Get Involved
Help Write the Codes You Enforce
The people who use the codes every day make them better. COEA members serve on ICC, NFPA, UL and Florida committees. Here is where you can volunteer, what it takes, and where to apply.
Start with COEA
The easiest place to begin is right here. Both are open to members in good standing.
Teach a course
Share what you know from the field. Lead an in-person seminar, a webinar or an on-demand course for your fellow members.
- Topics you know from plan review, inspections or your trade
- The Educational Committee reviews applications and the Board approves
- We help with the course filing for DBPR and other boards
Join a COEA committee
Help run the association. Committees are appointed each January and meet in person, by phone or by video.
- Educational, Legislative Affairs, Membership, Events, Awards, By-Laws, Nomination, Branding
- A few meetings a year; pick the one that fits your interests
- A good first step toward serving on the Board
Three ways to help write the codes
You don’t need a committee seat to make a difference.
Submit public comments on ICC code changes in cdpACCESS, Public Input on NFPA standards, or comments on UL proposals. Attend Florida Building Commission TAC meetings.
If your department is an ICC Governmental Member, make sure it registers voting representatives for the online code change vote.
Apply for a code committee below. Start with one that matches your licenses and daily work.
Where to volunteer
Deadlines change each cycle; check each organization’s page before applying.
ICC Code Development Committees
Vote on every proposed change to the International Codes (IBC, IRC, IMC, IPC, IFC, IECC, ISPSC and more) at the Committee Action Hearings.
- Time
- Two hearing weeks per cycle, plus reading proposals before each one. For the 2027–2029 cycle: Group A hearings April 13–22 and September 15–22, 2027; Group B May 1–9 and October 18–27, 2028.
- When to apply
- Applications for the 2027–2029 cycle closed April 1, 2026. Watch for the next Call for Committees.
- Good fit for
- Building officials, plans examiners and inspectors who know a code well.
ICC Code Action Committees and Councils
Write and support code change proposals on behalf of ICC (for example the Building, Fire, and Plumbing/Mechanical/Gas Code Action Committees), or help guide ICC's codes and membership programs.
- Time
- Several meetings a year, mostly virtual.
- When to apply
- Calls for committees are announced in ICC's Building Safety Journal; apply online when a call is open.
- Good fit for
- Experienced code officials who want to shape proposals before the hearings.
ICC Exam Development Committees
Write and review the questions on ICC certification exams for inspectors, plans examiners, building officials and permit technicians.
- Time
- Three-year terms (two terms maximum). Meetings and assignments throughout the term; ICC provides the training.
- When to apply
- Open all year. No testing experience needed.
- Good fit for
- Anyone holding ICC certifications in the exam's subject.
ICC Online Governmental Consensus Vote
Building departments that are ICC Governmental Members choose voting representatives who cast the final votes on code changes online. Anyone can submit code change proposals and public comments through cdpACCESS.
- Time
- A few hours during each voting period.
- When to apply
- Ask your building official whether your department's voting representatives are registered.
- Good fit for
- Every code official in a member jurisdiction.
NFPA Technical Committees and Code-Making Panels
Develop NFPA codes and standards such as NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code), NFPA 1, NFPA 101 and NFPA 72. NFPA looks for members in the Enforcing Authority category.
- Time
- Committee meetings over each revision cycle (historically about 10 meeting days over 3 to 5 years), plus balloting.
- When to apply
- Open all year. Find the standard, open its Technical Committee tab and click Apply to Committee. You can also submit Public Input on any standard.
- Good fit for
- Fire inspectors, electrical inspectors and plans examiners.
UL Standards & Engagement Technical Committees
Review, comment on and vote on UL safety standards for products code officials see every day, from electrical equipment to fire doors and pool equipment.
- Time
- About 20 to 30 hours a year, mostly online. Free.
- When to apply
- Open all year. Apply through the UL Standards MyInfo portal, or register as a stakeholder to comment without joining.
- Good fit for
- Electrical, fire and mechanical inspectors; regulators are a key interest group.
IAPMO Technical Committees (UPC and UMC)
Develop the Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Mechanical Code. Enforcing Authority is one of the interest categories.
- Time
- Meetings during each three-year code cycle.
- When to apply
- Applications for the 2030 editions closed January 30, 2026. Watch for the next call.
- Good fit for
- Plumbing and mechanical inspectors and plans examiners.
ASTM International Technical Committees
Write the test methods and material standards the codes reference, for example Committee E06 on Performance of Buildings.
- Time
- Committee meetings twice a year (in person or online) and ballots. Requires ASTM membership.
- When to apply
- Open all year.
- Good fit for
- Structural, building envelope and materials specialists.
Florida Building Commission and Technical Advisory Committees
The Commission adopts and updates the Florida Building Code; its Technical Advisory Committees (TACs) review code modifications by discipline. Commission members are appointed by the Governor.
- Time
- TAC meetings during each code update; anyone may attend and comment.
- When to apply
- Submit code modifications and comments during each code update cycle. To be considered for an appointment, contact the Commission and watch for Governor's appointment notices.
- Good fit for
- Code officials who want a say in Florida-specific amendments.
DBPR Licensing Boards (BCAIB, CILB, ECLB)
Serve on the board that licenses building code administrators, inspectors and plans examiners, or the contractor boards. Members are appointed by the Governor.
- Time
- Regular board meetings around the state.
- When to apply
- DBPR lists board vacancies and how to apply.
- Good fit for
- Senior code officials and licensed contractors.
Building Officials Association of Florida (BOAF)
COEA is the South Florida chapter of BOAF. BOAF committees work on legislation, education and code issues across the state.
- Time
- Varies by committee.
- When to apply
- Contact BOAF or ask a COEA board member about openings.
- Good fit for
- Any COEA member.
ASFPM and the Florida Floodplain Managers Association
ASFPM runs the Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) program and has national committees on topics like mapping, mitigation and floodplain regulations. FFMA is Florida's state chapter, with committees and an annual conference.
- Time
- Varies by committee; many meet by phone or video.
- When to apply
- Join ASFPM or FFMA, then contact the committee chair. CFMs renew with 16 CECs every two years.
- Good fit for
- Certified Floodplain Managers and anyone reviewing flood zone construction.
Broward County Board of Rules and Appeals (BORA)
BORA hears code appeals, issues interpretations and certifies inspectors in Broward County, supported by technical committees.
- Time
- Monthly board and committee meetings.
- When to apply
- Contact BORA about board and committee openings; meetings are open to the public.
- Good fit for
- Broward building officials and inspectors.
COEA members at the table
Members currently serving on code and standards committees:
Serving on a committee? Add it under My Account › My Service.
Want help applying?
COEA members who already serve can tell you what to expect, review your application, and the Board can provide a letter of support.
- Tell us which committee interests you
- Include your licenses and certifications
- When you’re appointed, add it under My Account › My Service so we can recognize you
Information checked November 2026. Application periods, deadlines and links change; confirm on each organization’s website.