Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) Demolition Class
B Contractor Exam Comprehensive 400-
Question Practice Test for 2026/2027
Exam Overview
The Philadelphia Demolition Class B Contractor Exam is administered by the
International Code Council (ICC) on behalf of the City of Philadelphia's
Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I). This exam is a mandatory
requirement for obtaining a Class B Demolition Contractor License, which
authorizes contractors to perform medium-scale demolition work within the
city.
Exam Structure and Scope
The Class B license covers the complete demolition of buildings that meet all
of the following criteria:
No more than three stories in height
Maximum height of 40 feet
Maximum lot space of 10,000 square feet
Buildings exceeding any of these thresholds are classified as "Major
Buildings" and require a Class A license.
Reference Materials
The exam tests knowledge derived from the following publications:
2021 Philadelphia Code and the 2021 ICC family of codes (for exams taken on
or after March 15, 2026)
OSHA 29 CFR 1926 (Construction Industry Regulations)
OSHA 29 CFR 1910 (General Industry Standards)
,OSHA 29 CFR 1904 (Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries)
Key Knowledge Areas
The exam covers:
Code Compliance: Philadelphia Code Title 4 (Building and Occupancy Code),
Chapter 33 (Safeguards During Construction)
Adjacent Property Protection: Requirements for protecting adjoining
properties during demolition
Debris Recycling: The mandatory 50% C&D debris recycling requirement
Safety Training: OSHA 30 certification requirements for supervisors
Insurance and Bonding: Minimum coverage requirements and bonding
Permit Types: Distinctions between Make Safe Permits and full demolition
permits
Asbestos and Lead Abatement: Inspection and handling requirements
Excavation Regulations: Depth thresholds triggering excavation contractor
licensing
Licensing Requirements
To obtain a Class B Demolition Contractor license, candidates must:
Pass the ICC-administered examination
Provide proof of OSHA 30 Construction Safety and Health training for
supervisory employees (completed within 5 years)
Maintain minimum insurance coverage:
General liability: $2,000,000 for demolition operations
Automobile liability: $300,000
,Workers' compensation: $100,000 per accident, $100,000 per employee,
$500,000 policy limit
Provide a surety bond from a company with a certificate of authority in
Pennsylvania
Be current on all City of Philadelphia taxes
COMPREHENSIVE 400-QUESTION PRACTICE EXAM
SECTION 1: LICENSING SCOPE AND
CLASSIFICATION (100 Questions)
Question 1: What is the maximum height for a building to qualify for Class B
demolition?
A) 30 feet
B) 40 feet
C) 50 feet
D) 60 feet
Answer: B
Rationale: Buildings not designated as Major Buildings and intended for
Class B demolition must be no more than 40 feet in height. The 40-foot
demarcation is a key threshold between Class B and Class A licensing. Option
A (30 feet) is incorrect as this is a lower, arbitrary limit. Options C and D
would require Class A licensing as they exceed the 40-foot threshold.
Question 2: What defines a "Major Building" according to the Philadelphia
Administrative Code?
A) Buildings taller than 5 stories
B) Buildings with a total area of more than 20,000 square feet
C) Buildings that are more than 3 stories high, more than 40 feet tall, or cover
10,000 square feet or more
D) All buildings in the commercial district
Answer: C
Rationale: A Major Building is specifically defined by the Philadelphia Code
as exceeding 3 stories, 40 feet in height, OR 10,000 square feet of lot space.
, Meeting any one of these thresholds classifies the structure as Major, which
generally requires a Class A license. Options A and B are incorrect
definitions, and D is not a code definition.
Question 3: A client requests a bid to demolish a single-story warehouse that
is 35 feet tall and covers 9,500 square feet of lot space. Is this within the scope
of a Class B Demolition Contractor license?
A) No, the height exceeds 30 feet
B) Yes, because it is under 3 stories and under 40 feet
C) No, because the square footage is within 500 feet of 10,000
D) Yes, but only with a structural engineer's approval
Answer: B
Rationale: The building meets all Class B criteria: under 3 stories (1), under
40 feet (35), and under 10,000 square feet (9,500). The fact that it is close to
the threshold does not disqualify it. Option A is incorrect because the height
limit is 40 feet, not 30. Options C and D impose additional requirements not
specified in code.
Question 4: The lot space threshold for Class B demolition is less than:
A) 5,000 square feet
B) 7,500 square feet
C) 10,000 square feet
D) 15,000 square feet
Answer: C
Rationale: The Class B demolition threshold for lot space coverage is 10,000
square feet. Buildings covering 10,000 square feet or more are Major
Buildings requiring Class A licensing. Options A, B, and D represent incorrect
thresholds.
Question 5: A mixed-use building is 2 stories tall, 35 feet high, and occupies
8,000 square feet. Which license is required?
