA offers different levels of membership, the highest of which is the "black belt" membership, which requires certification in all of these areas. Membership fees vary based on membership level and can vary from $150 to $550 per year. Memberships can be obtained individually or corporately.
