You'll need:

• knowledge of building and construction
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• knowledge of English language
• analytical thinking skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• thinking and reasoning skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You'll need to:

• have a full driving licence

You can do a higher national diploma, foundation degree or degree in a relevant subject like:

• building studies
• civil engineering
• structural engineering
• building control surveying
• building surveying

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

You could do a college course, which could help when you apply for trainee jobs in building control. Courses include:

• Level 3 Certificate in Construction and the Built Environment
• T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction

Entry requirements

You may need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to T Levels
• search for courses

You can do a building control surveyor degree apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships
• higher and degree apprenticeships

You could move into building control from another job in construction, like quantity surveying or site management.

Registration

• you'll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site

Professional and industry bodies

You could join one a professional body to help with your professional development, including:

• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
• The Chartered Institute of Building
• Chartered Association of Building Engineers

Further information

You can find out more about careers and training in building control from:

• The Chartered Institute of Building
• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
• Local Authority Building Control

As a building control officer you'll:

• work closely with architects, designers, builders and engineers
• suggest ways to make building projects more cost effective 
• carry out site inspections
• write inspection reports and issue completion certificates
• survey unsafe buildings, giving advice or approving their demolition
• authorise entertainment licenses and check safety at public venues and events

You could work in an office or on a construction site.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers and at height.