NSSA Certified Inspector (NSSA CI) Program
Why should you consider becoming an NSSA CI?
An NSSA CI credential is not required for inspection of the installation of impact-protective systems or for annual storm shelter evaluations by current model building codes such as the IBC, IEBC, IRC and the IPMC. However, these codes do require that the Building Official approve the qualifications of the special inspector that does the code-required inspection of impact-protective systems for storm shelters and there is no credential that addresses these qualifications like the NSSA CI program. Additionally, where adopted without amendment, ICC 500- 2020 requires that all existing community storm shelters be evaluated annually and be maintained and repaired (even ones constructed before the 2020 edition was adopted locally); the training for an NSSA CI covers the required tasks for the annual evaluation and additional training to assist owners with tracking maintenance and repairs. Consequently, NSSA CI status may be required by authorities having jurisdiction, owners or design professionals in various scenarios. Furthermore, an inspector with an NSSA CI credential may rank higher in qualifications-based selections than one that is not.
Requirements to Attain NSSA CI Status
An individual must meet all of the requirements for at least one NSSA CI Specialty to attain NSSA CI status. The following are the requirements for each specialty. And, individuals are permitted to attain both specialties.
To attain NSSA CI status with Impact-Protective Systems Installation Inspection specialty, an individual must:
To attain NSSA CI status with Annual Storm Shelter Evaluation specialty, an individual must:
To attain NSSA CI status with Impact-Protective Systems Installation Inspection specialty, an individual must:
- Attend the 4 hour NSSA Certified Inspector Training Course in-person, with hands-on training inside a storm shelter;
- Take and pass the NSSA CI General Exam;
- Take and pass the NSSA CI Impact-Protective Systems Installation Inspection Exam;
- Attend the American Concrete Institute (ACI) training course and pass the associated exam to become a Post-Installed Concrete Anchor Installation Inspector (available through ACI, separately from NSSA); and,
- Agree to follow the Code of Conduct for NSSA Accredited Professionals and Certified Inspectors.
To attain NSSA CI status with Annual Storm Shelter Evaluation specialty, an individual must:
- Attend the 4 hour NSSA Certified Inspector Training Course in-person, with hands-on training inside a storm shelter;
- Take and pass the NSSA CI General Exam;
- Take and pass the NSSA CI Annual Storm Shelter Evaluation Exam; and,
- Agree to follow the Code of Conduct for NSSA Accredited Professionals and Certified Inspectors.
NSSA CI Exams
Pre-Requisites
There are no pre-requisites required before taking any NSSA CI Exams. Anyone may take the NSSA CI Exams, regardless of whether they meet other requirements at the time for attaining NSSA CI status. However, there are some requirements other than passing the exam, as noted below, for attaining NSSA CI status.
Exam Format
Exams are only provided in-person at this time. Exams can be taken where advertised (e.g. the 2021 NSSA Storm Shelter Conference in November 2021). Alternatively, individual applicants and/or groups of applicants can request an appointment with an NSSA Proctor at a mutually agreed-upon location by contacting Jim Bell (NSSA’s Director of Operations) at [email protected], although NSSA does not guarantee that such appointments can be arranged within any specific proximity to applicants or within any specific time-frame of a request.
Exams are written exams with multiple-choice answers with the following time limits:
NSSA CI General - 45 minutes
Impact-Protective Systems Installation Inspection - 60 minutes
Annual Storm Shelter Evaluation - 60 minutes
When multiple people take the exam at the same time:
Applicants cannot start specialty exams at will. Therefore, applicants may need to wait before taking subsequent exams. NSSA’s Proctor will distribute the General Exam module first and collect all responses within 60 minutes before distributing specialty exams. Responses to exams will not be accepted after the time-limit. Then, NSSA’s Proctor will distribute specialty exams with one per applicant, distributing the specialty exam of the applicant’s choice, and then collect all responses from the first specialty exam series within the time limit before distributing any additional specialty exams. It is to be expected that various applicants will be taking different specialty exams at the same time during the first specialty exam period. If time allows during the exam event, this will process will continue for any subsequent exam modules.
