Project Certification for Schools, Essential Services Construction Projects

Project certification is the process that the DSA uses to determine that the constructed project complies with the codes and regulations governing school construction (the codes and regulations being those used for the original design).

Electronic Document Submittal

Project stakeholders may submit and collaborate on documents in real time in DSAbox. This Cloud-based tool allows stakeholders to see when a documents was submitted to DSA and access the document and any time.

Project Inspector Card

As work progresses, the project inspector signs off the applicable blocks and sections of the DSA 152: Project Inspection Card - SAMPLE, in compliance with DSA procedure PR 13-01: Construction Oversight Process. A stop work order may be issued for failure to complete a section of form DSA 152. Detailed descriptions of documentation and inspection requirements are provided in the DSA 152 Manual - A Guide for Completing the Project Inspector Card.

Post Construction

As outlined in PR 13-02: Project Certification Process, once aware that a project is fully constructed, occupied, or otherwise in use, DSA works with the design/construction team collaboratively to finalize all certification requirements/documents. After the file is examined, the project is certified or issued a Notification of Requirements for Certification. If a project facility becomes occupied without certification, a report on the deficient paperwork is placed in the Certification Box, which is open to the public. On day 60 following the construction/occupation/use of the project, if the project is not certified, DSA will issue form DSA 301-N: Notification of Requirement for Certification - SAMPLE (PDF) to all parties associated with the project. Form DSA 301-N lists project deficiencies and the parties responsible for those deficiencies.

Even after being placed in the Certification Box, a project may be certified after all deficiencies have been resolved. The parties have an additional 60 days to resolve deficiencies identified on form DSA 301-N in order to certify the project. At the end of the second 60-day period (day 120 following the construction/occupation/use of the project), if the project is not certified, DSA issues form DSA 301-P: Notification of Requirement for Certification - SAMPLE (PDF) to all parties associated with the project. Like form DSA 301-N, form DSA 301-P is a list of deficiencies for the project and the parties responsible for those deficiencies.

Form DSA 301-P is posted in the publicly viewable Certification Box (see below). Any party responsible for a deficiency may submit the missing documentation to the Certification Box. School districts and design professionals may also submit form DSA 302: Response to 301-P Notification of Requirements for Certification (PDF), a document used to identify how they’ve attempted to resolve deficiencies.

Certification Box

Projects that are occupied without certification are placed in the Certification Box. Unlike DSAbox, which is a place for stakeholders to access project documents, the Certification Box is open to the public.  Available documents include form DSA 301-P; form DSA 102-IC: Construction Start Notice/Inspection Card Request (PDF), which identifies all parties associated with the project; and any submitted DSA 302 forms.

Project Certification

A project certification is acknowledged by a DSA letter certifying that the building project has been completed in accordance with the requirements as to the safety of design and construction pursuant to the respective statutory requirements. The certification process provides a method to determine the safety of school construction. DSA will be unable to approve new proposed projects associated with uncertified construction (See DSA IR A-20 for in depth discussion).

Proof of Project Certification

• Copy of DSA certification letter.
• Copy of DSA history card showing certification.
• DSA Tracker shows project is certified.

Information on achieving certification is on our Certify Construction Projects for School, Essential Services Facilities webpage.