What happens if my CEPSCI certification expires before I take the recertification class?
- You will be required by SCDES to retake the initial certification class and pass the qualifying exam.
Does South Carolina recognize certified inspectors from other states (reciprocity)?
- No, an individual certified out-of-state will have to go through the South Carolina initial certification class and pass the qualifying exam to be certified in South Carolina.
Where can I find my certification number?
- You can either check the "REG. NO." on your card or
- Check the Certified Inspector list here.
What happens if I lose my card?
- You can order a new card here.
What happens if a class is full when I try to register?
- You can contact us and request to be placed on the waiting list.
- It is recommended to register for the next class, your registration can always be transferred to an earlier class should a space open.
Are there any prerequisites to becoming certified?
- No, just attend the class and pass the qualifying exam.
Is there any material that would help to review before attending the initial certification class?
- The SCDES BMP Field Manual may be beneficial to look over. This can be found on our Additional Information webpage or at SCDES's website.
How long is the initial certification class?
- The class is 8 hours long (first day) with an exam on the second day that must be passed in order to be certified.
- Click here to see the certification class agenda.
How much does the initial certification class and exam cost?
- The initial certification and exam is $395. Take a look at the Fees and Policies webpage.
How many failed attempts at the qualifying exam will I have before I have to take the class again?
- Each attendee receives two attempts at the exam. They are then required to take the class again before attempting the exam a third time.
What is a passing score for the qualifying exam?
- 60 out of 80 questions answered correctly (75%) is required to pass the in-person exam. 38 out of 50 question answered correctly (76%) is required to pass the online exam.
How long does the certification last before recertification is required?
- Four to five years. If you take the class and exam before 6/30 of the year, it will last until 6/30 four years later. If you take the class and exam after 6/30 of the year, it will last until 6/30 five years later.
How long is the recertification class and is there an exam?
- The class lasts 4.5 hours. No exam is required to be recertified.
What is the cost of recertification?
- The recertification class is $275.
How long after recertification will I have to be recertified again?
- Recertification will have to occur every three years after the initial recertification.
Can exam results be released to a person other than the examinee?
- No, results are only released to the person who took the exam.
Can I receive a copy of my exam?
- No, exams are never released. However, e-mail communication can be used to help point out where someone may be falling short on exam areas.
Can I register an individual for a class, but then send another individual to the class?
- Yes, a replacement can be sent in their place as long as we are notified 24 hours prior to the start of the class.
Are continuing education credits available for attending the certification class?
- Yes, they will earn 7 professional development hours. A certificate can be requested.
As a Professional Engineer (P.E.), do I have to take the qualifying exam?
- If you are interested in the information or professional development hours, you only need to attend the class but are not required to take the exam. You will need to contact us to register differently for the class.
- If you want to become a certified inspector, you will need to pay the full price for the class, attend, and pass the qualifying exam.