There are no pre-requisites required before taking any NSSA CI Exams. Anyone may take the NSSA CI Exams, regardless of whether they meet other requirements at the time for attaining NSSA CI status. However, there are some requirements other than passing the exam, as noted below, for attaining NSSA CI status.
Exam Format
Exams are only provided in-person at this time. Exams can be taken where advertised (e.g. the 2021 NSSA Storm Shelter Conference in November 2021). Alternatively, individual applicants and/or groups of applicants can request an appointment with an NSSA Proctor at a mutually agreed-upon location by contacting Jim Bell (NSSA’s Director of Operations) at [email protected], although NSSA does not guarantee that such appointments can be arranged within any specific proximity to applicants or within any specific time-frame of a request.
Exams are written exams with multiple-choice answers with the following time limits:
NSSA CI General - 45 minutes
Impact-Protective Systems Installation Inspection - 60 minutes
Annual Storm Shelter Evaluation - 60 minutes
When multiple people take the exam at the same time:
Applicants cannot start specialty exams at will. Therefore, applicants may need to wait before taking subsequent exams. NSSA’s Proctor will distribute the General Exam module first and collect all responses within 60 minutes before distributing specialty exams. Responses to exams will not be accepted after the time-limit. Then, NSSA’s Proctor will distribute specialty exams with one per applicant, distributing the specialty exam of the applicant’s choice, and then collect all responses from the first specialty exam series within the time limit before distributing any additional specialty exams. It is to be expected that various applicants will be taking different specialty exams at the same time during the first specialty exam period. If time allows during the exam event, this will process will continue for any subsequent exam modules.
Exam Focus
The purpose of taking and passing the exams is to demonstrate that an applicant knows and understands the functions of relevant storm shelter components and how to both obtain relevant documentation (e.g. online listing of impact-protective systems, the statement of special inspection submitted by the registered design professional in responsible charge for the project, installation instructions, operations and maintenance manuals, etc…) and properly inspect those components for community tornado shelters, community hurricane shelters, residential tornado shelters and residential hurricane shelters as defined by ICC 500. Questions will therefore cover all 4 types of storm shelters.
Passing Scores
NSSA’s Design Practices Committee and other individuals have created various questions for consideration to be in each exam module. However, the final questions, the final answers and the required percent score to pass each exam module are determined by an NSSA Cut Score Committee for the NSSA CI exam module with at least 5 members from the storm shelter industry (e.g. design professionals, NSSA Component Producer Member representatives, special inspectors, etc…) on the committee, and each member having taken the required 4 hour NSSA Certified Inspector Training Course (which is applicable to both specialty). The Cut Score Committee determines the passing score for their exam module based on their collective determination of what percent of what they consider to be minimally qualified storm shelter inspectors, in their opinion, that they believe should correctly answer each question. In other words, the required score to pass each exam could be relatively high (e.g. 85%) or low (e.g. 60%) depending on the difficulty of the exam in the opinion of the cut score committee. Partial credit is not given for any incorrect answers. In many cases the questions require that applicants select all correct choices that apply to a question; in such cases, no credit will be given to applicants that select any incorrect choices or do not select all correct choices in their answer. In some cases, NSSA Cut Score Committees may choose to assign different weights to the questions; if so, the weights of each question will be indicated on the exam provided to applicants.
Codes and Standards
The exam questions are based on the following codes and standards:
- ICC 500-2020 “ICC/NSSA Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters”
- 2021 International Building Code, and Referenced Standards
- 2021 International Existing Building Code
- 2021 International Residential Code
- 2022 International Property Maintenance Code
What To Bring and Not Bring To The Exam
- Applicants are required to bring at least one #2 pencil to enter answers on the forms that will be provided.
