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The BSCF

The BSCF is a Community Interest Company that provides independence and impartiality when assessing and validating the competence of the building control profession.

The validation assessment has been developed to enable experienced building control surveyors to demonstrate their competence in relation to building regulations. It is with this in mind that the Building Control Professional (BCP) Competence Validation Assessment will focus on the majority of work that the many BCP’s are likely to be involved in. However, the competencies being assessed will include an understanding of the limits of one’s own competence and when to seek advice, learning and additional support.

THE MEASURE OF COMPETENCE

Whilst many have years of experience as Building Control Surveyors there has never been a true demonstrable measure of the competence of a building control surveyor. By 2023 all levels of building control surveyor will need to have their competence validated in order to be Registered with the Building Safety Regulator.

BSCF has created an assessment to allow existing experienced surveyors to validate their competence under the scope of certification sought.

SCOPE(S) OF CERTIFICATION

Building Type	Band A (Domestic) Dwelling house² (excluding flats) of traditional³construction up to 3-storeys high and not having more than one basement storey.	Band B (General) Premises¹ of any type and form of construction, where the guidance contained in the Approved Documents can be applied and being within the size limits mentioned below.	Band C (Specialist) Premises¹ of any type, height, size, form of construction and method of design – including any premises that will be within the scope of the Building Safety Regulator
Dwelling houses²	1 – 3 storeys⁴ single occupancy	4 – 5 storeys⁴ single or multi occupancy	6+ storeys
Hotels, Flats and Other Residential	Not permitted except under supervision	1 – 5 storeys	6+ storeys
Offices	Not permitted except under supervision	1 – 5 storeys	6+ storeys
Retail	Not permitted except under supervision	1 – 3 storeys & <2000m²floor area per storey	4+ storeys, or >2000m²floor area per storey
Buildings to which the public are admitted	Not permitted except under supervision	1 – 2 storeys & <2000m²floor area per storey	3+ storeys, or >2000m²floor area per storey
Educational	Not permitted except under supervision	1 – 2 storeys	3+ storeys
Car Parks	Not permitted except under supervision	1 – 6 storeys	7+ storeys
Hospitals	Not permitted except under supervision	1 – 3 storeys not being used for in-patient care	4+ storeys or where in patient care is provided
Industrial	Not permitted except under supervision	1 – 3 storeys and contain no hazardous substances/processes	4+ storeys, or contain hazardous substances/processes
Regulated stands/Certificated stadia and indoor sports/music arenas	Not permitted except under supervision	Not permitted except under supervision	Unlimited size

1. Change of use or change of energy status – it also includes any ancillary buildings associated with the premises, such as non-exempt outbuildings.

2. Means - A dwelling house that is a unit where one or more people live (whether as a sole or main residence) in either of the following situations.

A single person or people living together as a family.
A maximum of six people living together as a single household, but not including where care is provided for residents

3. A construction method/building type that can be assessed utilising the guidance contained in sections 2 - 4 of Approved Document A.

4. Inclusive of the highest storey. Basement storey(s), and roof storeys consisting solely of the use of plant and equipment and accessed only for maintenance and repair are not counted. Roofs used for occupant amenity/recreation etc are counted as a storey.

Band A Domestic

DOMESTIC BUILDING CONTROL SURVEYOR

Intended for the less experienced BCP who has been working in the role for around 2 years and has relevant, current and sufficient experience working with low-rise domestic premises whilst they have been carrying out on-the-job learning and attaining qualifications. For example, experienced trainees and assistant surveyors. BSCF also recognises that in some BCBs there will be those BCP’s who are exceptionally good at applying their knowledge and skill to domestic building work and have no aspiration to work on more complex premises.

Band B

GENERAL BUILDING CONTROL SURVEYOR

It is anticipated that the majority of BCP’s will achieve and maintain General Building Control (Band B) status. Intended for more experienced BCP’s that can work without supervision on a variety of both domestic and commercial projects.Premises of any type and form of construction, where the guidance contained in the Approved Documents can be applied and being within the size limits mentioned.

Band C

SPECIALIST BUILDING CONTROL SURVEYOR (HIGHER COMPLEXITY BUILDINGS)

The skills set and experience needed for candidates for Band C BCP are not dissimilar to the Band B BCP, however, these individuals should have a higher level of competence regarding fire and building safety for premises of any type, height, size, form of construction and method of design – including any premises that will be within the scope of the Building Safety Regulator, as well as being able to work within a multi-disciplinary team and have a strong comprehension of the regulatory regime under which they operate.

There should also be a strong awareness of placing residents at the heart of building safety – albeit that BCP’s should have a strong awareness of this at both Bands A and B, and should always place the interests of the building users/occupants above that of the building owner/designer/contractor.

FEES

Fees are chargeable for Initial certification, recertification and surveillance (during year 2 of the certification cycle).

Initial Certification - £600+VAT
Surveillance (Y2) - £225+VAT
Recertification (Y4) - £600+VAT
Extending the Scope of an existing certification - £400+VAT

THE BSCF COMPETENCE ASSESMENT PROCESS

STEP 1 – New BSCF Applicants ONLY - you will need to register for an account, once complete, you will receive an email to validate your account and commence the application process. Please use the Candidate Portal - User Guide and Supplementary Information, which is located on our website under Useful Resources.
Existing BSCF Candidates - If you have previously applied for a competence assessment, OR have taken the LABC FSHRB assessment, please contact certification@thebscf.org to be advised of your existing log in details and how to proceed with portal access and to review your details.
STEP 2 – Your application will be reviewed once all the relevant information has been submitted and you will be notified by the BSCF team if further information is required or that you are approved to sit the assessment.
STEP 3 – You can review your candidate profile at any time for updates.

START APPLICATION

STEP 4 – Once approved, to book your assessment, please liaise with the BSCF team by emailing certification@thebscf.org, and they will arrange to book your preferred assessment date.

Should you have any problems accessing the portal, please email certification@thebscf.org.

All successful candidates will receive a certificate and an ID card showing that they have passed the validation assessment. Bi-annual renewal of ID cards will be subject to candidates submitting sufficient evidence during the biennial surveillance.

START APPLICATION

If you have any questions regarding the validation assessment, please contact the Building Safety Competence Foundation team at certification@thebscf.org.

Competence Validation