Building control officer

You can do a higher national diploma, foundation degree or degree in a subject like:

• building studies
• civil engineering
• structural engineering
• building control surveying
• building surveying

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You could do a college course, which may help when you apply for trainee jobs as an assistant in building control.

Courses include:

• construction and the built environment
• building control surveying
• T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• search for courses|/find-a-course

You can apply to do a Building Control Surveyor Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

This can take around 4 years to complete and combines on-the-job training with off-site study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
• apprenticeship levels|https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentices/about-apprenticeships#UnderstandingApprenticeshiplevelsandqualifications

You may be able to move into building control if you have qualifications and extensive experience in a related area, such as construction management, structural or civil engineering, or surveying.

Registrations

You will need to register with the Building Safety Regulator to carry out building control tasks

Professional and Industry Bodies

You could join a professional body to help with your career development. These include:

• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
• Chartered Institute of Building
• Chartered Association of Building Engineers

Membership of a professional body may also be a requirement laid down by employers when advertising jobs.

Further Information

You can find out more about a career in building control from:

• Chartered Institute of Building
• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
• Local Authority Building Control

As a building control officer, you'll:

• assess construction plans and carry out site inspections
• advise building owners and the public on Building Regulations
• work closely with architects, builders and engineers
• check that projects meet design, safety, energy conservation and accessibility standards
• carry out enforcement actions where required
• survey unsafe buildings and advise on remedial work or demolition
• maintain accurate records of issues and decisions taken

You could work in an office or on a construction site.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers and at height.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.