California Supplemental Examination (CSE) flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Title 24 publication cycle

California's building standards are adopted and published on a three-year cycle, with each edition taking effect on January 1 of the following odd-numbered year.

Certificate of occupancy

A document issued by the building official confirming a completed structure complies with the approved plans and code, required before the building may be occupied or used.

Permit expiration rule

Under CBC Section 105.5, a permit becomes invalid if work does not begin within 12 months and expires if work is suspended for 180 days.

Type IV mass timber

The 2021 codes add Types IV-A, IV-B, and IV-C for mass timber, with 3-hour, 2-hour, and 1-hour fire-resistance ratings plus corresponding height and area limits.

Chapter 11A

The portion of the California Building Code governing accessibility for covered multifamily dwellings, including dwelling unit features, common areas, and site elements.

Chapter 11B

The portion of the California Building Code governing accessibility for public accommodations, commercial facilities, and publicly funded buildings, generally exceeding federal minimums.

Van-accessible parking ratio

At least one of every six accessible parking spaces, and never fewer than one, must be van-accessible with an appropriate access aisle.

CASp inspection

A review by a Certified Access Specialist that identifies accessibility compliance issues; commercial leases must disclose CASp status under Civil Code Section 1938.

Alquist-Priolo Act

A California statute zoning active earthquake faults and prohibiting structures for human occupancy within 50 feet of a mapped fault trace without geologic investigation.

Seismic Design Category

A classification from A through F derived from mapped spectral accelerations and Risk Category, governing permitted structural systems and detailing requirements.

Field Act

California law requiring DSA plan review and construction observation for K-12 and community college buildings to improve seismic performance and protect occupants.

Seismic Hazards Mapping Act

Requires state mapping of liquefaction and landslide zones; projects within a Zone of Required Investigation must include a site-specific geotechnical evaluation.

Business occupant load factor

Under CBC Table 1004.5, business occupancy uses 150 gross square feet per occupant for computing egress capacity, plumbing fixtures, and related requirements.

Dead-end corridor limits

Corridor dead ends may not exceed 20 feet in nonsprinklered buildings or 50 feet where the building is protected by an automatic sprinkler system.

Chapter 7A wildfire construction

California requirements for ignition-resistant construction in Wildland-Urban Interface fire hazard severity zones, covering roofs, vents, walls, decks, and windows.

NFPA 13R sprinklers

A residential sprinkler design standard permitted for residential occupancies up to four stories in height, with reduced water supply and coverage demands.

CALGreen Part 11

California's green building standards code, containing mandatory statewide measures plus voluntary Tier 1 and Tier 2 reach standards a jurisdiction may adopt.

Construction waste diversion

CALGreen requires covered projects to divert at least 65 percent of construction and demolition waste from landfill through recycling and salvage.

HERS verification

Third-party field verification and diagnostic testing by a certified rater of specified energy measures such as duct leakage and refrigerant charge.

Residential PV requirement

Title 24 Part 6 requires on-site photovoltaic generation on new low-rise residential buildings, with recent editions adding battery storage readiness.

CEQA lead agency

The public agency with principal responsibility for approving a project and therefore for preparing or overseeing its environmental review documents.

Mitigated negative declaration

An environmental document used when a project's significant effects are reduced to less than significant through revisions or mitigation incorporated before approval.

SB 743 VMT metric

California's change replacing level of service with vehicle miles traveled as the basis for analyzing transportation impacts under CEQA.

Housing element cycle

The housing element of a general plan must be updated every eight years and demonstrate capacity to meet the jurisdiction's Regional Housing Needs Allocation.

Preliminary 20-day notice

A statutory notice generally required before a claimant may record a mechanic's lien or serve a stop payment notice on a private work of improvement.

Civil Code 2782.8

Limits indemnity obligations in design professional contracts with public agencies, barring indemnity for a public agency's sole negligence, gross negligence, or willful misconduct.

Statute of repose

Code of Civil Procedure Section 337.15 bars latent construction defect claims filed more than ten years after substantial completion of the improvement.

Construction manager at risk

A delivery method in which the contractor provides preconstruction services and holds trade contracts, typically committing to a guaranteed maximum price.

Responsible control

The standard requiring a licensed architect to directly supervise and be responsible for documents that the architect signs and seals.

Continuing education hours

California architects must complete 5 hours of continuing education each year, including at least 2 hours related to accessibility, to renew licensure.

Architect Registration Examination

The national licensure exam administered by NCARB, currently organized into six divisions covering practice management through building design and systems.

Instruments of service ownership

Absent contract language to the contrary, the architect retains ownership and copyright of drawings and specifications and grants the client a license to use them.