Not Affiliated with The Division of the State Architect (DSA)

ASK INSPECTOR BOB

Use the Comment box at the bottom of the page to post your questions and/or comments related to DSA Inspections including code related questions. You are not required to enter your email and you can use a fictitious name. Posts with web links may be reviewed for spam before automatically posting to this site .

We are not affiliated with DSA. We are California school inspectors trying to share knowledge with other inspectors. Inappropriate comments will be removed.

Inspector

6 thoughts on “ASK INSPECTOR BOB”

  1. Joshua…download and read DSA Form 175 and IR A-7 on necessary qualifications to take DSA examination. You cannot jump into becoming a DSA inspector without meeting these prerequisites.

  2. I have been an ICC soils inspector for 1 year before finding out about DSA and an very interested. What would be the fastest path for me to become a DSA inspector? I just got my reinforced and am getting masonry soon but waiting 4 more years to get class 3 is something I want to avoid.

    I notice the experience section doesn’t specify that you have to exactly have to work with any cert for a year straight exactly by the day, just that you have been “Inspecting for 2 years in the relevant field”. Can I interpret the whole year as experience if it is off and on a DSA project?

  3. I always assume that people preparing to become at Class 1 DSA inspector will have been involved in the construction trade and have access to complete sets of plans (Civil, Architectural, Structural, MEP, ADA). Contractors often throw extra sets of plans away when a project is nearly complete, . Once you get a full set of plans, do not turn to the next page until you understand the current page you are on. Study books are available for electrical and mechanical plan reading assistance. This is a long but necessary exercise. Good luck!

  4. Hello,

    What do you recommend to study for Class 1 DSA Structual plan reading ? I am told that is the most complicated and difficult test to pass, but I am not able to find any practice test info

  5. John: Very interesting question about using experience from construction supervision experience in Europe towards getting DSA certification. I am an inspector, not an employee of DSA, but you can contact DSA and ask them this question.

    CONTACT DSA INSPECTOR PROGRAMS
    Inspector Programs
    Headquarters Office
    Division of the State Architect

    1102 Q Street, Suite 5100
    Sacramento, CA 95811
    (916) 443-9932
    inspector@dgs.ca.gov

  6. Nick: On the right hand side of this page is a box with a link to info on where to get code books; “Click here for DSA inspector resources and Information. At the top left of that page is a link called “Getting Started”. It tells you many of the books you may need for inspection.

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