LATEST RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICAL
INSPECTOR (E1) CERTIFICATION EXAM
OFFERED BY INTERNATIONAL CODE
COUNCIL (ICC) | Q&A WITH RATIONALES
1. A dwelling has 2,500 square feet of habitable floor
area (based on outside dimensions). What is the
minimum required general lighting and receptacle
load in volt-amperes (VA) before applying any
demand factors?
A) 2,500 VA
B) 3,000 VA
C) 5,000 VA
D) 7,500 VA
Correct answer: D
Rationale: IRC E3402.2 requires 3 VA per square foot
for general lighting and receptacles. 2,500 × 3 =
7,500 VA.
2. The maximum permitted supply circuit voltage for
a luminaire installed and submerged beneath the
surface of a permanently installed swimming pool is:
A) 12 V
,B) 24 V
C) 120 V
D) 240 V
Correct answer: B
Rationale: IRC E4203.1 limits submerged pool
luminaires to 24 V.
3. At least how many 20-ampere small-appliance
branch circuits are required in a dwelling unit
kitchen?
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
Correct answer: B
Rationale: IRC E3403.1 requires at least two 20-
ampere small-appliance branch circuits for kitchen
receptacles.
4. A 15-ampere branch circuit supplies two or more
receptacles. What is the minimum permitted ampere
rating for any individual receptacle on that circuit?
A) 10 A
,B) 15 A
C) 20 A
D) 30 A
Correct answer: B
Rationale: NFPA 70 210.21(B)(3) requires
receptacles on a 15 A branch circuit to have a rating
of 15 A.
5. What is the minimum number of 20-ampere laundry
branch circuits required in a dwelling unit?
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 0, no laundry circuit is required
Correct answer: A
Rationale: IRC E3403.2 requires at least one 20-
ampere branch circuit to supply the laundry
receptacle outlet(s).
6. The minimum number of 120-volt, 20-ampere
bathroom receptacle branch circuits required in a
dwelling unit is:
, A) 1, if only one branch circuit supplies all bathroom
receptacles
B) 2, one for each bathroom
C) 3
D) No dedicated circuit is required
Correct answer: A
Rationale: NFPA 70 210.11(C)(3) requires at least one
20 A branch circuit to supply bathroom receptacle
outlets. This circuit may supply outlets in multiple
bathrooms and no other outlets.
7. A dwelling has a total connected lighting load of
5,000 VA. The total receptacle load is 6,000 VA. What
is the net computed load for the general lighting and
receptacles after applying the demand factor
permitted by the IRC?
A) 8,000 VA
B) 9,000 VA
C) 10,000 VA
D) 11,000 VA
Correct answer: A
Rationale: IRC Table E3402.2 permits a demand
factor of 100% of the first 3,000 VA and 35% of the
remaining load. Total lighting and receptacle load is
INSPECTOR (E1) CERTIFICATION EXAM
OFFERED BY INTERNATIONAL CODE
COUNCIL (ICC) | Q&A WITH RATIONALES
1. A dwelling has 2,500 square feet of habitable floor
area (based on outside dimensions). What is the
minimum required general lighting and receptacle
load in volt-amperes (VA) before applying any
demand factors?
A) 2,500 VA
B) 3,000 VA
C) 5,000 VA
D) 7,500 VA
Correct answer: D
Rationale: IRC E3402.2 requires 3 VA per square foot
for general lighting and receptacles. 2,500 × 3 =
7,500 VA.
2. The maximum permitted supply circuit voltage for
a luminaire installed and submerged beneath the
surface of a permanently installed swimming pool is:
A) 12 V
,B) 24 V
C) 120 V
D) 240 V
Correct answer: B
Rationale: IRC E4203.1 limits submerged pool
luminaires to 24 V.
3. At least how many 20-ampere small-appliance
branch circuits are required in a dwelling unit
kitchen?
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
Correct answer: B
Rationale: IRC E3403.1 requires at least two 20-
ampere small-appliance branch circuits for kitchen
receptacles.
4. A 15-ampere branch circuit supplies two or more
receptacles. What is the minimum permitted ampere
rating for any individual receptacle on that circuit?
A) 10 A
,B) 15 A
C) 20 A
D) 30 A
Correct answer: B
Rationale: NFPA 70 210.21(B)(3) requires
receptacles on a 15 A branch circuit to have a rating
of 15 A.
5. What is the minimum number of 20-ampere laundry
branch circuits required in a dwelling unit?
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 0, no laundry circuit is required
Correct answer: A
Rationale: IRC E3403.2 requires at least one 20-
ampere branch circuit to supply the laundry
receptacle outlet(s).
6. The minimum number of 120-volt, 20-ampere
bathroom receptacle branch circuits required in a
dwelling unit is:
, A) 1, if only one branch circuit supplies all bathroom
receptacles
B) 2, one for each bathroom
C) 3
D) No dedicated circuit is required
Correct answer: A
Rationale: NFPA 70 210.11(C)(3) requires at least one
20 A branch circuit to supply bathroom receptacle
outlets. This circuit may supply outlets in multiple
bathrooms and no other outlets.
7. A dwelling has a total connected lighting load of
5,000 VA. The total receptacle load is 6,000 VA. What
is the net computed load for the general lighting and
receptacles after applying the demand factor
permitted by the IRC?
A) 8,000 VA
B) 9,000 VA
C) 10,000 VA
D) 11,000 VA
Correct answer: A
Rationale: IRC Table E3402.2 permits a demand
factor of 100% of the first 3,000 VA and 35% of the
remaining load. Total lighting and receptacle load is
