HOSPITAL INSPECTOR CERTIFICATION
EXAMINATION – CLASS A
BASED ON TITLE 24, CALIFORNIA BUILDING
STANDARDS CODE AND REFERENCED STANDARDS
2026–2027 TESTING CYCLE
SECTION 1: ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS (Questions
1–12)
Question 1: The California Administrative Code section that governs the certification and
approval of hospital inspectors is found in:
Answer: Title 24, Part 1, Chapter 7, Sections 7-200 through 7-207.
Rationale: Title 24, Part 1 of the California Code of Regulations (California Administrative
Code) establishes the requirements for hospital inspector certification, including minimum
qualifications, examination procedures, and certification classes. The authority is derived from
Health and Safety Code Sections 18929 and 129675–130070.
Question 2: Under California regulations, a Class A Hospital Inspector may inspect all of the
following areas EXCEPT:
,Answer: Medical gas systems (This falls under specialty certification; Class A may inspect
medical gas as part of mechanical/plumbing systems, but the question tests knowledge that Class
A covers architectural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire and life safety, and structural).
Rationale: Class A Hospital Inspectors may inspect all areas of construction including
architectural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire and life safety, and structural elements.
Class C inspectors are limited to specialty areas such as medical gas systems.
Question 3: A Class A Hospital Inspector must pass each section of the written exam with a
minimum score of:
Answer: 75 percent.
Rationale: To be successful in the certification exam, a candidate must obtain a passing score of
at least 75 percent in each section of the written exam. The exam is divided into sections
covering code enforcement areas including structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, fire
and life safety, and administrative.
Question 4: Which of the following is NOT a minimum qualification pathway for the Class A
Hospital Inspector Exam?
Answer: High school graduation and four years of construction experience.
,Rationale: Class A requires six years of experience (or equivalent). Four years is the minimum
requirement for Class B.
Question 5: The California agency responsible for administering the Hospital Inspector
Certification Examination is:
Answer: Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), formerly OSHPD.
Rationale: HCAI (formerly the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development – OSHPD)
administers the Hospital Inspector Certification Program, including examinations and
certifications.
Question 6: How often must a Hospital Inspector recertify?
Answer: Every three years.
Rationale: All Hospital Inspector Certifications issued by HCAI expire three years from the most
recent certification or recertification examination date. To recertify, inspectors must participate
in a Hospital Inspector Recertification Seminar and pass a Recertification Examination.
Question 7: The California Building Standards Code is updated on which cycle?
Answer: Every three years (Triennial Code Adoption Cycle).
, Rationale: The California Building Standards Code (Title 24) is adopted on a triennial cycle.
The examinations are based on the latest adopted code, currently the 2022 California Building
Standards Code and Referenced Standards.
Question 8: Under California regulations, all hospital construction work must be continuously
inspected by:
Answer: A certified hospital inspector approved by the architect and engineer in responsible
charge and by HCAI.
Rationale: All hospital construction work shall be continuously inspected by a certified hospital
inspector approved by the architect and engineer in responsible charge, and by HCAI. The
hospital governing board shall provide for competent, adequate, and continuous inspection by
one or more Hospital Inspectors of Record (IORs).
Question 9: Which of the following is an acceptable substitute for experience requirements for
the Class A exam?
Answer: College education with major work in architecture, engineering, building inspection, or
construction on a year-for-year basis for a maximum of two years.
EXAMINATION – CLASS A
BASED ON TITLE 24, CALIFORNIA BUILDING
STANDARDS CODE AND REFERENCED STANDARDS
2026–2027 TESTING CYCLE
SECTION 1: ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS (Questions
1–12)
Question 1: The California Administrative Code section that governs the certification and
approval of hospital inspectors is found in:
Answer: Title 24, Part 1, Chapter 7, Sections 7-200 through 7-207.
Rationale: Title 24, Part 1 of the California Code of Regulations (California Administrative
Code) establishes the requirements for hospital inspector certification, including minimum
qualifications, examination procedures, and certification classes. The authority is derived from
Health and Safety Code Sections 18929 and 129675–130070.
Question 2: Under California regulations, a Class A Hospital Inspector may inspect all of the
following areas EXCEPT:
,Answer: Medical gas systems (This falls under specialty certification; Class A may inspect
medical gas as part of mechanical/plumbing systems, but the question tests knowledge that Class
A covers architectural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire and life safety, and structural).
Rationale: Class A Hospital Inspectors may inspect all areas of construction including
architectural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire and life safety, and structural elements.
Class C inspectors are limited to specialty areas such as medical gas systems.
Question 3: A Class A Hospital Inspector must pass each section of the written exam with a
minimum score of:
Answer: 75 percent.
Rationale: To be successful in the certification exam, a candidate must obtain a passing score of
at least 75 percent in each section of the written exam. The exam is divided into sections
covering code enforcement areas including structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, fire
and life safety, and administrative.
Question 4: Which of the following is NOT a minimum qualification pathway for the Class A
Hospital Inspector Exam?
Answer: High school graduation and four years of construction experience.
,Rationale: Class A requires six years of experience (or equivalent). Four years is the minimum
requirement for Class B.
Question 5: The California agency responsible for administering the Hospital Inspector
Certification Examination is:
Answer: Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), formerly OSHPD.
Rationale: HCAI (formerly the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development – OSHPD)
administers the Hospital Inspector Certification Program, including examinations and
certifications.
Question 6: How often must a Hospital Inspector recertify?
Answer: Every three years.
Rationale: All Hospital Inspector Certifications issued by HCAI expire three years from the most
recent certification or recertification examination date. To recertify, inspectors must participate
in a Hospital Inspector Recertification Seminar and pass a Recertification Examination.
Question 7: The California Building Standards Code is updated on which cycle?
Answer: Every three years (Triennial Code Adoption Cycle).
, Rationale: The California Building Standards Code (Title 24) is adopted on a triennial cycle.
The examinations are based on the latest adopted code, currently the 2022 California Building
Standards Code and Referenced Standards.
Question 8: Under California regulations, all hospital construction work must be continuously
inspected by:
Answer: A certified hospital inspector approved by the architect and engineer in responsible
charge and by HCAI.
Rationale: All hospital construction work shall be continuously inspected by a certified hospital
inspector approved by the architect and engineer in responsible charge, and by HCAI. The
hospital governing board shall provide for competent, adequate, and continuous inspection by
one or more Hospital Inspectors of Record (IORs).
Question 9: Which of the following is an acceptable substitute for experience requirements for
the Class A exam?
Answer: College education with major work in architecture, engineering, building inspection, or
construction on a year-for-year basis for a maximum of two years.
