BCIN Designer: What They Do and How to Become One

Why the role exists

Under the Building Code Act, a person may not prepare a design, or give an opinion on whether a design complies with the code, for submission to a chief building official with a permit application unless they have the designer qualifications set out in the code (Building Code Act s. 15.11BCA s. 15.11 Qualifications for various positions(1) A person is not eligible to be appointed as a chief building official unless he or she has the qualifications set out in the building code for the position. (2) Subsection (1) also applies to every inspector who has the same powers and duties as a chief building official in relation to sewage systems or to…). "Design" here includes plans, specifications, sketches and drawings. Architects and professional engineers are exempt from this rule, which is why the BCIN route exists for everyone else who designs houses and small buildings.

Division C, Section 3.2 sets out those designer qualifications (OBC Div. C 3.2.1.1.OBC Div. C 3.2.1.1. Scope(1) This Section prescribes, for the purposes of clause 8(2)(c) and subsection 15.11(5) of the Act, the qualifications for a person who carries out design activities.).

Two kinds of designer registration

Swipe sideways to see the whole table

The public-design rule is in OBC Div. C 3.2.4.1.OBC Div. C 3.2.4.1. General(1) Except as provided in Sentences (3) and (4), every person engaged in the business of providing design activities to the public must have the following qualification: (a) the person must be registered with the director. (2) A registration shall be in a form established by the director. (3) A person is exempt from… and the "other designers" rule is in OBC Div. C 3.2.5.1.OBC Div. C 3.2.5.1. General(1) Except as provided in Sentence (3), a person who carries out design activities but is not required under Sentence 3.2.4.1.(1) to be registered with the director under Sentence 3.2.4.2.(1) must have the following qualification: (a) the person must be registered with the director under Sentence 3.2.5.2.(1). (2) A…. A firm can be registered only if a director, officer, partner or employee has passed the exams for each class the firm holds (OBC Div. C 3.2.4.2.OBC Div. C 3.2.4.2. Registration and Renewal of a Registration(1) Subject to Articles 3.2.4.8. and 3.2.4.9., the director may register an applicant, or renew a registration, in each class of registration applied for, if, (a) the applicant or registered person or, if the applicant or registered person is a corporation or partnership, a director, officer, partner or employee of…). Fees are set in OBC Div. C 3.2.4.5.OBC Div. C 3.2.4.5. Fees(1) The fee payable for an application to take an examination that is part of an examination program referred to in Clause 3.2.4.2.(1)(a) or (b) is $150. (2) The fee for a registration is $202, for 2025 and subsequent calendar years. (3) The fee for the addition of a new class of registration is $44, for 2024 and… and the Ministry's page lists the same amounts.

The exams you need

Every designer needs one legal exam and at least one technical exam. The Ministry accepts any of four legal exams for designers.

Each exam is 70 multiple-choice questions in 3 hours, open book, with 70% to pass, and costs $150 at Humber Polytechnic. Both the 2012 and 2024 versions of each exam count. For a full role-by-role list, see Which BCIN exams do I need?.

What a BCIN designer can design

A registered designer may only carry out design for the types of building that match their classes in Table 3.5.2.1 of Division C (OBC Div. C 3.2.4.7.OBC Div. C 3.2.4.7. Conditions(1) The following are the conditions of a registration: (a) the registered person shall carry out design activities only in respect of the type of buildings described in Column 3 of Table 3.5.2.1. that correspond to the class or classes of registration held by the registered person, (b) if the registered person is a…, Table 3.5.2.1.OBC Div. C Table 3.5.2.1. Classes of Registration and Categories of Qualifications for Inspectors and Persons Who Carry Out Design Activities[1][2] — Forming Part of Sentence 3.5.2.1.(1)Table 3.5.2.1. — Classes of Registration and Categories of Qualifications for Inspectors and Persons Who Carry Out Design Activities[1][2] — Forming Part of Sentence 3.5.2.1.(1) Item | Classes of Registration for Inspectors and Persons Who Carry out Design Activities | Categories of Qualifications for Inspectors and…). In our own words:

Part 9's limits come from OBC Div. A 1.3.3.3.OBC Div. A 1.3.3.3. Application of Part 9(1) Subject to Article 1.3.3.3B., Part 9 of Division B applies to all buildings described in Article 1.1.1.1. of 3 storeys or less in building height, having a building area not exceeding 600 m², and used for major occupancies classified as (a) reserved (b) Group C, residential occupancies other than buildings used…. Many projects above these sizes also need an architect or engineer under their own Acts; see BCIN vs architect vs engineer.

