What’s in a Name? Inspectors, Departments, and How They Are Named

WHAT DO YOU CALL AN ELECTRICAL AHJ?

Job titles for those who perform electrical inspectors are as varied as the codes adopted by their jurisdiction. From a wiring inspector in Massachusetts, to an electrical inspector in Kansas, to a building inspector in California, all of these job titles have one thing in common. They perform electrical inspections and focus on keeping their jurisdiction safe. The most common names for those who performed electrical inspections were electrical inspectors (25.4%), building inspectors (23.7%), building official (13.3%), and  just a plain old title of inspectors (10.9%). Other titles (such as combination inspectors) rounded out the total at 26.8%.

Chart 1

Other common titles for those who do electrical inspections:

  • Assessor/Inspector
  • Code Enforcement Officer
  • Code Compliance Officer
  • Combination Inspector
  • Construction Code Inspector
  • Electrical Safety Inspector
  • Electrical Subcode Official
  • Electrician
  • Field Inspector
  • Fire Marshal
  • Fire Prevention Inspector
  • Housing Inspector
  • HVAC Inspector
  • Plans Examiner
  • Plans & Specification Inspector
  • Residential Inspector
  • Sign Inspector
  • Structural Inspector
  • Wiring Inspector
  • Zoning Enforcement Officer

Hey…you?

Different jurisdictions and states call AHJs who perform electrical inspectors by different names. Here are a few of the different titles from coast to coast. The most common, however, is the trusty old electrical inspector. Titles also titles vary from local jurisdiction to local jurisdiction. A wiring inspector in one jurisdiction may do the same exact job as an electrical inspector or combination inspector in another.

Chart 2

WE’VE GOT A NAME, NOW WHICH DEPARTMENT?

If there is a little synchronism in what we call individuals who perform electrical inspectors, there is a lot less when it comes to what department those individuals will work for in their local jurisdictions. A lot of the departments do have the word building in them, but they can also run the gamut from assessing department to zoning/area planning department.

Chart 3

Other common titles for departments that perform electrical inspections:

  • Assessing/Code Enforcement Office
  • Codes Enforcement
  • Community Development
  • Construction Industries/Construction Office
  • Development Services
  • Electrical Department/Services
  • Engineering
  • Fire and Rescue
  • Housing and Building
  • Neighborhood and Environmental Programs (DNEP)
  • Permit and Development Office
  • Planning and Zoning
  • Public Works
Laura Hildreth
Laura L. Hildreth is the managing editor for IAEI Magazine and has worked in editorial and technical publications within the electrical industry for eighteen years, the technology industry for over twenty years, and the news industry for even longer. Her passion is encouraging communication and learning no matter what the tool. Connect with her on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/lauralhildreth.