- Applicants are strongly encouraged to bring a hard copy of ICC 500-2020 to the exam. (The version with just the standard alone and the version with both the standard and the commentary are permitted.) Other reference materials should not be required during the exam but applicants are permitted to bring in other materials. Notes in reference materials (other than copies of the exam questions and answers), tabs in reference materials, and blank sheets of paper are permitted. For some exam modules, handouts with relevant excerpts of related reference material may be provided by NSSA.
- Applicants are strongly encouraged to bring a hard copy of the Code of Conduct for NSSA Accredited Professionals and Certified Inspectors.
- Applicants are strongly encouraged to bring a hand-held calculator (e.g. one meeting NCARB or NCEES exam requirements) that has no ability to connect to the internet. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to bring fully-charged batteries.
- Smart phones will NOT be permitted.
- Computers will NOT be permitted.
- Food and drink will generally not be permitted unless permitted by both the event location and NSSA’s Proctor. NSSA’s Proctor may allow some types of food and drink on an ad hoc basis and may not allow others, at his or her discretion. If you require food, drink or medication during the exam, please discuss it with NSSA’s Proctor in advance.
No Leaving the Room While Taking an Exam Module
Because there is a relatively short time limit for each exam module, it will not be permitted for an applicant to leave the room (e.g. going to the restroom, making a call for work, getting supplies such as batteries or pencils, getting a drink or snack, or taking a break) when taking an exam module. Exceptions to this rule may be made at the NSSA’s Proctors discretion but it is highly discouraged. Applicants are strongly encouraged to prepare in advance so that they will not need to leave the room while taking an exam module. Applicants that have permanently submitted their response to the questions for an exam module are welcome to leave and come back before their next exam module.
Exam Preparation Resources
It is encouraged that each applicant read Section 107 “Quality Assurance” and Section 110 “Special Inspections” of ICC 500-2020 before the exam, if possible. Free copies of ICC 500 are available online through the International Code Council website.
The 2021 NSSA Storm Shelter Conference will provide the 4 hour NSSA Certified Inspector Training Course designed to provide attendees technical instruction on how to properly perform installation inspections and annual evaluations. This 4 hour course is a requirement for both NSSA CI specialties. Additional opportunities to attend the required training course can be made available by appointment by contacting NSSA’s Director of Operations at [email protected].
The 2021 NSSA Storm Shelter Conference will provide the 4 hour NSSA Certified Inspector Training Course designed to provide attendees technical instruction on how to properly perform installation inspections and annual evaluations. This 4 hour course is a requirement for both NSSA CI specialties. Additional opportunities to attend the required training course can be made available by appointment by contacting NSSA’s Director of Operations at [email protected].
Retaking Exams
Applicants can take NSSA CI exams an unlimited number of times, if they pay the associated fees each time.
It is not required to pass both the general and the specialty exams on the same day.
It is not required to pass both the general and the specialty exams on the same day.
Expiration of NSSA CI Status
Once a certificate indicating NSSA CI status is issued to an individual by NSSA, the status will expire in 6 years. To attain NSSA CI status again after it expires, the individual will need to retake the training course and the relevant exams. NSSA CI’s are not required to attain any continuing education but are encouraged to do so.
Current Fees
For NSSA Members, the fee to take NSSA CI Exams is $125 for each exam sitting. For individuals who are not NSSA Members, the fee is $250 for each exam sitting. These fees include the NSSA CI General Exam and any number of specialty exams that an applicant can take in the time allotted at the testing event. If an applicant does not pass the exam, the fees to retake the exam are the same fees.
Appeals
Direct appeals regarding the NSSA Accredited Professional program to NSSA’s Director of Operations at [email protected], who will then take all appeals to the NSSA Board of Directors for consideration. The NSSA Board of Directors may elect to seek counsel from other parties but the NSSA Board of Directors will make all final decisions on appeals.
