What is the Permit Technician Career Advancement Academy?

The Academy is designed to maximize the leadership and redefine the future of counter technicians, specifically their technical and interpersonal skills, to strengthen building department operations. Each academy participant learns vital information for their building department role, including how to best use their skills to support customers and fellow staff and evaluate their professional roadmap and timeline, such as long and short-term goals. This is an active engagement program with the instructors and attendees participating in shared discussions and coursework to learn from one another while building upon network opportunities for future support.

Who is the best candidate for the Academy?

The Academy is open to registration for all counter personnel within building safety, but the curriculum is designed for those with 3-5 years of counter experience and an ICC Permit Technician certification. But, those without these qualifications can still apply and attend.

When does the Academy take place?

The next available Academy takes place at the 2026 CALBO Education Weeks on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 in Burlingame and Wednesday, October 28, 2026 in Costa Mesa.

Is the Academy in-person or virtual?

The Academy has both in-person and virtual attendance requirements.

There is one in-person course that takes place at the 2026 Education Weeks (Wednesday, September 30, 2026 in Burlingame and Wednesday, October 28, 2026 in Costa Mesa), but the other curriculum takes place virtually.

The curriculum dates and requirements are listed in the Academy registration packet. Approval by the applicant’s supervisor is required at time of application submission.

What is the Academy course prerequisites?

The following two CALBO courses are required PRIOR to the Academy, but each are available at the 2026 Education Weeks before the Academy starts.

– Prerequisite Course Title #1: Permit Technician Career Advancement: The Core Essentials (not included in academy fee)
*Can register to attend virtually or in-person.
 
– Prerequisite Course Title #2: Permit Technician Career Advancement: How to Properly Screen Plans for Successful Permit Services (not included in academy fee)
*Can register to attend virtually or in-person.

What is the Academy curriculum?

Course Examples include:
- Permit Technician Career Advancement: Honing Your Skills to Elevate Your Role in Providing Permit Center Services
- Navigating State Laws for Counter Operations
- Building Permit Counter Expertise: Mastering the Ability to Review Documents for Various Permits
- Building Services Excellence: Elevating Customer Experiences at the Counter
- Code Enforcement Essentials for Permit Technicians
- Contractor Licensing Fundamentals for Counter Technicians
- Zoning for Permit Technicians
- Much More!

When will Academy registration be available?

Registration and details for the 2026 Academy are now available. Please visit: www.calbo.org/permit-technician-academy.

Is certification provided to Academy graduates?

Certification is not provided as part of the Academy benefits. Each participant who completes all Academy requirements are recognized at the Education Weeks Academy Graduation Celebrations.