ICC Residential Plumbing Inspector
Examination (P1) Practice Exam
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
Based on the 2024 International Residential Code (IRC)
1. What is the primary purpose of the ICC Residential Plumbing Inspector (P1)
certification?
A. To certify individuals as residential plumbing system designers
B. To evaluate competence in inspecting plumbing installations for IRC
compliance
C. To license plumbers for commercial construction work
D. To authorize plumbing contractors to install gas piping systems
Rationale: The P1 exam focuses on inspection-based competency, specifically
assessing whether candidates can verify that residential plumbing systems meet
IRC requirements .
2. How many questions are on the ICC Residential Plumbing Inspector (P1) exam,
and what is the time limit?
A. 100 questions, 3 hours
B. 60 questions, 2 hours
C. 50 questions, 2.5 hours
D. 75 questions, 3 hours
Rationale: The standard structure of the P1 exam is 60 multiple-choice questions
with a 2-hour time limit, and it is administered in an open-book format .
,3. The ICC Residential Plumbing Inspector exam is primarily based on which
chapters of the IRC?
A. Chapters 10-15
B. Chapters 20-24
C. Chapters 25-33
D. Chapters 1-5
Rationale: The exam is primarily based on IRC plumbing-related chapters 25
through 33, which cover fixtures, water distribution, drainage systems, venting,
and related inspection requirements .
4. Which three content areas have the highest weighting on the P1 exam?
A. Roofing, framing, and insulation
B. Sanitary drainage, vents, and water supply systems
C. Electrical grounding, HVAC ductwork, and fire alarms
D. Structural steel, masonry, and soils testing
Rationale: The exam content is heavily weighted toward Sanitary Drainage
(23%), Vents (22%), and Water Supply and Distribution (21%) .
5. According to the IRC, when is a plumbing or drainage system permitted to be
concealed?
A. Immediately after rough-in is complete
B. Only after it has been tested, inspected, and approved by the building official
C. As soon as the permit is issued
D. After the drywall is installed but before fixtures are set
Rationale: IRC P2503.2 states that a plumbing or drainage system shall not be
covered, concealed, or put into use until it has been tested, inspected, and
approved by the building official .
6. Who is responsible for providing test equipment, materials, and labor for
required plumbing tests?
A. The building official
B. The property owner
C. The permittee
D. The architect
, Rationale: IRC P2503.3 specifies that test equipment, materials, and labor shall
be furnished by the permittee .
7. How should a building sewer be tested according to the IRC?
A. With compressed air at 10 psi for 30 minutes
B. By filling with water and pressurizing to not less than a 10-foot head of water
for 15 minutes
C. With smoke introduced for 30 minutes
D. By visual inspection only
Rationale: IRC P2503.4 requires testing by inserting a test plug, filling the sewer
with water, and pressurizing to not less than a 10-foot head of water for at least
15 minutes .
8. A forced sewer test must be pressurized to what minimum pressure relative
to the pump rating?
A. 2 psi greater
B. 5 psi greater
C. 10 psi greater
D. 15 psi greater
Rationale: IRC P2503.4 requires the forced sewer test to consist of pressurizing
the piping to a pressure of not less than 5 psi greater than the pump rating for
at least 15 minutes .
9. What is the minimum depth of water required for a shower liner test?
A. 1 inch
B. 2 inches
C. 3 inches
D. 4 inches
Rationale: IRC P2503.6 requires the shower floor and receptor area to be filled
with potable water to a depth of not less than 2 inches measured at the
threshold .
10. How long must a shower liner hold water without evidence of leakage
during the test?
A. 10 minutes
Examination (P1) Practice Exam
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
Based on the 2024 International Residential Code (IRC)
1. What is the primary purpose of the ICC Residential Plumbing Inspector (P1)
certification?
A. To certify individuals as residential plumbing system designers
B. To evaluate competence in inspecting plumbing installations for IRC
compliance
C. To license plumbers for commercial construction work
D. To authorize plumbing contractors to install gas piping systems
Rationale: The P1 exam focuses on inspection-based competency, specifically
assessing whether candidates can verify that residential plumbing systems meet
IRC requirements .
2. How many questions are on the ICC Residential Plumbing Inspector (P1) exam,
and what is the time limit?
A. 100 questions, 3 hours
B. 60 questions, 2 hours
C. 50 questions, 2.5 hours
D. 75 questions, 3 hours
Rationale: The standard structure of the P1 exam is 60 multiple-choice questions
with a 2-hour time limit, and it is administered in an open-book format .
,3. The ICC Residential Plumbing Inspector exam is primarily based on which
chapters of the IRC?
A. Chapters 10-15
B. Chapters 20-24
C. Chapters 25-33
D. Chapters 1-5
Rationale: The exam is primarily based on IRC plumbing-related chapters 25
through 33, which cover fixtures, water distribution, drainage systems, venting,
and related inspection requirements .
4. Which three content areas have the highest weighting on the P1 exam?
A. Roofing, framing, and insulation
B. Sanitary drainage, vents, and water supply systems
C. Electrical grounding, HVAC ductwork, and fire alarms
D. Structural steel, masonry, and soils testing
Rationale: The exam content is heavily weighted toward Sanitary Drainage
(23%), Vents (22%), and Water Supply and Distribution (21%) .
5. According to the IRC, when is a plumbing or drainage system permitted to be
concealed?
A. Immediately after rough-in is complete
B. Only after it has been tested, inspected, and approved by the building official
C. As soon as the permit is issued
D. After the drywall is installed but before fixtures are set
Rationale: IRC P2503.2 states that a plumbing or drainage system shall not be
covered, concealed, or put into use until it has been tested, inspected, and
approved by the building official .
6. Who is responsible for providing test equipment, materials, and labor for
required plumbing tests?
A. The building official
B. The property owner
C. The permittee
D. The architect
, Rationale: IRC P2503.3 specifies that test equipment, materials, and labor shall
be furnished by the permittee .
7. How should a building sewer be tested according to the IRC?
A. With compressed air at 10 psi for 30 minutes
B. By filling with water and pressurizing to not less than a 10-foot head of water
for 15 minutes
C. With smoke introduced for 30 minutes
D. By visual inspection only
Rationale: IRC P2503.4 requires testing by inserting a test plug, filling the sewer
with water, and pressurizing to not less than a 10-foot head of water for at least
15 minutes .
8. A forced sewer test must be pressurized to what minimum pressure relative
to the pump rating?
A. 2 psi greater
B. 5 psi greater
C. 10 psi greater
D. 15 psi greater
Rationale: IRC P2503.4 requires the forced sewer test to consist of pressurizing
the piping to a pressure of not less than 5 psi greater than the pump rating for
at least 15 minutes .
9. What is the minimum depth of water required for a shower liner test?
A. 1 inch
B. 2 inches
C. 3 inches
D. 4 inches
Rationale: IRC P2503.6 requires the shower floor and receptor area to be filled
with potable water to a depth of not less than 2 inches measured at the
threshold .
10. How long must a shower liner hold water without evidence of leakage
during the test?
A. 10 minutes
