North Carolina Plumbing Inspector Level II
Certification Exam Practice Question
**1. What is the minimum passing score required on the North Carolina Plumbing Inspector Level II
written examination administered by the Code Officials Qualification Board?**
A) 60 percent
B) 65 percent
C) 70 percent
D) 75 percent
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** All applicants must achieve a minimum passing grade of 70 percent on the written
examination administered by the Board to qualify for certification at any level .
**2. Which North Carolina state building code book is the primary reference for the Plumbing
Inspector Level II examination?**
A) North Carolina Residential Code
B) North Carolina Plumbing Code 2018 edition
C) International Fire Code
D) North Carolina Electrical Code
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The North Carolina State Building Code: Plumbing Code (2018 edition) is the primary
reference book used for the Plumbing Inspector examinations .
**3. For a Level II Plumbing Inspector certification issued on or after January 1, 2027, what type of
buildings is the inspector qualified to inspect?**
A) Only residential buildings with up to three stories
B) Commercial buildings up to four stories in height
C) Any residential or commercial building regardless of height
D) Only one-story commercial buildings
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** According to NCAC regulations, a Plumbing Inspector Level II certified on or after
January 1, 2027, is qualified to perform code-enforcement duties for commercial buildings up to four
stories in height .
**4. How many hours of continuing education are required for licensed Plumbing Code Officials in
North Carolina during each renewal cycle?**
,A) 3 hours
B) 6 hours
C) 10 hours
D) 12 hours
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Licensed Code Officials in North Carolina are required to obtain 6 hours of continuing
education every renewal cycle. Licenses must be renewed every year .
**5. A Level I Plumbing Inspector certified on or before December 31, 2026, is qualified to inspect
which types of structures?**
A) All structures until 2032 under the transitional provisions
B) Only residential buildings up to two stories
C) Only commercial buildings up to one story
D) Only buildings with no more than four dwelling units
**Answer: A**
**Rationale:** Plumbing Inspectors certified on or before December 31, 2026, are qualified to
perform duties for the types of structures described in Rule .0706 until December 31, 2032, under
transitional provisions .
**6. Who is responsible for providing a ladder if one is needed during a plumbing inspection on a
construction site?**
A) The building owner
B) The plumbing contractor
C) The inspector's employer
D) The general contractor
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** According to standard plumbing inspection practices, the plumbing contractor is
responsible for providing a ladder if one is required for access during an inspection .
**7. According to North Carolina regulations, what is one way to qualify for a Level II Plumbing
Inspector certificate?**
A) A one-year diploma in plumbing construction
B) A Class I license as a plumbing contractor with experience on two Level II buildings
C) Six months of inspection experience
D) A high school diploma with five years of construction experience
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Requirements include a Class I license as a plumbing contractor with experience on a
minimum of two Level II buildings .
,**8. If a North Carolina applicant holds a valid code official certificate from another state, what is
required for certification?**
A) No further requirements if the other state's standards are acceptable
B) Must complete the Board's prescribed short course on State Building Code rules
C) Must retake the full examination regardless of experience
D) Must have at least five years of experience in the other state
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The Board may issue a standard certificate to qualified out-of-state applicants who
successfully complete the Board's prescribed short course concerning State Building Code rules and
code enforcement administration .
**9. What is the maximum time allowed for the Plumbing Inspector Level II examination?**
A) 2 hours
B) 3 hours
C) 3.5 hours
D) 4 hours
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The Level II exam has a time limit of 3.5 hours to complete 150 questions .
**10. Which of the following is NOT listed as a qualification pathway for Level II Plumbing Inspector
certification?**
A) A four-year degree in mechanical engineering
B) A two-year degree with two years of experience
C) A high school diploma with five years of experience
D) A Class I plumbing contractor license
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The qualifications include professional engineer license, four-year degree in
mechanical engineering or related field, two-year degree with experience, Class I plumbing contractor
license, or three years of plumbing inspection experience. A high school diploma alone is not
sufficient .
**11. An applicant with a two-year degree in mechanical engineering and two years of plumbing
construction experience on Level II buildings qualifies for which level of certification?**
A) Level I only
B) Level II
C) Level III
D) Probationary Level I
, **Answer: B**
**Rationale:** A two-year degree from an accredited college in mechanical engineering or plumbing
construction with at least two years of design, construction, or inspection experience on Level II
buildings qualifies for Level II certification .
**12. Which authority is responsible for establishing and administering the Plumbing Inspector
examination in North Carolina?**
A) North Carolina Department of Health
B) North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal's Code Officials Qualification Board
C) North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
D) International Code Council
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal's Code Officials Qualification Board
(COQB) administers the examination and oversees licensing for code officials .
**13. What is the purpose of the Annual Backflow Prevention Device Testing requirement?**
A) To ensure the device is functioning to prevent contamination of potable water
B) To verify the device's color remains consistent
C) To confirm the device is still connected to electrical power
D) To check if the device has been painted
**Answer: A**
**Rationale:** Annual testing ensures the backflow prevention device is functioning properly to
prevent contamination of the potable water supply .
