Reviewed against ASME A17.1 / CSA B44 Safety Code §8.10 (Acceptance and Periodic Inspection and Tests)

Elevator Inspection & Certification Compliance Calculator

Track the ASME A17.1 §8.10 Category 1 (annual) and Category 5 (five-year load test) inspection compliance status for one or more elevators against the state regulatory regime. State coverage: NY (NYC DOB / NYS DOS), CA (Cal/OSHA DIR), FL (DBPR Bureau of Elevator Safety), TX (TDLR), IL (IDOL), MA (DPS) — covering the majority of US commercial elevator inventory. Outputs months until each inspection deadline, overdue / warning flags, estimated state and QEI inspector fees, combined annual compliance cost, and a state-specific jurisdictional note. Tool, not advice — state elevator-safety code adoption and fee schedules update frequently; contact the state agency or a NAESA-certified QEI inspector for the definitive compliance calendar.

Calculator

Adjust the inputs below; the result updates instantly.

Jurisdiction

State / jurisdiction

State elevator-safety regime. Calculator coverage: NY (NYC DOB / NYS DOS), CA (Cal/OSHA DIR), FL (DBPR Bureau of Elevator Safety), TX (TDLR), IL (IDOL), MA (DPS). Select 'Other' for states not in calculator coverage — the calculator returns the ASME A17.1 §8.10 baseline (Category 1 annual, Category 5 five-year) with a default fee band; verify state-specific fee and lead-time with the state agency.

Building

Number of elevators in the building

Inspection status

Months since last Category 1 (annual) inspection

Months since last Category 5 (five-year load test)

Category 1 (annual) status

Due in 4.0 months

Months until Category 1 deadline: 4
Months until Category 5 deadline: 24
Annual Category 1 fee — low estimate: $200.00
Annual Category 1 fee — high estimate: $520.00
Five-year Category 5 fee — low estimate: $1,600.00
Five-year Category 5 fee — high estimate: $4,800.00
Jurisdictional note: Florida: DBPR Bureau of Elevator Safety (Chapter 399 F.S. and Rule 61C-5 F.A.C.) requires annual Category 1 by state-licensed elevator inspector; state inspection fee $50-$130 per elevator; private QEI cost $150-$300. Five-year Category 5 required. Florida adopts ASME A17.1 by reference with a typical 1-2 cycle lag.
Summary: For 4 elevators in FL: Category 1 (annual) due in 4.0 months — schedule in the normal annual maintenance budget cycle. Category 5 (five-year load test) due in 24.0 months — schedule in the five-year capital cycle. Estimated state inspection fees: Category 1 $200-$520 per year; Category 5 $1,600-$4,800 every five years. Combined annual compliance cost at midpoint: $1,000. Florida: DBPR Bureau of Elevator Safety (Chapter 399 F.S. and Rule 61C-5 F.A.C.) requires annual Category 1 by state-licensed elevator inspector; state inspection fee $50-$130 per elevator; private QEI cost $150-$300. Five-year Category 5 required. Florida adopts ASME A17.1 by reference with a typical 1-2 cycle lag. This is a compliance calendar tool, not a substitute for the state elevator-safety agency's official certification record. ASME A17.1 §8.10 (Acceptance and Periodic Inspection and Tests) defines the Category 1 and Category 5 baseline; ASME A17.2 is the inspector field manual; the QEI inspector credential is administered by NAESA International or by ASME certification. State adoption of A17.1 typically lags by one or two cycles. For a definitive compliance schedule, contact the state elevator-safety agency or a NAESA-certified QEI inspector serving the jurisdiction; for tax treatment of inspection fees as ordinary-and-necessary repair-and-maintenance expense under 26 USC § 162, consult a CPA familiar with commercial real estate accounting.

Tools to go with this

Managing an elevator inspection calendar across multiple buildings? Centralize the compliance schedule before a certification lapses.

Fennec Press's elevator service operations bundle includes the multi-building Category 1 / Category 5 inspection calendar template, the state-by-state QEI inspector lead-time reference, the NAESA-certified inspector directory by metro, the ASME A17.1 §8.10 Category 1 and Category 5 scope checklists, the Maintenance Control Program (MCP) documentation template required during the Category 1 inspection review, and the late-certification penalty matrix (NYC ECB, Cal/OSHA stop-use, FL DBPR red-tag).