What goes on the drawings

There is no BCIN "stamp" in the way architects and engineers have a seal. Instead, the person who reviews and takes responsibility for the design puts on documents submitted to the building department the firm's name and registration number, a statement that they reviewed and took responsibility for the design, their own name and BCIN, and their signature (OBC Div. C 3.2.4.7.(1)(d)OBC Div. C 3.2.4.7. Conditions(1) The following are the conditions of a registration: (a) the registered person shall carry out design activities only in respect of the type of buildings described in Column 3 of Table 3.5.2.1. that correspond to the class or classes of registration held by the registered person, (b) if the registered person is a…). Building departments check these details against the registry.

Insurance

Designers and firms registered under 3.2.4 must hold professional liability insurance for the whole registration term (OBC Div. C 3.6.2.2.OBC Div. C 3.6.2.2. Scope(1) Every registered person shall have insurance coverage under an insurance policy that satisfies the requirements set out in Article 3.6.2.3.). The minimum limits scale with the fees billed in the previous 12 months (OBC Div. C 3.6.2.3.OBC Div. C 3.6.2.3. Insurance Coverage(1) The insurance policy, (a) shall indemnify the registered person against liability imposed by law arising out of the performance of or the failure to perform services as a registered person during any time while the person is registered under Sentence 3.2.4.2.(1) or 3.4.3.2.(1) for claims that are first made and…):

New registrants use their estimated fees for the next 12 months. The policy must also give the Ministry notice before it is cancelled.

How to become a BCIN designer, step by step

1. Create a QuARTS account and generate your personal BCIN. The Ministry lists no fee for this step.
2. Pick your exams. Most house designers write a legal exam and House. If you want small commercial or small apartment work too, write Small Buildings instead of House.
3. Register with Humber Polytechnic at least 7 days before your exam date and pay $150 per exam. See registration and cost.
4. Study the syllabus using the free study guide on each exam page, starting with the designer registration and insurance chapter.
5. Pass, then register in QuARTS as a designer or design firm, upload proof of insurance if you design for the public, and pay the fee.
6. Renew every year. See BCIN registration and renewal.

Finding a BCIN designer near you

If you are a homeowner looking for a designer rather than becoming one, the Ministry's QuARTS Public Search Registry is the place to check. The register must show, for each registered designer or firm, the name, registration number, business address, classes of registration, and the qualified people who take responsibility for the design (OBC Div. C 3.2.6.1.OBC Div. C 3.2.6.1. Public Register(1) The director shall establish and maintain a register available to the public that lists every person who has the qualifications required by clause 8(2)(c) and subsection 15.11(5) of the Act. (2) The register referred to in Sentence (1) shall contain the following information with respect to every person registered…).

Before you hire, check that:

• the firm's registration is active, not expired
• it lists the class you need (House for a typical home or addition; Small Buildings for a small commercial or multi-unit Part 9 building)
• the person who will sign your drawings is named on that registration with their BCIN
• they carry the required insurance (ask for the certificate)
• if your project needs HVAC or plumbing design for a house, someone on the team holds those classes too

It is also fair to ask how many permit applications they have had approved in your municipality, how they handle revisions the building department asks for, and whether the fee includes site visits.

Common misunderstandings

• "Designer Legal is the only legal exam for designers." General Legal/Process, Powers and Duties of a CBO and Powers and Duties of RCA are also accepted.
• "House lets me design any Part 9 building." It covers houses with up to two dwelling units. Small Buildings is the class for the rest of Part 9.
• "I own the house, so I need a BCIN." An owner designing their own house, or certain ancillary buildings serving it, is exempt (OBC Div. C 3.2.5.1.OBC Div. C 3.2.5.1. General(1) Except as provided in Sentence (3), a person who carries out design activities but is not required under Sentence 3.2.4.1.(1) to be registered with the director under Sentence 3.2.4.2.(1) must have the following qualification: (a) the person must be registered with the director under Sentence 3.2.5.2.(1). (2) A…). Your building department may still ask for clear, complete drawings.

Ready to start? The House exam page has a free study guide and a free practice quiz, and pricing shows what full practice access costs.