BCIN Exam Prep · Ontario 2024 Building Code

BCIN exam guide: format, categories and how to prepare (2024 Ontario Building Code)

Everything you need to plan your Ontario BCIN exams: the format, which exams to write, how to study for an open-book code exam, and free practice questions for each exam.

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Exam format (source: Humber BCIN exam FAQ)
Free PDF: BCIN Exam Checklist - format, 4-week study plan, exam-day pacing and a tick-box syllabus map.

The BCIN exams BCIN Prep covers

General Legal/Process - 186 questions. Covers the Building Code Act, 1992 and the administrative parts of the Ontario Building Code: permits, inspections, orders, appeals, qualifications, change of use (Part 10), renovation (Part 11) and Division C.
House - 180 questions. Covers Part 9 of the Ontario Building Code for houses: structure, stairs and guards, egress, fire protection, foundations, framing, the building envelope, Part 11 compliance alternatives, Part 12 / SB-12 energy efficiency and the supplementary standards.
Small Buildings - 251 questions. Covers Part 3 and Part 9 design of small buildings: building size and construction, spatial separation, fire alarm and sprinklers, safety within floor areas, exits, barrier-free design, and the supplementary standards.
HVAC - House - 180 questions. Covers Part 6 and Part 9 HVAC for houses: 9.32 ventilation, 9.33 heating and air-conditioning, fire dampers and penetrations, chimneys and fireplaces, Part 11 compliance alternatives, Part 12 and SB-12.
Designer Legal/Process - 244 questions. Covers the Building Code Act and Division C rules that matter to designers: designer qualifications and registration (Div C 3.2), insurance limits (3.6), classes of registration (3.5), design and general review by architects and engineers (Div C 1.2), permits, orders, offences and penalties, change of use (Part 10) and renovation (Part 11).

Study plan that works for open-book code exams

  1. Learn the map: Building Code Act sections, then Division A (compliance, objectives), B (technical) and C (administrative).
  2. Practise by topic and read every explanation - each one names the section, so you build the habit of looking it up.
  3. Tab or bookmark the sections you look up most; speed matters more than memory.
  4. Do full timed mocks (70 questions, 3 hours) until you finish with time to spare and score well above 70%.
  5. Review every missed question, then redo the topic.

FAQ

What is a BCIN?

A Building Code Identification Number is issued by the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to people and firms qualified under the Building Code Act to design buildings or work as building officials. Qualification is by category and is earned by passing the Ministry's exams.

What is the BCIN exam format?

70 multiple-choice questions with 4 choices, 3 hours, 70% to pass (49 correct). Open book with the digital 2024 Building Code Compendium supplied by Humber. Online, virtually proctored by Humber Polytechnic.

Which exam do I write first?

You need one legal exam plus your technical category. Designers can use either Designer Legal/Process or General Legal/Process; inspectors need General Legal/Process (or Powers and Duties of a CBO), per ontario.ca. Then add House for house designers, Small Buildings for Part 3 small buildings, HVAC - House for HVAC designers.

How should I study for an open-book exam?

Open book does not mean easy: at 70 questions in 3 hours you have about 2.5 minutes per question. Practise finding sections fast, learn the structure of Division A/B/C and the Act, and time yourself on full mock exams.

Are there free BCIN practice questions?

Yes - BCIN Prep gives 20 free questions per exam plus a mini mock exam, no signup, and 1041 questions in total in the full banks.

Exam format checked against the Humber BCIN exam FAQ. Always confirm current dates, fees and rules with Humber and the Ministry before booking. Prices: General Legal/Process exam: CAD 29 | House exam: CAD 29 | Small Buildings exam: CAD 29 | HVAC - House exam: CAD 29 | Designer Legal/Process exam: CAD 29 | Bundle: Legal/Process + House: CAD 49 | Bundle: all 3 exams: CAD 69 | Bundle: all 5 exams: CAD 89 | Bundle: Designer Legal/Process + House: CAD 49.