PERMIT TECHNICIAN EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRRECT ANSWER WITH EXPLANATION GRADED
A+ 2026 UPDATE 100% CORRECT STUDY GUIDE
ICC Permit Technician (Exam ID 14) Practice Exam
PART 1: GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
1. When interviewing an applicant for a new construction project, what is the most important
first step for a Permit Technician?
A) Calculating the permit fee
B) Determining the project's scope of work
C) Verifying the contractor's insurance coverage
D) Scheduling the final inspection
Correct Answer: B) Determining the project's scope of work
Explanation: Identifying the project's scope allows the technician to determine which permits
(building, electrical, plumbing, etc.) are required before any other actions are taken . This is the
foundation of customer needs assessment under the General Administration content area.
2. Which of the following is NOT a typical component of a complete submittal package for a
building permit?
A) Signed owner authorization form
B) Complete set of construction drawings
C) Contractor's personal tax return
D) Proof of liability insurance
Correct Answer: C) Contractor's personal tax return
Explanation: Personal tax returns are unrelated to permit completeness. Required items include
signed owner authorization, complete drawings, and proof of insurance . The project application
,process focuses on verifying that all prerequisite approvals and required documentation are
present .
3. A contractor submits a permit application but their license expired last month. What is the
correct action?
A) Issue the permit and note the lapse for future reference
B) Approve the permit conditionally, allowing work to begin while the contractor renews the
license
C) Reject the application until the contractor provides a current license
D) Issue a temporary permit valid for 30 days
Correct Answer: C) Reject the application until the contractor provides a current license
Explanation: Valid state and local licenses are mandatory for permit issuance. An expired license
does not satisfy the requirement, and the application must be rejected until a current, valid
license is provided . This falls under verifying professional and contractor licensing .
4. What is the correct sequence for issuing a Certificate of Occupancy (CO)?
A) Final inspection → Issuance of CO → Permit issuance
B) Permit issuance → Final inspection → Issuance of CO
C) Application review → CO issuance → Final inspection
D) Permit issuance → CO issuance → Final inspection
Correct Answer: B) Permit issuance → Final inspection → Issuance of CO
Explanation: The permit is issued first, the project is built and inspected, and only after passing
the final inspection is the Certificate of Occupancy granted . This reflects the proper workflow
for permit issuance and inspections .
5. A "temporary certificate of occupancy" (TCO) is issued when:
A) The building is fully completed and occupied permanently
B) The structure is safe for limited use while final work remains pending
C) The owner requests a discount on permit fees
D) The building fails the final inspection
Correct Answer: B) The structure is safe for limited use while final work remains pending
, Explanation: A TCO allows occupancy while minor, non-critical work continues, provided life-
safety systems are functional . This is part of coordinating approvals for and preparing the
Certificate of Occupancy .
6. In a plan review, the Permit Technician notes that the structural engineer's calculations are
missing for a new steel beam. What is the appropriate response?
A) Approve the plan because the beam size is shown on the drawing
B) Request the missing calculations before proceeding with review
C) Issue a provisional permit allowing construction to start pending calculations
D) Ignore the omission if the contractor verbally assures compliance
Correct Answer: B) Request the missing calculations before proceeding with review
Explanation: Structural calculations are essential for safety; the reviewer must request them
before approving the plan . This falls under verifying content of plans and determining the need
for additional review .
7. When reviewing a submittal package, the reviewer should first verify:
A) The contractor's insurance certificate
B) That all required drawings (site, floor, elevations) are present
C) The applicant's credit score
D) The distance to the nearest fire station
Correct Answer: B) That all required drawings (site, floor, elevations) are present
Explanation: Completeness check ensures the package includes all necessary documents before
detailed review . This is part of verifying that the application and project information provided is
complete and acceptable .
