Building Codes by State
In Building Codes by State, you'll learn ...
- The role and purpose of model building codes and how they promote safety, health, and welfare in building design and construction.
- Differences between the major model code organizations — ICC, NFPA, IAPMO, ASCE, ACI, and others — including the scope and focus of their respective codes.
- The various state approaches to building code adoption, including statewide codes, statewide codes with local amendments, and local-only code systems.
- How code adoption and amendment processes vary among states and the implications these differences have for engineering design compliance.
Overview
Engineers must produce designs that conform to adopted building codes. Each state takes a unique approach to adopting and amending building codes. For engineers that perform services in multiple states, it can be difficult to keep track of which codes are adopted in different states and municipalities.
This course reviews how each state approaches building codes. Some states adopt model codes with very few amendments while others create their own codes. Some states allow local entities to make amendments. Other states have no state building codes and leave it up to local cities and counties to adopt or develop their own codes. Maps and tables are provided to more clearly understand how different states approach building codes.
This course also gives an overview of the most common codes, including building, energy, mechanical, plumbing, and fire codes. The course shows which codes are adopted in each state.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the importance of building codes in design
- Identify the most common model codes adopted by states
- Interpret the different approaches to building code adoption in each state
- Analyze why some states allow local code amendments
- Distinguish states that have developed their own unique building codes
- Assess how building code amendments can impact design
Certificate of Completion
You will be able to immediately print a certificate of completion after passing a multiple-choice quiz consisting of 10 questions. PDH credits are not awarded until the course is completed and quiz is passed.
| This course is applicable to professional engineers in: | ||
| Alabama (P.E.) | Alaska (P.E.) | Arkansas (P.E.) |
| Delaware (P.E.) | District of Columbia (P.E.) | Florida (P.E. Area of Practice) |
| Georgia (P.E.) | Idaho (P.E.) | Illinois (P.E.) |
| Illinois (S.E.) | Indiana (P.E.) | Iowa (P.E.) |
| Kansas (P.E.) | Kentucky (P.E.) | Louisiana (P.E.) |
| Maine (P.E.) | Maryland (P.E.) | Michigan (P.E.) |
| Minnesota (P.E.) | Mississippi (P.E.) | Missouri (P.E.) |
| Montana (P.E.) | Nebraska (P.E.) | Nevada (P.E.) |
| New Hampshire (P.E.) | New Jersey (P.E.) | New Mexico (P.E.) |
| New York (P.E.) | North Carolina (P.E.) | North Dakota (P.E.) |
| Ohio (P.E. Self-Paced) | Oklahoma (P.E.) | Oregon (P.E.) |
| Pennsylvania (P.E.) | South Carolina (P.E.) | South Dakota (P.E.) |
| Tennessee (P.E.) | Texas (P.E.) | Utah (P.E.) |
| Vermont (P.E.) | Virginia (P.E.) | West Virginia (P.E.) |
| Wisconsin (P.E.) | Wyoming (P.E.) | |



