Robin MacLeod is the IOR Training Online Self Study Program course creator and instructor. He has been performing construction inspection services continuously for over 40 years and has worked full time as an OSHPD IOR since 1994. His career as an inspector began by performing inspections through Smith Emery as a structural inspector with licenses in concrete, masonry, pre-stress, structural steel erection, high strength bolting and structural steel welding. Robin also received the combination building inspector certificate from ICC. For 15 years Robin hosted and lead the Los Angeles area Hospital Construction (OSHPD) Code Study Group and over the past 35 years has trained a multitude of Deputy Inspectors and IORs who have successfully obtained their licenses.

The course was designed to help you become familiar with the OSHPD building codes and standards and learn how to identify pertinent the code sections. This is accomplished by way of an online self-study program that consists of a series of fill in the blank questions and multiple choice question quizzes that lead you through a book by book, chapter by chapter process so that you may become familiar with code sections that are pertinent to a working IOR. During this process it is recommended that you mark up these particular code and standards so that they will be easily identifiable and available for you to reference as a future working IOR as well as to help you prepare for the OSHPD IOR exam. Highlighting these questions will also be useful while taking the open book portion of the exam.

The Class A Program includes over 2,300 questions.
The Class B Program includes over 2,000 questions.
The Class C program includes over 400 questions.

Yes, you can contact us at training@iorservices.us any time to discuss your options

To qualify for the OSHPD IOR Exam it is expected that you have the necessary knowledge and experience in blueprint/plan reading for all the areas that are covered in the exam. If you don’t already have this knowledge or experience, or you are weak in certain areas, you may want to consider teaming up and collaborating with other inspectors who do have it to share knowledge and information. IOR Training offers Individual or group training in the Los Angeles area on Saturdays for an additional fee. Please contact us at training@iorservices.us to discuss this option further.

Click this link to the OSHPD website for the eligibility requirements. Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements may apply for the exam by submitting a completed application, supporting documentation and the required application review fee by the deadline shown on the examination schedule. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early. Upon approval, a confirmation notice of the test date and location will be mailed to the candidate. The candidate must provide written confirmation for the approval date and the examination fee no later than 10 business days before the examination date.

See the link to access the OSHPD website for detailed information on the exam and associated application process.

New examinations for Hospital Inspector Class A, B and C are generally scheduled every six months. Check the OSHPD website for scheduled dates.

For a detailed description of the OSHPD IOR Certification types and eligibility requirements click here.

The Class A Exam: The Class A exam is an eight-hour exam consisting of two parts:

Part 1 consists of code questions (open book) which measures the candidate’s:

• Ability to identify and understand the application of Chapter 7 of the 2019 California
Administrative Code, the 2019 California Building Standards Code, and Referenced Standards.
• Knowledge of appropriate inspector duties.
• Ability to communicate in writing.
• Refer to the Acceptable Reference Materials for Examinations web page for a complete list of codes and standards. Most questions are multiple-choice; however, there may also be true-false and/or essay questions.

Part 2 consists of questions on plan reading which measure the candidate’s:

• Ability to read and understand construction documents consisting of plans and specifications of a hospital construction project.
• Knowledge of appropriate inspector duties.
• Ability to communicate in writing.
• Most questions are multiple-choice; however, there may also be true-false and/or essay questions.

The exam is divided into sections covering the following code enforcement areas of construction inspection:
• Administrative, including inspector duties and responsibilities
• Structural including anchorage and bracing of non-structural components
• Architectural, including civil, accessibility
• Fire and Life Safety (FLS)
• Mechanical and Plumbing
• Electrical

The Class B Exam: The Class B exam is a six-hour exam consisting of two parts:
Part 1 consists of code questions (open book) which measures the candidate’s:

Ability to identify and understand the application of Chapter 7 of the 2019 California Administrative Code, the 2019 California Building Standards Code, and Referenced Standards.

• Knowledge of appropriate inspector duties.
• Ability to communicate in writing.
• Refer to the Acceptable Reference Materials for Examinations web page for a complete list of codes and standards. Most questions are multiple-choice; however, there may also be true-false and/or essay questions.

Part 2 consists of questions on plan reading which measure the candidate’s:

• Ability to read and understand construction documents consisting of plans and specifications of a hospital construction project.
• Knowledge of appropriate inspector duties.
• Ability to communicate in writing.
• Most questions are multiple-choice; however, there may also be true-false and/or essay questions.

The exam is divided into sections covering the following code enforcement areas of construction inspection:

• Administrative, including inspector duties and responsibilities
• Anchorage and Bracing of Nonstructural Components
• Architectural, including civil, accessibility
• Fire and Life Safety (FLS)
• Mechanical and Plumbing
• Electrical

The Class C Exam: The Class C exam is a one-hour or two-hour exam based on the following information.