8. The term "routing" in permit issuance primarily involves:
A) Sending the applicant a copy of the code book
B) Forwarding the application to relevant departments for required approvals
C) Preparing the final Certificate of Occupancy
D) Verifying contractor licensing
Correct Answer: B) Forwarding the application to relevant departments for required approvals
CORRRECT ANSWER WITH EXPLANATION GRADED
A+ 2026 UPDATE 100% CORRECT STUDY GUIDE
ICC Permit Technician (Exam ID 14) Practice Exam
PART 1: GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
1. When interviewing an applicant for a new construction project, what is the most important
first step for a Permit Technician?
A) Calculating the permit fee
B) Determining the project's scope of work
C) Verifying the contractor's insurance coverage
D) Scheduling the final inspection
Correct Answer: B) Determining the project's scope of work
Explanation: Identifying the project's scope allows the technician to determine which permits
(building, electrical, plumbing, etc.) are required before any other actions are taken . This is the
foundation of customer needs assessment under the General Administration content area.
2. Which of the following is NOT a typical component of a complete submittal package for a
building permit?
A) Signed owner authorization form
B) Complete set of construction drawings
C) Contractor's personal tax return
D) Proof of liability insurance
Correct Answer: C) Contractor's personal tax return
Explanation: Personal tax returns are unrelated to permit completeness. Required items include
signed owner authorization, complete drawings, and proof of insurance . The project application
,process focuses on verifying that all prerequisite approvals and required documentation are
present .
3. A contractor submits a permit application but their license expired last month. What is the
correct action?
A) Issue the permit and note the lapse for future reference
B) Approve the permit conditionally, allowing work to begin while the contractor renews the
license
C) Reject the application until the contractor provides a current license
D) Issue a temporary permit valid for 30 days
Correct Answer: C) Reject the application until the contractor provides a current license
Explanation: Valid state and local licenses are mandatory for permit issuance. An expired license
does not satisfy the requirement, and the application must be rejected until a current, valid
license is provided . This falls under verifying professional and contractor licensing .
4. What is the correct sequence for issuing a Certificate of Occupancy (CO)?
A) Final inspection → Issuance of CO → Permit issuance
B) Permit issuance → Final inspection → Issuance of CO
C) Application review → CO issuance → Final inspection
D) Permit issuance → CO issuance → Final inspection
Correct Answer: B) Permit issuance → Final inspection → Issuance of CO
Explanation: The permit is issued first, the project is built and inspected, and only after passing
the final inspection is the Certificate of Occupancy granted . This reflects the proper workflow
for permit issuance and inspections .
5. A "temporary certificate of occupancy" (TCO) is issued when:
A) The building is fully completed and occupied permanently
B) The structure is safe for limited use while final work remains pending
C) The owner requests a discount on permit fees
D) The building fails the final inspection
Correct Answer: B) The structure is safe for limited use while final work remains pending
, Explanation: A TCO allows occupancy while minor, non-critical work continues, provided life-
safety systems are functional . This is part of coordinating approvals for and preparing the
Certificate of Occupancy .
6. In a plan review, the Permit Technician notes that the structural engineer's calculations are
missing for a new steel beam. What is the appropriate response?
A) Approve the plan because the beam size is shown on the drawing
B) Request the missing calculations before proceeding with review
C) Issue a provisional permit allowing construction to start pending calculations
D) Ignore the omission if the contractor verbally assures compliance
Correct Answer: B) Request the missing calculations before proceeding with review
Explanation: Structural calculations are essential for safety; the reviewer must request them
before approving the plan . This falls under verifying content of plans and determining the need
for additional review .
7. When reviewing a submittal package, the reviewer should first verify:
A) The contractor's insurance certificate
B) That all required drawings (site, floor, elevations) are present
C) The applicant's credit score
D) The distance to the nearest fire station
Correct Answer: B) That all required drawings (site, floor, elevations) are present
Explanation: Completeness check ensures the package includes all necessary documents before
detailed review . This is part of verifying that the application and project information provided is
complete and acceptable .
8. The term "routing" in permit issuance primarily involves:
A) Sending the applicant a copy of the code book
B) Forwarding the application to relevant departments for required approvals
C) Preparing the final Certificate of Occupancy
D) Verifying contractor licensing
Correct Answer: B) Forwarding the application to relevant departments for required approvals