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Published by

The Fennec Lab Editorial Team

Statute-cited · Unit-tested

Reviewed against: ASME A17.1 / CSA B44 Safety Code §8.10 (Acceptance and Periodic Inspection and Tests) — the Category 1 and Category 5 inspection baseline; ASME A17.2 Guide for Inspection of Elevators, Escalators, and Moving Walks — the inspector field manual; QEI-1 ANSI / ASME standard for Qualification of Elevator Inspectors (NAESA International or ASME-administered credential); New York City Building Code Subchapter 18 (elevator periodic inspection); New York State DOS elevator regulations; California Title 8 §3000 et seq. (Cal/OSHA Elevator Unit); Florida Chapter 399 F.S. and Rule 61C-5 F.A.C. (DBPR Bureau of Elevator Safety); Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 754 (TDLR Elevator Safety Program); Illinois Elevator Safety Act and IDOL Elevator Safety Section rules; Massachusetts 524 CMR (DPS Elevator Regulations)

Last reviewed: 2026-05-17

How this calculator works

This calculator tracks the ASME A17.1 §8.10 Category 1 (annual) and Category 5 (five-year load test) inspection compliance status for one or more elevators against a specific state regulatory regime. Inputs: state jurisdiction (NY, CA, FL, TX, IL, MA, or Other), number of elevators, months elapsed since the last Category 1 inspection, and months elapsed since the last Category 5 load test. Outputs: months until each inspection deadline, overdue and warning flags, estimated state and QEI inspector fees, combined annual compliance cost at midpoint, and a state-specific jurisdictional note.

Inputs are expressed as months-since-last rather than as calendar dates because the inspection regime is interval-based (12 months for Category 1, 60 months for Category 5), not calendar-anchored. The output is a compliance calendar tool, not a substitute for the state elevator-safety agency's official certification record.

The framework — ASME A17.1, ASME A17.2, QEI-1, and state code overlays

ASME A17.1 / CSA B44 is the harmonized US/Canada elevator-and-escalator safety code. Section 8.10 (Acceptance and Periodic Inspection and Tests) defines five inspection categories; the two recurring categories for in-service elevators are:

Category 1 (annual). Visual examination, safety-device test, emergency-operation verification, and Maintenance Control Program (MCP) compliance review. Performed annually by a QEI-certified inspector. Typical duration 1-3 hours per elevator.
Category 5 (five-year). Full no-load and rated-load performance test, governor pull test, brake test under load, buffer test, and safety-clamp test. Performed every 60 months. Typical duration 4-8 hours per elevator with the elevator out of service for the entire test.

ASME A17.2 is the inspector field manual — the detailed procedure for the Category 1 and Category 5 inspections. The QEI (Qualified Elevator Inspector) credential is administered by NAESA International or by ASME certification under QEI-1.

State implementation varies materially. Most states adopt ASME A17.1 by reference (typically with a one-or-two-cycle lag — many states are on A17.1-2019 or A17.1-2022 depending on the state code adoption calendar) and add a state-specific elevator-safety code on top:

New York. NYC DOB Subchapter 18 and NYS DOS rules. Annual Category 1 by third-party QEI; building owner files a CAT 1 report. Late filing triggers ECB violations starting at $1,250 per elevator.
California. Cal/OSHA DIR Elevator Unit (Title 8 §3000 et seq.). Annual permit-to-operate; inspection by state inspector or insurance-company QEI. Permit fee $200-$500 per elevator.
Florida. DBPR Bureau of Elevator Safety (Chapter 399 F.S. and Rule 61C-5 F.A.C.). Annual Category 1 by state-licensed inspector; state fee $50-$130; private QEI cost $150-$300.
Texas. TDLR Elevator Safety Program (Health and Safety Code Chapter 754). Annual inspection by TDLR-licensed inspector; state fee $30-$70.
Illinois. IDOL Elevator Safety Section. Biennial state inspection in many jurisdictions; Chicago has additional municipal regime.
Massachusetts. DPS Elevator Section (524 CMR). Five-year state certification with annual maintenance examination.

Inputs explained

State. Select the jurisdiction; calculator returns the state-specific fee band and jurisdictional note. For states not in calculator coverage, select Other for the ASME A17.1 baseline.

