ICC General Requirements Practice Exam: Comprehensive
150-Question Test Bank for Special Inspector Certification
Exam Title: ICC General Requirements (GR) Special Inspector
Certification Practice Examination - Comprehensive Assessment
Covering IBC Chapter 17, Special Inspection Duties,
Responsibilities, Documentation, and Code Compliance for
Building Construction Quality Assurance
SECTION 1: ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Questions 1-35)
1. Who performs a structural observation?
A) The special inspector
B) The contractor
C) The registered design professional in responsible charge
D) The building official
Correct Answer: C) The registered design professional in responsible charge
Rationale: According to IBC 1704.5, structural observation shall be performed by the registered
design professional in responsible charge (RDP). This is a distinct duty from special inspection,
which is performed by an approved special inspector. The structural observer evaluates the
structural system during construction, while special inspectors focus on specific materials and
workmanship .
2. Who is responsible for preparing the statement of special inspections?
A) The building official
B) The contractor
C) The owner
D) The registered design professional
Correct Answer: D) The registered design professional
,Rationale: IBC 1704.3.1 requires that the registered design professional (RDP) prepare the
statement of special inspections. This document must list the type and extent of each special
inspection, the systems requiring inspection, and the materials and components that require
special inspections or tests. The RDP has the technical expertise to identify which elements of
their design require special inspection .
3. Who is responsible for reviewing and approving inspection reports?
A) The building official
B) The contractor
C) The owner
D) The registered design professional
Correct Answer: D) The registered design professional
Rationale: The registered design professional is responsible for reviewing and approving
inspection reports submitted by the special inspection agency. This oversight ensures that the
work being inspected conforms to the approved construction documents and design
specifications. The RDP must review these reports to verify that any discrepancies have been
properly addressed .
4. ICC certification exams for special inspectors are primarily based on which document?
A) ACI standards
B) International Building Code (IBC)
C) ASTM standards
D) OSHA regulations
Correct Answer: B) International Building Code (IBC)
Rationale: The ICC General Requirements (GR) exam is based on the International Building
Code (IBC), specifically Chapter 17 regarding special inspections and structural observations.
While ASTM and ACI standards may be referenced, the primary code document is the IBC. The
exam also references the Special Inspection Manual (SIM) for additional guidance .
,5. Who has the authority to give "approval to proceed" with construction?
A) The building official
B) The contractor
C) The owner
D) The registered design professional
Correct Answer: A) The building official
Rationale: The building official has the legal authority to issue permits and grant approval to
proceed with construction. This authority includes the power to approve special inspection
programs and ensure compliance with code requirements. While the RDP may provide
technical recommendations, the building official holds the final administrative authority .
6. Who responds to reports of uncorrected discrepancies?
A) The building official
B) The contractor
C) The owner
D) The registered design professional
Correct Answer: D) The registered design professional
Rationale: When a discrepancy goes uncorrected and the special inspector issues a correction
notice, the RDP must be notified and is responsible for responding. IBC 1704.2.1 requires that
the RDP be informed of unresolved nonconforming items and take appropriate action. The
RDP must evaluate the discrepancy and determine if it affects structural integrity or life safety .
7. Which of the following is NOT a task performed by a special inspector at the jobsite?
A) Verifying means and methods of construction
B) Informing the contractor of arrival
C) Instructing the contractor's workers on how to perform their job
D) Discussing discrepancies with the contractor
Correct Answer: C) Instructing the contractor's workers on how to perform their job
, Rationale: The special inspector is responsible for observing and verifying compliance with
approved plans and specifications, but they are not authorized to direct the contractor's
workforce or dictate how to perform construction work. Special inspectors cannot act as
supervisors or instruct workers on means and methods. Their role is observation and reporting,
not directing work activities .
8. What should a special inspector NOT do prior to arriving at the jobsite?
A) Attend a preconstruction meeting
B) Review the construction documents
C) Discuss frequency of reports with the building official
D) Ask questions about the project
Correct Answer: A) Attend a preconstruction meeting
Rationale: A preconstruction meeting is not typically something the special inspector attends
prior to arriving at the jobsite. These meetings are generally conducted by the contractor and
project team to coordinate construction activities. The special inspector should review
construction documents, coordinate with the building official regarding reporting
requirements, and ask questions about the project scope before beginning work .
9. A special inspector should contact the contractor immediately if which of the following
conditions is observed?
A) Concrete temperature is 80°F
B) Concrete slump is 6 inches when maximum allowed is 4 inches
C) Air content is 6% when specified
D) Steel reinforcement is not tied properly
Correct Answer: B) Concrete slump is 6 inches when maximum allowed is 4 inches
Rationale: A slump that exceeds the maximum specified by the approved construction
documents is a significant discrepancy that must be brought to the immediate attention of the
contractor. Exceeding the maximum slump affects concrete workability and can compromise
strength and durability. While both B and C represent discrepancies, slump is more time-
sensitive as it must be corrected before placement continues .