A) Class A only
B) Class B only
C) Either Class A or Class B
D) No demolition license is required
Answer: B
Rationale: The building meets all Class B criteria: 2 stories (<3), 35 feet (<40),
8,000 square feet (<10,000). A Class B license is sufficient. Option A would be
B Contractor Exam Comprehensive 400-
Question Practice Test for 2026/2027
Exam Overview
The Philadelphia Demolition Class B Contractor Exam is administered by the
International Code Council (ICC) on behalf of the City of Philadelphia's
Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I). This exam is a mandatory
requirement for obtaining a Class B Demolition Contractor License, which
authorizes contractors to perform medium-scale demolition work within the
city.
Exam Structure and Scope
The Class B license covers the complete demolition of buildings that meet all
of the following criteria:
No more than three stories in height
Maximum height of 40 feet
Maximum lot space of 10,000 square feet
Buildings exceeding any of these thresholds are classified as "Major
Buildings" and require a Class A license.
Reference Materials
The exam tests knowledge derived from the following publications:
2021 Philadelphia Code and the 2021 ICC family of codes (for exams taken on
or after March 15, 2026)
OSHA 29 CFR 1926 (Construction Industry Regulations)
OSHA 29 CFR 1910 (General Industry Standards)
,OSHA 29 CFR 1904 (Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries)
Key Knowledge Areas
The exam covers:
Code Compliance: Philadelphia Code Title 4 (Building and Occupancy Code),
Chapter 33 (Safeguards During Construction)
Adjacent Property Protection: Requirements for protecting adjoining
properties during demolition
Debris Recycling: The mandatory 50% C&D debris recycling requirement
Safety Training: OSHA 30 certification requirements for supervisors
Insurance and Bonding: Minimum coverage requirements and bonding
Permit Types: Distinctions between Make Safe Permits and full demolition
permits
Asbestos and Lead Abatement: Inspection and handling requirements
Excavation Regulations: Depth thresholds triggering excavation contractor
licensing
Licensing Requirements
To obtain a Class B Demolition Contractor license, candidates must:
Pass the ICC-administered examination
Provide proof of OSHA 30 Construction Safety and Health training for
supervisory employees (completed within 5 years)
Maintain minimum insurance coverage:
General liability: $2,000,000 for demolition operations
Automobile liability: $300,000
,Workers' compensation: $100,000 per accident, $100,000 per employee,
$500,000 policy limit
Provide a surety bond from a company with a certificate of authority in
Pennsylvania
Be current on all City of Philadelphia taxes
COMPREHENSIVE 400-QUESTION PRACTICE EXAM
SECTION 1: LICENSING SCOPE AND
CLASSIFICATION (100 Questions)
Question 1: What is the maximum height for a building to qualify for Class B
demolition?
A) 30 feet
B) 40 feet
C) 50 feet
D) 60 feet
Answer: B
Rationale: Buildings not designated as Major Buildings and intended for
Class B demolition must be no more than 40 feet in height. The 40-foot
demarcation is a key threshold between Class B and Class A licensing. Option
A (30 feet) is incorrect as this is a lower, arbitrary limit. Options C and D
would require Class A licensing as they exceed the 40-foot threshold.
Question 2: What defines a "Major Building" according to the Philadelphia
Administrative Code?
A) Buildings taller than 5 stories
B) Buildings with a total area of more than 20,000 square feet
C) Buildings that are more than 3 stories high, more than 40 feet tall, or cover
10,000 square feet or more
D) All buildings in the commercial district
Answer: C
Rationale: A Major Building is specifically defined by the Philadelphia Code
as exceeding 3 stories, 40 feet in height, OR 10,000 square feet of lot space.
, Meeting any one of these thresholds classifies the structure as Major, which
generally requires a Class A license. Options A and B are incorrect
definitions, and D is not a code definition.
Question 3: A client requests a bid to demolish a single-story warehouse that
is 35 feet tall and covers 9,500 square feet of lot space. Is this within the scope
of a Class B Demolition Contractor license?
A) No, the height exceeds 30 feet
B) Yes, because it is under 3 stories and under 40 feet
C) No, because the square footage is within 500 feet of 10,000
D) Yes, but only with a structural engineer's approval
Answer: B
Rationale: The building meets all Class B criteria: under 3 stories (1), under
40 feet (35), and under 10,000 square feet (9,500). The fact that it is close to
the threshold does not disqualify it. Option A is incorrect because the height
limit is 40 feet, not 30. Options C and D impose additional requirements not
specified in code.
Question 4: The lot space threshold for Class B demolition is less than:
A) 5,000 square feet
B) 7,500 square feet
C) 10,000 square feet
D) 15,000 square feet
Answer: C
Rationale: The Class B demolition threshold for lot space coverage is 10,000
square feet. Buildings covering 10,000 square feet or more are Major
Buildings requiring Class A licensing. Options A, B, and D represent incorrect
thresholds.
Question 5: A mixed-use building is 2 stories tall, 35 feet high, and occupies
8,000 square feet. Which license is required?
A) Class A only
B) Class B only
C) Either Class A or Class B
D) No demolition license is required
Answer: B
Rationale: The building meets all Class B criteria: 2 stories (<3), 35 feet (<40),
8,000 square feet (<10,000). A Class B license is sufficient. Option A would be