Number of elevators. Total units; fees scale linearly with count.

Months since last Category 1. Elapsed months since the most recent annual inspection on file. Use 0 for an inspection performed this month; 12 for exactly one year ago; values above 12 mean the inspection is overdue and the certification has lapsed.

Months since last Category 5. Elapsed months since the most recent five-year load test. Use 0 if just completed; 60 if exactly five years ago; values above 60 mean the load test has lapsed and both insurance and operating-authority exposure is material.

Industry benchmarks

NAEC, NEII, and the state elevator-safety agencies report consistent compliance economics:

Category 1 fee bands by state. Florida $50-$130 state fee plus $150-$300 private QEI cost. New York $200-$400 per elevator including third-party QEI. California $200-$500 permit fee. Texas $30-$70 state fee plus $100-$200 private inspector. Illinois biennial $50-$200 (annual-equivalent). Massachusetts $200-$400 per five-year certification cycle.
Category 5 fee band. $400-$1,200 per elevator nationwide. The cost is driven by the load weights (200-1,250 pounds of certified weights staged at the building, with a $300-$800 moving-company logistics fee), the inspector + contractor coordination time (4-8 hours per car, both parties on-site), and the after-hours premium for buildings that schedule the test outside business hours.
Lead time. QEI inspector lead time runs 30-60 days in major metros, 60-90 days in secondary markets. Buildings missing the lead time before a certification expires frequently incur a lapsed-window penalty before the inspection can be scheduled.
MCP-related findings. Approximately 30-40% of Category 1 inspections cite at least one MCP-related finding (missing MCP file, MCP intervals not matching maintenance log, MCP scope omits recent A17.1 amendments). MCP findings typically require remediation within 30-90 days; second-cycle findings trigger more substantial enforcement.
Combined annual compliance cost. For a typical 4-elevator residential high-rise in Florida: Category 1 at $400-$1,000 per year plus Category 5 amortized at $320-$960 per year, total $720-$1,960 per year. For a 10-elevator NYC tower: Category 1 at $2,000-$4,000 plus Category 5 amortized at $800-$2,400, total $2,800-$6,400 per year. State fee structure dominates the variance.

What this calculator does NOT model

Modernization-trigger inspections. Major modernization frequently triggers an Acceptance (Category 0) inspection that is independent of the Category 1 / Category 5 cycle. The calculator does not model the Acceptance inspection.
Escalator inspections. Escalators are subject to ASME A17.1 Part 6 with different scope and fee structure. The calculator targets elevators.
Special inspection events. Post-incident inspections (after an entrapment, collision, or injury) and pre-occupancy inspections (after major facade or hoistway work) are outside the routine compliance cycle.
MCP scope review. The calculator does not evaluate MCP adequacy. ASME A17.1 §8.6 MCP scope review is performed during the Category 1 inspection itself.
State code adoption cycle. Most states adopt ASME A17.1 by reference with a one-or-two-cycle lag. The calculator uses the ASME A17.1 baseline; specific state-code variations should be verified with the state agency.
Penalty escalation curves. Late-certification penalties typically escalate over time (NYC ECB violations compound; Cal/OSHA stop-use orders become enforceable; FL DBPR red-tags trigger insurance consequences). The calculator surfaces the overdue flag; the penalty schedule is jurisdiction-specific and changes frequently.
Insurance-carrier inspection requirements. Property insurance carriers frequently require inspection records on a tighter cycle than the state code (e.g. monthly safety check log, quarterly governor-test attestation). The calculator targets state regulatory compliance; carrier-specific requirements are addressed separately.
Multi-state portfolio reporting. The calculator handles one jurisdiction per run. Multi-state portfolios require running the calculator per jurisdiction and reconciling the output.

