Frequently Asked Questions

Registration Process

I assume that once I register, I will be given instructions on how to log into the examination?

If an ONLINE @ Home examination was selected, further instructions regarding the virtual proctoring process will be sent via email approximately one week prior to the exam. No further instructions are required if writing an examination at a test centre as the test centre will log you into your examination.

I do not see the examination I want listed on the examination schedule online. How do I register?

All Ontario Building Code examinations are offered during all the examination dates and times listed. Once you select an available time slot and click register, you will be prompted through a registration process that will allow you to choose the specific examination to be taken during the selected date/time.

I have registered for an examination but cannot make it on that date. How can I change my examination date?

An examination date may be changed by calling or emailing the OBC examination office. The request to change the examination must be made at least 22 days before the registered examination date.  Candidates are only permitted a one-time scheduling change.  A cancellation/refund of an Ontario Building Code examination must be requested in writing via email at least 22 days in advance of the scheduled examination date.  A $50.00 administrative fee will apply per examination.  No refunds, cancellations or changes will be made to examination registrations within 21 days of the scheduled examination date.

What is a BCIN and how do I obtain one?

A BCIN is a Building Code Identification Number and it is required in order to register for an Ontario Building Code examination with Humber College. Apply for a BCIN.

What is the registration fee for an examination?

The registration fee for each examination is $150.00 with payment required at time of registration. Payments can be made using Visa, Mastercard, Visa Debit, or Debit Mastercard.

When can I register for an examination?

Registration for an examination must be made a minimum of three weeks (21 days) in advance of the examination date. Seating is limited at Test Centres. Refer to Examination Schedule for available locations and dates.

Where can I write a Building Code examination?

Examinations are offered at established Ontario College Test Centre locations throughout Ontario, and Live Virtual Online Proctoring (LVOP) services make all examinations accessible from the Candidate's home or office.

  1. Online Examination at Home / Your Location
    • Accessible from the Candidate's home, office, or location of choice
    • No software to install
    • Candidates only require sufficient internet access, a web camera, speakers, and a microphone
    • See how virtual proctoring works
    • Check your system.
  2. Online Examination at Test Centre
    • Utilizing established Ontario College Test Centre locations throughout Ontario
    • See sample online exams
      User name = test
      Password = password123!

Note: In parts of northern Ontario where sufficient internet services are not yet available, paper examinations will be offered at Ontario College satellite locations.

Candidate Scores

How do I access QuARTS?

To register or update your qualifications on-line you will need a username and password to access your QuARTS account. If you have your BCIN, but do not have a username and password, you may request one.

I have recently signed up for an OBC examination online. When doing the examination online are the results instant or does it take the 14 days?

Even though the examinations are now online, the results will not be made available immediately after the examination. Scores can only be released by the Ministry. An Examination Results Notification will be sent within 14 business days of your examination date.

I have written an examination but have not yet received my score. Will Humber release my score to me?

Examination scores can ONLY be released to the Candidate by the Ministry. An Examination Results Notification will be sent by the Ministry to the Candidate's email address listed in the Ministry QuARTS system. It is the Candidate’s responsibility to ensure their profile in the QuARTS system is up-to-date. The Candidate may also retrieve their examination score by accessing the Ministry QuARTS system directly. If you do not have a username and password to access QuARTS, you may request one.

What is QuARTS?

The Qualification and Registration Tracking System (QuARTS) is a web-based system that allows building practitioners including building officials, on-site septic system installers, designers, and registered code agencies to file their qualification information with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Municipalities and the public may use the QuARTS public registry in order to verify the qualification status of building practitioners and organizations. For more information, please visit the link www.ontario.ca/page/become-registered-building-practitioner.

When and how will I be notified of my examination results?

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is responsible for notifying Candidates of their examination results by e-mail within 14 business days of the examination date. E-mail notification shall be provided where there is an e-mail address for the candidate in the Ministry’s Qualification and Registration Tracking System (QuARTS). Where no email address for a Candidate is found in the QuARTS system, exam results will be mailed via letter within 14 business days of the examination date. Examination result status will not be disclosed by telephone or in person.  For Candidates without computer access, examination results can be provided via registered mail at the request of the Candidate.