150-Question Test Bank for Special Inspector Certification
Exam Title: ICC General Requirements (GR) Special Inspector
Certification Practice Examination - Comprehensive Assessment
Covering IBC Chapter 17, Special Inspection Duties,
Responsibilities, Documentation, and Code Compliance for
Building Construction Quality Assurance
SECTION 1: ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Questions 1-35)
1. Who performs a structural observation?
A) The special inspector
B) The contractor
C) The registered design professional in responsible charge
D) The building official
Correct Answer: C) The registered design professional in responsible charge
Rationale: According to IBC 1704.5, structural observation shall be performed by the registered
design professional in responsible charge (RDP). This is a distinct duty from special inspection,
which is performed by an approved special inspector. The structural observer evaluates the
structural system during construction, while special inspectors focus on specific materials and
workmanship .
2. Who is responsible for preparing the statement of special inspections?
A) The building official
B) The contractor
C) The owner
D) The registered design professional
Correct Answer: D) The registered design professional
,Rationale: IBC 1704.3.1 requires that the registered design professional (RDP) prepare the
statement of special inspections. This document must list the type and extent of each special
inspection, the systems requiring inspection, and the materials and components that require
special inspections or tests. The RDP has the technical expertise to identify which elements of
their design require special inspection .
3. Who is responsible for reviewing and approving inspection reports?
A) The building official
B) The contractor
C) The owner
D) The registered design professional
Correct Answer: D) The registered design professional
Rationale: The registered design professional is responsible for reviewing and approving
inspection reports submitted by the special inspection agency. This oversight ensures that the
work being inspected conforms to the approved construction documents and design
specifications. The RDP must review these reports to verify that any discrepancies have been
properly addressed .
4. ICC certification exams for special inspectors are primarily based on which document?
A) ACI standards
B) International Building Code (IBC)
C) ASTM standards
D) OSHA regulations
Correct Answer: B) International Building Code (IBC)
Rationale: The ICC General Requirements (GR) exam is based on the International Building
Code (IBC), specifically Chapter 17 regarding special inspections and structural observations.
While ASTM and ACI standards may be referenced, the primary code document is the IBC. The
exam also references the Special Inspection Manual (SIM) for additional guidance .
,5. Who has the authority to give "approval to proceed" with construction?
A) The building official
B) The contractor
C) The owner
D) The registered design professional
Correct Answer: A) The building official
Rationale: The building official has the legal authority to issue permits and grant approval to
proceed with construction. This authority includes the power to approve special inspection
programs and ensure compliance with code requirements. While the RDP may provide
technical recommendations, the building official holds the final administrative authority .
6. Who responds to reports of uncorrected discrepancies?
A) The building official
B) The contractor
C) The owner
D) The registered design professional
Correct Answer: D) The registered design professional
Rationale: When a discrepancy goes uncorrected and the special inspector issues a correction
notice, the RDP must be notified and is responsible for responding. IBC 1704.2.1 requires that
the RDP be informed of unresolved nonconforming items and take appropriate action. The
RDP must evaluate the discrepancy and determine if it affects structural integrity or life safety .
7. Which of the following is NOT a task performed by a special inspector at the jobsite?
A) Verifying means and methods of construction
B) Informing the contractor of arrival
C) Instructing the contractor's workers on how to perform their job
D) Discussing discrepancies with the contractor
Correct Answer: C) Instructing the contractor's workers on how to perform their job
, Rationale: The special inspector is responsible for observing and verifying compliance with
approved plans and specifications, but they are not authorized to direct the contractor's
workforce or dictate how to perform construction work. Special inspectors cannot act as
supervisors or instruct workers on means and methods. Their role is observation and reporting,
not directing work activities .
8. What should a special inspector NOT do prior to arriving at the jobsite?
A) Attend a preconstruction meeting
B) Review the construction documents
C) Discuss frequency of reports with the building official
D) Ask questions about the project
Correct Answer: A) Attend a preconstruction meeting
Rationale: A preconstruction meeting is not typically something the special inspector attends
prior to arriving at the jobsite. These meetings are generally conducted by the contractor and
project team to coordinate construction activities. The special inspector should review
construction documents, coordinate with the building official regarding reporting
requirements, and ask questions about the project scope before beginning work .
9. A special inspector should contact the contractor immediately if which of the following
conditions is observed?
A) Concrete temperature is 80°F
B) Concrete slump is 6 inches when maximum allowed is 4 inches
C) Air content is 6% when specified
D) Steel reinforcement is not tied properly
Correct Answer: B) Concrete slump is 6 inches when maximum allowed is 4 inches
Rationale: A slump that exceeds the maximum specified by the approved construction
documents is a significant discrepancy that must be brought to the immediate attention of the
contractor. Exceeding the maximum slump affects concrete workability and can compromise
strength and durability. While both B and C represent discrepancies, slump is more time-
sensitive as it must be corrected before placement continues .