Sources

ASME A17.1 / CSA B44 — Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators. §8.10 defines Acceptance and Periodic Inspection and Tests including the Category 1 (annual) and Category 5 (five-year) baseline.
ASME A17.2 — Guide for Inspection of Elevators, Escalators, and Moving Walks. The inspector field manual; detailed procedure for each inspection category.
QEI-1. ANSI / ASME standard for Qualification of Elevator Inspectors; the QEI credential is administered by NAESA International or by ASME certification.
NYC Building Code Subchapter 18. New York City elevator periodic inspection requirements; CAT 1 / CAT 5 reporting portal and ECB violation schedule.
NYS Department of State. New York State elevator regulations governing inspectors and contractors outside NYC.
California Title 8 §3000 et seq. Cal/OSHA DIR Elevator Unit regulations; annual permit-to-operate requirement.
Florida Chapter 399 F.S. and Rule 61C-5 F.A.C. DBPR Bureau of Elevator Safety statute and rule.
Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 754. TDLR Elevator Safety Program; annual inspection and contractor licensure regime.
Illinois Elevator Safety Act. IDOL Elevator Safety Section rules; Chicago municipal inspection overlay.
Massachusetts 524 CMR. DPS Elevator Section regulations; five-year certification cycle.
26 USC § 162. Federal tax treatment of inspection fees as ordinary-and-necessary repair-and-maintenance expense for commercial property.

Last reviewed: 2026-05-17 against the sources above. State elevator-safety code adoption and fee schedules update frequently; verify against the state agency on the date of compliance.

ASME A17.1 §8.10 defines two recurring inspection categories. Category 1 (annual) is a visual examination and safety-device test — the inspector confirms that the door operator, emergency stop, alarm, lighting, leveling, and Phase I / Phase II firefighter recall operate per the original specification; reviews the Maintenance Control Program (MCP) file and the contractor maintenance log; and runs a no-load test of the emergency operation. Typical duration 1-3 hours per elevator. Category 5 (five-year) is a full performance test under rated load — the inspector and the maintenance contractor jointly run a rated-load operation test, governor pull test, brake test under rated load, buffer test, and safety-clamp test using certified load weights staged on the cab. Typical duration 4-8 hours per elevator, with the elevator out of service for the entire test. The Category 5 test is the more demanding regulatory event and requires substantially more coordination than the Category 1.

A QEI-certified (Qualified Elevator Inspector) credentialed inspector — independent of the maintenance contractor — performs both the Category 1 and Category 5 inspections in most jurisdictions. The QEI credential is administered by NAESA International under QEI-1 or by ASME certification. Some states (CA Cal/OSHA, MA DPS) deploy state-employed inspectors; some states (NY, FL, TX) require a private third-party QEI inspector with state license overlay; some states delegate to the property insurance carrier. The maintenance contractor is typically required to be present at the Category 5 inspection to operate the elevator under test and to attest to the MCP record at the Category 1 inspection, but does NOT perform the inspection itself. The inspector-contractor separation is a deliberate code structure to ensure independent verification.

Consequences scale with the jurisdiction and the elapsed lapse. (1) Certification expiration — the elevator no longer holds a current permit-to-operate; in most jurisdictions, the elevator is technically operating outside its authorization once the certification window has closed. (2) Municipal violation — NYC ECB violations start at $1,250 per elevator for a late CAT 1 filing; Cal/OSHA can issue a stop-use order requiring the elevator out of service until the inspection is completed; FL DBPR can red-tag the elevator. (3) Insurance exposure — most commercial property insurance carriers require evidence of current elevator certification as a coverage condition; a claim during the lapsed window may be declined or partially declined. (4) Maintenance-contract liability — most contractor agreements include an attestation that the contractor will maintain the MCP record consistent with code; a missed Category 1 may shift liability to the contractor depending on contract terms. (5) Modernization or repair-permit hold — many jurisdictions decline to issue elevator work permits during a certification lapse.

State elevator-inspection fees vary materially. (1) Florida — DBPR charges $50-$130 per elevator per Category 1 with a tiered schedule by type; private QEI cost adds $150-$300. (2) New York — NYC requires a private third-party QEI inspector; total Category 1 cost typically $200-$400 per elevator; ECB late penalties at $1,250+. (3) California — Cal/OSHA permit fee $200-$500 per elevator depending on type and county; renewals include the inspection cost. (4) Texas — TDLR fee $30-$70 per elevator; private inspector cost typically $100-$200 additional. (5) Illinois — biennial state inspection at $50-$200 per elevator; Chicago adds a municipal inspection. (6) Massachusetts — DPS five-year certification fee $200-$400 per elevator. The Category 5 load test runs $400-$1,200 per elevator regardless of jurisdiction (the load weights and the inspector + contractor staffing time dominate the cost).

