This is a brief overview of how the program works. Please find accreditation criteria below.

Registration Of A Home With ARBSC
When a contractor decides to build a new house, the contractor enrolls his project in the ARBSC program by depositing a small fee that will cover ARBSC costs for tracking the contractors job and providing their services to the contractor.  The contractor then contacts an ARBSC approved inspector who has completed the required certifications and training set forth by ARBSC, which is above any state licensing requirements. The first inspection that is required under the ARBSC program is the plan review, during this inspection the contractor and the inspector will use an ARBSC approve ‘plan review’ checklist that ensures that the inspection has covered major items of the inspection. Plans are required to meet IRC, NEC and UPC codes. This keeps ARBSC inspections thorough, complete and uniform in its thoroughness.  Click here for a registration form to enroll your project into the ARBSC program.

Subsequent Inspections
After every inspection the inspector is required to keep the inspection report on file for review of the ARBSC in the event of an audit or dispute.  The inspection is also required to submit the contractor’s name, the job name, the inspection preformed and it’s date to the ARBSC to post publicly on the web site.  No details about issues raised during the inspection will be posted, just a posting of the inspection completion date will be available for the public to view. 

Required Inspections & Inspection Postings
As the job progresses, the contractor is responsible for contacting the inspector for required inspections which include but are not limited to; plan review, footing, foundation, rough framing, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, insulation, vapor barrier, and final inspection.  At each inspection the inspector will use an ARBSC approved inspection ‘check list’ as with the plan review to assure the contractor and homeowner are receiving a through and complete inspection.  At each stage the inspector will report to the ARBSC the inspection and date it was preformed. 

Dispute Resolution & Code Variances
If at any time there is a disagreement between the contractor and inspector regarding a code-related issue, the contractor and/or the inspector can contact the ARBSC and request arbitration.  The ARBSC review board is made up of a three member panel who will then hear the issue and make a ruling, which is then considered final. 

Inspector Auditing
When an inspector becomes ARBSC certified, they have completed the necessary certifications for the state (International Code Council combination dwelling inspector certification) and have completed additional training within the state of Alaska covering code related issues and how to perform inspections to the ARBSC standard. 
The inspector’s field inspection technique and paperwork is audited by an independent third party on a regular basis for the program.  This assures the ARBSC standard is maintained in the field. 

Fees
The fee per permit is $100. You can click here to become a supporting builder member to take advantage of a discount. The ARBSC is a non-profit organization, fees collected will support the web-based permitting process and third party inspection review.

Code
Plans are required to meet the International Residential Code, National Electrical Code, and Uniform Plumbing Code standards.

Accreditation Criteria for Inspectors
The attached accreditation criteria has been issued to provide all interested parties within the State of Alaska, guidelines on providing  the Alaska Residential Building Standards Council (ARBSC) performance criteria required to allow a participant to perform Plan Review and/or Inspections of the applicable standards referenced in the accreditation criteria within the jurisdiction. This criteria was developed and adopted following hearings conducted by the ARBSC and are effective on the date shown above.  All accreditations issued or reissued on or after the effective date must comply with the criteria.  These criteria may be further revised as the need dictates. ARBSC may consider alternate criteria provided the proponent submits substantiating data demonstrating that the alternate criteria are at least equivalent to the attached criteria and otherwise meet applicable accreditation requirements. Please Click Here To Download Accreditation Critera And Application For Inspectors