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Advisory on UCC Registration

This advisory is issued to clarify registration under the Uniform Construction Code (UCC), specifically, what work may be performed and for how long, by code officials that are registered with the Department.
 
Beginning on July 12, 2002 and running through the effective date of the UCC (which will occur 90 days after the approved Administration and Enforcement regulation is published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin), certain individuals may be temporarily relieved (“grandfathered”) of UCC certification requirements, if they register with the Department.
 
Since July 2002, the Department has been issuing temporary registration cards to persons who are currently enforcing a building code. These individuals must be employed by, or working under contract with, a municipality or the Commonwealth. (They must also submit all required forms and pay a $50 registration fee.)
 
All persons making application for registration must indicate whether they are performing residential code services, commercial code services, or both.

Residential Registration

If a person is performing only residential code services, he receives a temporary registration card allowing him to perform any UCC residential code services.
 
Because the Department does not know the exact date that the UCC will take effect, we are issuing temporary residential registration cards. Once the UCC effective date is known, a replacement registration card will be issued with an expiration date three years from the effective date. After the registration card expires, the cardholder may not perform UCC services without holding certification for each category of residential code services he performs.

Commercial Registration

If a person is currently performing commercial code services or both residential and commercial code services, he receives a temporary commercial registration card.
 
This card enables a person to perform any residential or commercial code service, except accessibility plan reviews and inspections. This temporary registration card is also issued without an expiration date. Once the UCC effective date is known, a replacement registration card will be issued with an expiration date five years from the effective date.
 
Please note the following regarding the end of the grandfathering period for persons holding commercial registration:
  • A person who performs only commercial code services will have until five years after the effective date of the UCC to acquire certification for each category of commercial code services he performs.

  • A person who performs residential and commercial code services will have until three years after the UCC’s effective date to acquire certification for each category of residential code services he performs, and five years to acquire certification for each category of commercial code services he performs.

    Note:  The UCC Training and Certification Regulation allows a person who holds any commercial inspection certification to perform the corresponding residential inspection without holding the certification normally required for that work.

    Because of this provision, any commercial registration cardholder that acquires a commercial inspection certification before the end of the three-year residential grandfathering period may continue performing the corresponding residential inspection work.