Yes, and many buildings do — particularly residential high-rises where putting an elevator out of service during business hours generates resident complaints. After-hours and weekend scheduling typically adds 15-30% to the contractor labor cost (overtime under the IUEC collective bargaining agreement) and 10-20% to the inspector cost. The load test still requires the certified load weights staged at the building (200-1,250 pounds depending on rated capacity); the moving company that delivers and retrieves the weights typically charges $300-$800 per elevator for the staging logistics. Buildings with elevator banks (multiple cars in a single shaft cluster) frequently schedule the load tests on consecutive nights to amortize the load-weight delivery cost across multiple cars.

Yes — the MCP is the primary document the QEI inspector reviews during the Category 1 inspection. ASME A17.1 §8.6 requires that every elevator have a documented Maintenance Control Program — a written procedure specifying the inspection-and-maintenance interval, scope, and standard for every safety-critical component. The MCP must be tailored to the specific equipment (a hydraulic MCP and a traction MCP are not interchangeable) and must be available on file at the property. Common Category 1 findings tied to the MCP: missing MCP file (cited as a code violation, not a maintenance finding); MCP intervals shorter than the contractor maintenance log evidences (the maintenance is not actually being performed at the documented interval); MCP scope omits recent A17.1 amendments adopted by the state. A contractor change typically requires a 30-90 day MCP handoff window during which the outgoing contractor delivers the MCP file to the incoming contractor.

Escalators are subject to ASME A17.1 like elevators, but the inspection scope differs. Category 1 inspection for escalators emphasizes step-band integrity, handrail synchronization, brake-and-governor function, comb plate condition, and step-band-to-comb tolerances; Category 5 includes a full brake test under rated load and a static-and-dynamic step-band test. State fees and intervals typically mirror the elevator schedule. The calculator targets elevators specifically because elevators dominate the inspection cost in mid-rise and high-rise residential buildings (escalators are rare in residential settings and concentrated in transit, retail, and large mixed-use developments). For escalator-specific compliance, consult ASME A17.1 Part 6 (Escalators and Moving Walks) and a QEI-certified inspector with escalator-specific endorsement.

Inspection fees are generally treated as ordinary-and-necessary repair-and-maintenance expense under 26 USC § 162 and deductible in the year incurred for commercial property. Residential rental property treats inspection fees similarly under § 212. Inspection fees are NOT capitalized as part of the building basis under 26 USC § 263 because they are recurring routine maintenance, not betterments or restorations. Larger periodic events (the five-year Category 5 with significant remediation work uncovered during the test) may bridge into capitalizable territory if the remediation involves component replacement rather than adjustment-and-repair; the IRS tangible-property regulations (Treas. Reg. § 1.263(a)-3) provide the betterment / restoration framework. For tax treatment specific to a building, consult a CPA familiar with commercial real estate accounting.

Resources

Links marked sponsoredmay earn The Fennec Lab a commission. They do not affect the calculator's output. See disclosures.

NAESA International — Elevator Inspector Certification — NAESA International — the principal administrator of the QEI (Qualified Elevator Inspector) credential under QEI-1; directory of certified inspectors by metro and the certification-renewal continuing-education schedule.
ASME A17 Standards Committee — Elevators and Escalators — ASME A17.1 / CSA B44 — harmonized US/Canada elevator safety code; §8.10 defines the Category 1 and Category 5 inspection baseline.
NYC DOB — Elevator Compliance — New York City Department of Buildings — periodic inspection requirements under NYC Building Code Subchapter 18; CAT 1 and CAT 5 filing portal and ECB violation schedule.
California Cal/OSHA DIR — Elevator Unit — California Department of Industrial Relations Cal/OSHA Elevator Unit — annual permit-to-operate, inspection scheduling, fee schedule, and stop-use order procedures.
Florida DBPR — Bureau of Elevator Safety — Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Bureau of Elevator Safety — annual Category 1 inspection regime under Chapter 399 F.S. and Rule 61C-5 F.A.C.; state inspection-fee schedule and inspector directory.
Texas TDLR — Elevator Safety Program — Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Elevator Safety Program under Health and Safety Code Chapter 754 — annual inspection regime, state-licensed inspector directory, and contractor / mechanic licensure.