BCIN House: The Best First BCIN Exam to Get a Job Faster

Starting your BCIN journey can feel overwhelming.

There are 16 different BCIN exams, and many students fail simply because they choose the wrong exam first.

I’ve seen students attempt Small Buildings multiple times, fail, lose confidence, and eventually quit — even though they were capable.

👉 In this blog, I’ll share my honest and practical recommendations on:

• Which BCIN exam should start with

• Why BCIN House is the smartest first choice

• A step-by-step strategy to get a job faster

• Free and paid resources that actually help

Let’s simplify this. 💡

Step 1️⃣ – Clarify Your Purpose (Most Important Step)

Before choosing any BCIN exam, ask yourself one simple question:

👉 Why do I want to write the BCIN exam?

Your answer decides everything.

Common goals:

• 🏗️ Become a designer

• 📐 Work in a private firm (contractor, architectural, design office)

• 🏛️ Become a plan examiner or building inspector

• 🏢 Work for a municipality or city

A person prepares to jot down thoughts in a notebook labeled "Clarify Your Purpose," accompanied by a compass and a cup of coffee, symbolizing direction and focus.

👉 No matter which path you choose, two basic exams are essential to get started quickly:

1. BCIN House

2. BCIN General Legal

Which Exam Should You Prepare First? 🤔

✅ My Recommendation: Start with BCIN House

Here’s why 👇

🔹 1. BCIN House is a technical exam

• It’s closely related to architecture, construction, and civil studies.

• Most students already have some background in these topics.

• Easier to understand than legal theory

🔹 2. Tons of learning content available

• YouTube videos

• Visual explanations

• Real construction examples

• Easier self-study compared to General Legal

Exploring the synergy between AI technology and YouTube's video platform.

3. Faster job opportunities

Once you pass BCIN House, you can apply to:

• Private design firms

• Contractors

• Architectural offices

• Small design consultancies

👉 These private-sector jobs don’t always require a General Legal BCIN.

4. General Legal is more important for government jobs

• City inspector

• Plan examiner

• Municipal roles

💡 Strategy:

Get experience first, then prepare for General Legal.

The Best Strategy (That Actually Works) 🧠

✅ Step-by-Step Winning Plan

✔ Step 1: Crack BCIN House

✔ Step 2: Get a job quickly

✔ Step 3: Use the Ontario Building Code daily at work

✔ Step 4: Gain real-world experience

✔ Step 5: Prepare BCIN General Legal or other exams alongside your job

This approach builds confidence, income, and experience at the same time.

The illustration highlights the interplay between confidence, income, and experience, represented by icons signifying personal assurance, financial growth, and accumulated skills.

BCIN House vs BCIN Small Buildings

Many students ask:

“If the syllabus is almost the same, why not directly attempt Small Buildings?”

Here’s the honest answer 👇

🔸 Yes, the syllabus is similar

🔸 BUT Small Buildings is much tougher

A visual comparison between a standalone house and a small apartment building, highlighting different residential living options, surrounded by greenery under a clear sky.

🎯 Real-life comparison:

• BCIN House = G2 license

• BCIN Small Buildings = G license

With a G2, you can:

• Drive

• Learn

• Make small, affordable mistakes

Same here:

• Pass BCIN House

• Start working

• Learn on the job

• Then upgrade to Small Buildings

📉 Reality check:

Most students who fail Small Buildings multiple times lose motivation and never attempt again.

👉 Go step by step. Don’t jump.

"Illustrated process roadmap guiding goal achievement through four steps: Plan, Prepare, Execute, and Review, with a reminder to follow the sequence and avoid skipping steps."

Initial Preparation – What Should You Do First? 📚

Students often ask:

• Should I buy a course?

• Should I join a college?

• Should I buy the building code?

• Where do I even start?

Let’s simplify 👇

Step 1: Get the 2024 Ontario Building Code (FREE)

You don’t need to buy it.

Construction essentials on display: a hard hat, building blueprints, and the International Building Code book signify the critical focus on compliance and safety in the construction industry.

✔ You can access the Ontario Building Code online for free

✔ This helps you:

• Follow references in videos

• Understand real exam questions.

• Save money initially

Step 2: Learn Basics from YouTube 🎥

Before deep reading, understand how houses are actually built.

Tablet displaying "Learning Content" on a desk with a notebook, coffee cup, and headphones, creating an ideal setup for online study or content creation.