One-hour examination applies for all Class C specialties except “Anchorage and Bracing of NonStructural Components” and “Architectural” specialties, the Class C Hospital Inspector examination is a one-hour examination consisting of multiple-choice questions (open book) to measure the candidate’s understanding of Chapter 7 of the current California Administrative Code. To be successful in the Class C one-hour certification examination, a candidate must obtain an overall minimum score of 75%. The Class C Section of the webpage will be substituted for the technical aspect of the examination for all Class C Hospital Inspector specialties exceptfor the “Anchorage and Bracing of Non-Structural Components” and “Architectural” specialties.

Two-hour examination applies for the “Anchorage and Bracing of Non-Structural Components” or “Architectural” Class C specialty, the candidate must take a two-hour examination consisting of multiple-choice questions (open book) to measure the candidate’s understanding of Chapter 7 of the current California Administrative Code, as well as applicable portions of the current California Building Standards Code. To be successful in the Class C two-hour certification examination, the candidate must obtain an overall minimum score of 75%.

If a certified Class C Hospital Inspector applies for additional Class C certification(s) within three years of passing the administrative section of the examination, additional certifications will be issued upon receipt of evidence of valid certification; it would not be necessary to retake the administrative examination. To add the “Architectural” or “OSHPD Anchorage and Bracing of Non-structural Components” Class C certifications to the applicant would have to present evidence of successful completion of the OSHPD examination in these specialties.

Application Review Fee (non-refundable/non-transferable*) – $100.00
Examination Fee (Class A or B) – $300.00
Examination Fee for each specialty (Class C) – $100.00

*The “Application Review Fee” is only applicable to one application and cannot be transferred to another Examination Classification (i.e. an Application Review Fee for the Class A examination cannot be transferred to the Class B or Class C Application Review Fee).

All applicants must submit the “Application Review Fee” (non-refundable and nontransferable*) with the examination application. The “Examination Fee” may accompany the application or be submitted later. All fees must be received no later than 10 business days before the examination date.

Fees shall be made payable to “OSHPD.” Acceptable methods of payment are:
• Cashier’s Check
• Money Order

Payments must be submitted and/or mailed to:

Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development
Facilities Development Division
Hospital Inspector Certification Program
2020 W. El Camino Ave., Sacramento, CA 95833

The candidate should allow time to arrive to the examination location, check-in, and setup
for the examination. Directions to the locations may be requested from OSHPD, if needed.

Examination times* for Class A, B, & C:

Class A
8:00 a.m.* – 5:00 p.m.

Class B
8:00 a.m.* – 3:00 p.m.

Class C
8:00 a.m.* or 1:00 p.m. (as scheduled)

Lunch period: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

*All examinations will start promptly at the beginning time listed above. Exceptions to these times must be approved in advance.

Candidates:
• Must have received written approval and paid all fees to participate in the examination.
• Must bring a valid form of photo identification with signature (example: a driver’s license).

The exam will be given to six inspector examinees at a time to assure proper spacing and Covid-19 safety. Examination spaces will be thoroughly disinfected before and after each examination. Additionally, equipment and materials used for the examination will be included in the disinfecting process. Although ISU staff will exercise an abundance of caution to ensure the proper sanitation of the space prior to administering the exam, examinees will be required to sign a COVID-19 waiver to properly acknowledge their acceptance of any risk of exposure to COVID-19 virus prior to taking the exam.

The exam will be conducted using one computer and two monitors for each examinee. No paper notes, code books, reference manuals or other materials will be allowed into the examination room. Needed personal items must be kept in the possession of the examinee but not accessed during the exam. Six examination computers will be disconnected from the network and will be completely standalone with no outside connectivity whatsoever to preserve the integrity of the exam and other security purposes. All necessary reference code books, standards, and plans will be provided on each of the computers used for the exam. No USB storage devices or any other storage media will be allowed to be used during the exam and examinees are prohibited from copying or reproducing any portion of the exam.

Each examinee will be required to arrive to the test site at 7:30 a.m. Upon arrival, the examinee will be met by ISU staff outside the lobby at the entrance prior to entering the building to assure and to confirm the examinee’s understanding of the exam procedures and all Covid-19 safety measures are understood and followed. Once cleared through security and checked for compliance for proper COVID-19 safety measures, the examinee will be escorted up the elevator and to the examination room. No more than two people will occupy the elevator at any given time.

For questions or concerns, please email OSHPD.fddisu@oshpd.ca.gov.

