BCIN Designer qualifications
BCIN Designer qualification. What is it and how does it affect my project?
BCIN stands for Building Code Identification Number. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (the Ministry responsible for the Ontario Building Code, or OBC) requires a certain minimal level of proficiency be demonstrated by practitioners in the application of the building code. You may have been told that you need a qualified BCIN to prepare your building permit. This is a good thing, to know that your project complies with the OBC….right?
It is, but looking at the big picture, OBC compliance may only be a small part of your entire project
. Where it gets a little confusing is that the term ‘Designer’ is the designation applied to those who meet the testing requirements laid out by the Ministry.
So, what’s wrong with that? Well, nothing really, so long as you don’t confuse the Ministry’s designation of ‘Designer’ (capital D) with the commonly held definition of ‘design’ which includes the idea of something being created artistically and skillfully by a trained professional. The Ministry uses the term Designer to differentiate this qualification from others such as Architects, Engineers and Technologists. In fact, the Ministry’s qualification is actually only a small subset of the qualifications already possessed by these professionals. Furthermore, Architects and Engineers are recognized by law to have already met the proficiency level required.
Wait a second, are you saying that a BCIN ‘Designer’ isn’t a ‘designer’? Maybe I am…..Maybe I’m not. It all depends on the education, training and experience of the individual in addition to their ‘Designer’ designation. If your project entails more than minimum code compliance, you’ll want to do a little homework to make sure you have the right Designer to do your design. You may find that a BCIN Designer works for your needs or you may find that an Architect is the better choice.
I hope this helps. For the record, I am an Architectural Technologist, with a BCIN qualification who is a partner in an Architecture Firm. We offer design services to satisfy smaller projects that will benefit from an architect’s design input.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.






