CCPIA® Certification Requirements

All courses are self-paced, can be completed in any order and as many times as you’d like, and are accessible anytime from your account.

About the Certification Courses and Exam

The certification courses follow the International Standards of Practice for Inspecting Commercial Properties (ComSOP) and teach you how to perform inspections using industry-accepted scopes and procedures for inspecting commercial buildings and reporting property conditions.

The baseline certification requirements offer a path to certification based on experience. However, inspectors without prior experience or a strong understanding of inspection methodology and commercial building systems may benefit from completing additional training before taking the exam, which are available on-demand, live online via Zoom, or in-person with hands-on instruction.

What to Expect on the Exam

The Online Commercial Property Inspector Exam evaluates knowledge beyond the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. It includes questions on commercial building system operation, defect recognition, property condition evaluation, and occupant and life safety considerations. You may take the exam as many times as needed. Each attempt must be completed within a two-hour time limit.

Topics Include:

  • Low-slope roofing
  • Plumbing
  • HVAC
  • Electrical systems
  • Exterior components (i.e., siding, parking areas, stormwater drainage, accessibility barriers)
  • Door and windows
  • Building structure
  • Ventilation and insulation in unfinished spaces
  • Cooking areas
  • Life safety and fire protection features
  • Stairs, steps, and their components
  • Decks, balconies, and other attached structures

How to Prepare:

CCPIA® offers multiple ways to get the training and education you need for certification, based on your background and preferred learning style, including self-paced, live online, and in-person options.

  • 25+ on-demand courses
  • Fast-track courses (held live on Zoom)
  • In-person and hands-on training (held nationwide)

All on-demand courses are included with an All-Access Membership. Members also receive discounts on all fast-track courses and in-person training.

Once you complete the exam, you’ll receive a breakdown of your score by building system and topic. Use this feedback to guide any additional training. For example, if you don’t pass the low-slope roofing section, you can take the on-demand course specifically focused on that topic.

Certification Checklist and Education Dashboard

As part of the certification process, you’ll use your Education Dashboard to follow the required steps and track your progress. It clearly lists the certification requirements and offers optional on-demand courses to help you prepare for the exam, if needed.

Education Dashboard Preview

Exclusive Resources for Certified Members

Once certified, members access to exclusive tools and resources. The following benefits are available only to certified inspectors and are included with an All-Access Account

  • Listing in the Find an Inspector Directory
  • Listing in the Verify an Inspector Directory
  • CCPIA® Certified Inspector logo, and as well as other official association logos
  • CCPIA® Certified Inspector certificate
  • CCPIA® Certified Inspector patches and decals
  • CCPIA® ID card and lanyard

Once You’re Certified

Becoming CCPIA–Certified sets the foundation for qualification performing commercial property inspections. As you grow your business and advance your skills, take advantage of these exclusive member resources and development opportunities:

  • Book 1:1 coaching sessions with CCPIA® Instructors and Training Directors
  • Download inspection checklists and field guides
  • Download business documents and templates
  • Access business development tools and templates
  • Order custom marketing materials (print, digital, and videos)
  • Attain continuing education credits, including InterNACHI®, International Code Council (ICC), and home inspector state-issued licenses
  • Attend in-person training and live online fast-track courses or complete additional on-demand courses
    • Additional training is available for ancillary services, business practices, and marketing, including cost-to-cure reporting (i.e., opinions of probable cost), financial insight reporting for immediate and long-term capital planning based on property conditions, building maintenance inspections, accessibility inspections, IAQ assessments, Phase 1 ESAs, and other aspects of commercial property inspections or business development.
  • Join a monthly virtual roundtable meeting to connect with other  inspectors
  • Book 1:1 coaching sessions with CCPIA® Instructors and Training Directors
  • Become or find a mentor through the member-run mentor program
Visit the Membership Benefits page for a complete overview of all training and resources included with an All-Access Account, or check out the CCPIA® New Member Guide to get started.