Permit Technician Practice Test

Inspections by an approved agency must be documented by reports certified by whom?

1. The building official

2. A licensed architect

3. The approved agency

4. A professional engineer

The correct answer is: The approved agency

The correct answer is that inspections performed by an approved agency must be documented by reports certified by the approved agency itself. This requirement ensures that the reports are an official acknowledgment of the inspection findings, reflecting the agency's compliance with applicable codes and standards. The approved agency, having been designated by the governing authority, is responsible for ensuring that the inspections meet local regulations and industry practices, thus providing accountability and maintaining public safety. The involvement of the approved agency's certification adds a layer of credibility to the inspection reports, as these agencies are typically familiar with specific regulations and have the requisite expertise in the area of inspection. This fosters trust with stakeholders, including builders, property owners, and regulatory bodies, as it indicates that the inspections were carried out competently and the findings are reliable. Other roles, such as a building official, licensed architect, or professional engineer, while they may have important roles in the process, do not fulfill the specific requirement for the signed certification of inspection reports. Their involvement may pertain to other parts of the permitting or construction process, but when it comes to certifying inspection results from an approved agency, it is the agency itself that holds that responsibility.