Examination Preparation

I am unsure of which examination I should take. Can you offer any guidance?

Humber College is solely responsible for administering examinations. For all questions pertaining to examination topics and qualification, please contact the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing at OBC.Qualification@ontario.ca. A certification analyst at the Ministry may be reached at 416-585-6666.

I would like to take some courses in preparation for an Ontario Building Code examination. Which should I take?

The Ministry has entered into an agreement with George Brown College under which George Brown College has assumed responsibility for updating and delivering Building Code training courses previously prepared by the Ministry. George Brown College, in turn, has entered into agreements with a number of other colleges to provide for training course delivery across Ontario. For more detailed information on code training, self-study kits or course delivery organizations, please visit the George Brown College website or call 416-415-5000 x6725.

Where can I get a copy of the 2012 Building Code?

The 2012 Building Code and any amendments can be purchased from ServiceOntario Publications.

Note: Most colleges that offer training on the Building Code also sell the publication.

Examination Process

Is it possible to take an examination on an iPad/tablet?

Tablet, Chromebook, and smart phone devices cannot be used to take an online examination due to such devices not meeting some of the requirements. One such requirement is a reliable internet connection throughout the 3 hour examination session and as such, a desktop with a wired connection is recommended.

Is it possible to use an electronic copy of the Building Code for the examinations?

Yes, candidates will be provided with a link to a digital Building Code Compendium that can be used during examinations. Only the webpage provided by Humber College will be allowed to be open during examinations. Candidates are not permitted to use their own copy of the digital Building Code Compendium.

What is the format of the examination?

Examinations are open book and are 3 hours in length. Each examination contains 70 multiple choice questions, each with a choice of four (4) possible answers, of which the Candidate is to select the best answer.  Each question carries equal weight. The pass mark is 70%.

What should I bring to the examination?
  • The Official Registration Confirmation
  • ONE piece of valid government-issued identification bearing a photograph and signature. The name on the government issued photo identification (passport, driver's license, permanent resident card) must be an exact match to the name on your Official Registration Confirmation.  (Note: Ontario Health Cards will not be accepted as primary identification)
  • Candidates writing a paper-based examination must bring their own pencils and erasers.

OPTIONAL

Examinations are open book. They are based on the requirements of the Building Code Act, 1992, the 2012 Building Code (Ontario Regulation 332/12) and Supplementary Standards to the Code. The only materials allowed in the test space are:

  • The Building Code Compendium (Volumes 1 and 2) in hard copy format and/or in PDF format.

    * Note: Candidates are only allowed to use the PDF provided by Humber College and are not permitted to use their own copy of the digital Building Code Compendium.
  • Materials included in the Compendium, such as:
    • The Building Code Act, 1992 (available on e-laws at ontario.ca/laws)
    • The Building Code (available on e-laws at ontario.ca/laws)
    • Supplementary Standards to the Code
  • The Code and Construction Guide for Housing
  • Water bottles (metal or plastic) are allowed only if the paper label has been removed and there are no questionable marking on the bottles
  • A handheld standard calculator, or a scientific calculator if it is not programmable

    Programmable calculators are NOT permitted
  • Blank sheets of paper
  • Candidates are permitted to bring materials into the examination which have been highlighted or tabbed. Minimal annotations are also acceptable.
  • Candidates are not permitted to write in their materials at any time during an examination. Such activity will be considered candidate misconduct.

Special Accommodations

I have a disability and would like to make a request for special accommodations during testing. What should I do?

Please contact us via email or phone to provide details of your disability and the accommodations required.  Candidates must submit a current Letter of Support, written on official letterhead and signed by a qualified medical professional:

  • Affirming the existing of the disability; and
  • Stating the specific accommodations required (including the exact amount of additional time).

Requests for special accommodation are subject to approval.