What is DSA and the Application Process
DSA (Division of the State Architect) is a California State Government Division or agency that has been given the task of regulating the construction of public schools throughout the state of California. This is the result of an act of the State Legislature. They are the building department for public schools. DSA has their headquarters in Sacramento and it also has a number of “Field Offices” mainly in the large population centers that do most of the work. School Districts that want to build new schools, or remodel and add to existing ones are required to apply for construction permits through DSA. As a part of that regulatory process DSA requires that a DSA Certified building inspector or assistant inspector continuously observe all aspects of the construction process. Therefore unlike most other jurisdictions such as L.A. City or Orange County where construction is only required to be inspected at certain times, DSA requires that an inspector be onsite continuously to provide inspection. Once the plans are approved and the funding has been worked out for a project construction commences. DSA Project Inspector works under the direction of the project architect/engineer and is supposed to be onsite until the project is completed. DSA provides a ‘Field Engineer’ who is a DSA state employee that comes to the jobsite on a regular basis and verifies that the inspection process is taking place per DSA regulations. The School Districts are required to pay for the services of the Project Inspector.
Inspector Certification Process DSA regulates how the project inspectors are to be certified and how they will be used on school projects. As a result of this whole certification requirement DSA developed a state wide certification process which has a number of aspects. 1. First in order to be considered to take a DSA certification exam the candidate must fulfill some specific experience requirements, and be accepted to sit for the Class 1,2,3, or 4 exam. 2. Once those requirements are met then the candidate must pass the certification exam for the appropriate Class of certification. Each exam is a two part multiple choice exam, Part 1 (Plan Reading), and Part 2 (Code Knowledge). 3. After passing the exam the inspector must be approved by DSA, The Architect, and of course The School District for the specific project for which he is to be hired.
Project Inspector Classifications 1. Class 1 Project Inspector: This is the highest classification of project inspector. With this classification you are supposed to be qualified to inspect any type of school building. Class 1 inspectors are also allowed to supervise DSA Assistant Inspectors unlike any other certification. 2. Class 2 Project Inspector: This is the second highest class of project inspector. With this certification you can inspect buildings over 2000 square feet with limited wood or masonry and wood lateral force resisting structural systems. 3. Class 3 Project Inspector: With this certification you are eligible to inspect single story wood frame buildings with primarily wood shear walls. The work must be under 2000 square feet have only isolated steel or concrete structural members. This certification is generally limited to renovation work or modernizations. 4. Class 4 Project Inspector: This certification is limited to relocatable building inspections. The market for this type of inspector is currently very limited and possibly a wasted effort, however DSA is planning to eliminate the DSA Assistant Program and require that all inspectors be certified. This will mean that many assistant inspectors will probably be well served to consider this certification. 5. Assistant Inspector: Assistant inspectors are not considered certified inspectors so therefore the approval process is a bit different. However the assistant inspector program allows assistants to work under the direct direction of a Class 1 inspector. Assistants are limited to work on modernizations or highly supervised work under Class 1 inspectors. Their approval is also up to the discretion of the DSA Field Engineer. 6. DSA Masonry Inspector: This DSA Certification entitles the holder to work as a masonry special inspector on DSA projects. The application process and requirements for this work are completely separate from the Class 1-4 project inspector certifications.
In order to qualify for DSA Certification an individual must satisfy an experience requirement. DSA refers to this experience as “Qualifying Experience”. This means that the candidate must have at least 3 years of experience working on projects similar to those which they would be inspecting as a DSA Project Inspector. Question: How does DSA determine what projects are similar? Question: What type of Experience do you need?
DSA administers a certification exam for project inspectors every three months. The exams consist of (2) three hour parts that are divided into sections. The You must attain a passing grade on each section in order to pass a part of the exam.
The Plan Reading Exam (Part 1) Starting in 2004 DSA has added a new wrinkle. The plan reading exams are were divided into sections (Structural, Architectural, Mech/Elec/Plumb). The candidate is now required to obtain a minimum grade of 60% on each “Section”. This effectively makes the minimum passing grade for the overall test 60%. Code Knowledge Exam (Part 2)
This Guide to DSA Certification This course is intended for construction professionals that are adept at reading plans and have only a general understanding of building codes. We do not recommend this course to those who do not have experience in construction or who do not qualify for any of the DSA exams under the established criteria. We have included the materials that we believe you need to know in order to successfully complete the DSA Exams. We also provide a structure and practice that simulates the actual exam which will help you assess and improve your skill in preparation for the real exam. Successful completion of our courses does not guarantee passing the DSA Exams. It is up to you as the candidate to learn the materials. Appendix 1 is a copy of the DSA Certified Inspector Examination package. In order to apply for the DSA exam you will need to file this application. Read the instructions carefully and provide detailed information with regard to the structural aspects of the projects you worked on and your (preferably hands on) participation. Please Click Below and Print This Document
Study the following flowchart and use it to determine what Class of inspector exam your experience qualifies you for. Remember that the important things are the type of lateral system, the overall budget, and the square footage of the construction. Start at the left and follow the arrows according to the criteria in the boxes. Follow the arrows to the right until you arrive at a classification for the type of construction projects that you have participated in. This chart provides you with a rough idea of what your experience should qualify you for. Remember that DSA has the final word so be prepared to argue your case. Also remember that when you apply you may have to lobby the DSA staff for admission to the appropriate exam. DSA's interpretation of the class criteria is sometimes cloudy, therefore it is important that you have a good understanding of this information in order to plead your case.
Use the experience record forms provided in the application package (Appendix 1), and the matrix provided below to describe your experience, they are the most important part of your exam application. Print out this matrix and highlight the months that you have accounted for in your experience record. Follow the instructions on the application and submit your application as soon as possible. Expect a 4 to 6 week delay from when you submit your application to when you get your test date.
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