✅ Recommended YouTube Channels:

1️⃣ Francesco Tangorra

👉 Best for OBC Part 9 (Houses)

2️⃣ Tom Stephenson

👉 General understanding of building construction in Ontario

3️⃣ This Old House

👉 US-based, but very visual and fun learning

4️⃣ Matt Risinger

👉 Excellent knowledge of modern building systems

5️⃣ Archicorner

👉 Focuses on IBC, but many basic concepts overlap with OBC

Step 3: Use Visual Books 📖 (Highly Recommended)

These books make the Building Code easier to understand:

📘 The Complete Visual Guide to Building a House

💰 ~$70 on Amazon

📘 National Building Code – Illustrated User’s Guide

💰 ~$75 (Printed) | 🆓 Free PDF available

👉 Why NBC?

• The Ontario Building Code is based on the National Building Code.

• NBC explanations make OBC reading much easier

Step 4: Study the 2024 BCIN House Syllabus 🎯

Now that your basics are clear:

• Read the official 2024 BCIN House syllabus.

• Study directly from the Ontario Building Code.

• Focus on understanding, not memorizing.

Step 5: Test Yourself with Real Exam-Style Questions 📝

Once you feel confident:

✅ Practice with exam-based quiz questions

✅ Identify weak areas

✅ Get mentorship and exam strategies

A student engages in an online study session, taking notes from a laptop while referencing a textbook, illustrating a focused and productive home-learning environment.

👉 Our platform helps you:

• Practice real exam-style questions.

• Understand code references

• Get guidance to pass on your first attempt 💪

Final Thoughts 💭

If you’re starting your BCIN journey, keep it simple:

✔ Don’t rush

✔ Don’t jump to Small Buildings

✔ Don’t ignore experience

👉 BCIN House is the smartest, safest, and fastest way to start.

Crack BCIN House Exam.

Get a job.

Gain experience.

Then level up. 🚀

A jubilant graduate celebrates both her graduation and a new job opportunity, holding a "Hired!" sign aloft as confetti rains down, accompanied by her supportive friends in front of an impressive university building.

FAQs

Which BCIN exam should I start with as a beginner?

If you are new to BCIN exams, BCIN House is the best exam to start with. It is a technical exam based on residential construction (Part 9 of the Ontario Building Code) and is easier to understand compared to legal or advanced exams.

Is BCIN House easier than BCIN Small Buildings?

Yes. Although the syllabus is almost similar, BCIN Small Buildings is more difficult. BCIN House is a better first step because it allows you to learn, gain experience, and build confidence before attempting Small Buildings.

Can I get a job after passing BCIN House?

Yes. After passing BCIN House, you can apply for jobs in:

• Private design firms

• Contractors

• Architectural offices

• Residential design companies

Many private-sector employers accept BCIN House as an entry-level qualification.

Do I need BCIN General Legal to get a job?

Not always. BCIN General Legal is essential for municipal or government jobs, such as a building inspector or plan examiner. However, many private-sector roles do not require it immediately. You can prepare for General Legal after gaining work experience.

Should I attempt BCIN Small Buildings directly instead of BCIN House?

For most students, no. Attempting Small Buildings first often leads to multiple failures and loss of confidence. A step-by-step approach — House first, then Small Buildings — gives much better results.

Is the Ontario Building Code free?

Yes. You can access the Ontario Building Code online for free. This is enough for BCIN House preparation and helps you follow the references used in videos and study materials.

Do I need to buy a course to pass BCIN House?

Not necessarily. Many students start with:

• Free Ontario Building Code

• YouTube learning

• Visual building books

A structured course or quiz platform can help later when you want to test your readiness and exam confidence.

Is the National Building Code useful for BCIN House?

Yes. The Ontario Building Code is based on the National Building Code (NBC). The Free NBC Illustrated Guide is very helpful for understanding concepts before reading the OBC.

How do I know if I’m ready for the BCIN House exam?

You are ready when:

• You understand Part 9 concepts clearly

• You can find answers quickly in the Building Code

• You score well in exam-style practice questions

Practicing with realistic quizzes helps identify weak areas before the real exam.

Can I pass BCIN House on my first attempt?

Yes — with the right strategy.

Most first-attempt failures happen due to:

• Choosing the wrong exam first

• Lack of Building Code familiarity

• No exam-style practice

A structured, step-by-step approach greatly improves first-attempt success.

*Please note that the information shared in our blog is for educational purposes only, and we do not assume any liability for the actions or decisions made based on this information.