Examination results will be mailed to the candidates approximately four to six weeks after the examination date.

A candidate who has failed an examination may apply to participate in a re-examination no sooner than six months from the examination previously taken by the candidate. A candidate who passes all sections of the Class “A” or “B” examination except one, and obtains a score of at least 50% in the one failed section, may retest that section within six weeks of the original examination date. Failure to achieve a minimum score of 75% on the retested section will be considered failure of the entire examination.

A candidate who is successful in passing the examination will receive an OSHPD Hospital Inspector Certificate and photo ID card. The candidate’s name, email address and telephone number will be posted on the OSHPD list of certified Hospital Inspectors available to the public through the OSHPD website.

Certification by OSHPD:

• Is valid for three (3) years from the date of issuance.
• Must be renewed prior to expiration in accordance with the process explained under the Recertification
• Does not guarantee job placement.

The Class A Exam: The Class A exam is an eight-hour exam consisting of two parts.

Part 1 consists of code questions (open book) which measures the candidate’s:

• Ability to identify and understand the application of Chapter 7 of the 2019 California
Administrative Code, the 2019 California Building Standards Code, and Referenced Standards.
• Knowledge of appropriate inspector duties.
• Ability to communicate in writing.
• Refer to the Acceptable Reference Materials for Examinations web page for a complete list of codes and standards. Most questions are multiple-choice; however, there may also be true-false and/or essay questions.

Part 2 consists of questions on plan reading which measure the candidate’s:

• Ability to read and understand construction documents consisting of plans and specifications of a hospital construction project.
• Knowledge of appropriate inspector duties.
• Ability to communicate in writing.
• Most questions are multiple-choice; however, there may also be true-false and/or essay questions.

The exam is divided into sections covering the following code enforcement areas of construction inspection:
• Administrative, including inspector duties and responsibilities
• Structural including anchorage and bracing of non-structural components
• Architectural, including civil, accessibility
• Fire and Life Safety (FLS)
• Mechanical and Plumbing
• Electrical

The Class B Exam: The Class B exam is a six-hour exam consisting of two parts:
Part 1 consists of code questions (open book) which measures the candidate’s:

Ability to identify and understand the application of Chapter 7 of the 2019 California Administrative Code, the 2019 California Building Standards Code, and Referenced Standards.

• Knowledge of appropriate inspector duties.
• Ability to communicate in writing.
• Refer to the Acceptable Reference Materials for Examinations web page for a complete list of codes and standards. Most questions are multiple-choice; however, there may also be true-false and/or essay questions.

Part 2 consists of questions on plan reading which measure the candidate’s:

• Ability to read and understand construction documents consisting of plans and specifications of a hospital construction project.
• Knowledge of appropriate inspector duties.
• Ability to communicate in writing.
• Most questions are multiple-choice; however, there may also be true-false and/or essay questions.

The exam is divided into sections covering the following code enforcement areas of construction inspection:

• Administrative, including inspector duties and responsibilities
• Anchorage and Bracing of Nonstructural Components
• Architectural, including civil, accessibility
• Fire and Life Safety (FLS)
• Mechanical and Plumbing
• Electrical

The Class C Exam: The Class C exam is a one-hour or two-hour exam based on the following information.

One-hour examination applies for all Class C specialties except “Anchorage and Bracing of NonStructural Components” and “Architectural” specialties, the Class C Hospital Inspector examination is a one-hour examination consisting of multiple-choice questions (open book) to measure the candidate’s understanding of Chapter 7 of the current California Administrative Code. To be successful in the Class C one-hour certification examination, a candidate must obtain an overall minimum score of 75%. The Class C Section of the webpage will be substituted for the technical aspect of the examination for all Class C Hospital Inspector specialties exceptfor the “Anchorage and Bracing of Non-Structural Components” and “Architectural” specialties.

Two-hour examination applies for the “Anchorage and Bracing of Non-Structural Components” or “Architectural” Class C specialty, the candidate must take a two-hour examination consisting of multiple-choice questions (open book) to measure the candidate’s understanding of Chapter 7 of the current California Administrative Code, as well as applicable portions of the current California Building Standards Code. To be successful in the Class C two-hour certification examination, the candidate must obtain an overall minimum score of 75%.

If a certified Class C Hospital Inspector applies for additional Class C certification(s) within three years of passing the administrative section of the examination, additional certifications will be issued upon receipt of evidence of valid certification; it would not be necessary to retake the administrative examination. To add the “Architectural” or “OSHPD Anchorage and Bracing of Non-structural Components” Class C certifications to the applicant would have to present evidence of successful completion of the OSHPD examination in these specialties.

You may email us at training@iorservices.us.