**14. A Level II Plumbing Inspector is qualified to inspect which of the following building types?**
A) Residential buildings with unlimited stories
B) Commercial buildings up to four stories in height
C) Any building over four stories
D) Only one-story commercial buildings
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Level II inspectors are certified for commercial buildings up to four stories in height
according to NC regulations effective after January 1, 2027 .
**15. What is one way a registered professional engineer can qualify for a Plumbing Inspector Level II
certificate?**
A) Taking a one-day training course
B) Possessing a valid professional engineer license
C) Having five years of construction experience
Certification Exam Practice Question
**1. What is the minimum passing score required on the North Carolina Plumbing Inspector Level II
written examination administered by the Code Officials Qualification Board?**
A) 60 percent
B) 65 percent
C) 70 percent
D) 75 percent
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** All applicants must achieve a minimum passing grade of 70 percent on the written
examination administered by the Board to qualify for certification at any level .
**2. Which North Carolina state building code book is the primary reference for the Plumbing
Inspector Level II examination?**
A) North Carolina Residential Code
B) North Carolina Plumbing Code 2018 edition
C) International Fire Code
D) North Carolina Electrical Code
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The North Carolina State Building Code: Plumbing Code (2018 edition) is the primary
reference book used for the Plumbing Inspector examinations .
**3. For a Level II Plumbing Inspector certification issued on or after January 1, 2027, what type of
buildings is the inspector qualified to inspect?**
A) Only residential buildings with up to three stories
B) Commercial buildings up to four stories in height
C) Any residential or commercial building regardless of height
D) Only one-story commercial buildings
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** According to NCAC regulations, a Plumbing Inspector Level II certified on or after
January 1, 2027, is qualified to perform code-enforcement duties for commercial buildings up to four
stories in height .
**4. How many hours of continuing education are required for licensed Plumbing Code Officials in
North Carolina during each renewal cycle?**
,A) 3 hours
B) 6 hours
C) 10 hours
D) 12 hours
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Licensed Code Officials in North Carolina are required to obtain 6 hours of continuing
education every renewal cycle. Licenses must be renewed every year .
**5. A Level I Plumbing Inspector certified on or before December 31, 2026, is qualified to inspect
which types of structures?**
A) All structures until 2032 under the transitional provisions
B) Only residential buildings up to two stories
C) Only commercial buildings up to one story
D) Only buildings with no more than four dwelling units
**Answer: A**
**Rationale:** Plumbing Inspectors certified on or before December 31, 2026, are qualified to
perform duties for the types of structures described in Rule .0706 until December 31, 2032, under
transitional provisions .
**6. Who is responsible for providing a ladder if one is needed during a plumbing inspection on a
construction site?**
A) The building owner
B) The plumbing contractor
C) The inspector's employer
D) The general contractor
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** According to standard plumbing inspection practices, the plumbing contractor is
responsible for providing a ladder if one is required for access during an inspection .
**7. According to North Carolina regulations, what is one way to qualify for a Level II Plumbing
Inspector certificate?**
A) A one-year diploma in plumbing construction
B) A Class I license as a plumbing contractor with experience on two Level II buildings
C) Six months of inspection experience
D) A high school diploma with five years of construction experience
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Requirements include a Class I license as a plumbing contractor with experience on a
minimum of two Level II buildings .
,**8. If a North Carolina applicant holds a valid code official certificate from another state, what is
required for certification?**
A) No further requirements if the other state's standards are acceptable
B) Must complete the Board's prescribed short course on State Building Code rules
C) Must retake the full examination regardless of experience
D) Must have at least five years of experience in the other state
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The Board may issue a standard certificate to qualified out-of-state applicants who
successfully complete the Board's prescribed short course concerning State Building Code rules and
code enforcement administration .
**9. What is the maximum time allowed for the Plumbing Inspector Level II examination?**
A) 2 hours
B) 3 hours
C) 3.5 hours
D) 4 hours
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The Level II exam has a time limit of 3.5 hours to complete 150 questions .
**10. Which of the following is NOT listed as a qualification pathway for Level II Plumbing Inspector
certification?**
A) A four-year degree in mechanical engineering
B) A two-year degree with two years of experience
C) A high school diploma with five years of experience
D) A Class I plumbing contractor license
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The qualifications include professional engineer license, four-year degree in
mechanical engineering or related field, two-year degree with experience, Class I plumbing contractor
license, or three years of plumbing inspection experience. A high school diploma alone is not
sufficient .
**11. An applicant with a two-year degree in mechanical engineering and two years of plumbing
construction experience on Level II buildings qualifies for which level of certification?**
A) Level I only
B) Level II
C) Level III
D) Probationary Level I
, **Answer: B**
**Rationale:** A two-year degree from an accredited college in mechanical engineering or plumbing
construction with at least two years of design, construction, or inspection experience on Level II
buildings qualifies for Level II certification .
**12. Which authority is responsible for establishing and administering the Plumbing Inspector
examination in North Carolina?**
A) North Carolina Department of Health
B) North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal's Code Officials Qualification Board
C) North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
D) International Code Council
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal's Code Officials Qualification Board
(COQB) administers the examination and oversees licensing for code officials .
**13. What is the purpose of the Annual Backflow Prevention Device Testing requirement?**
A) To ensure the device is functioning to prevent contamination of potable water
B) To verify the device's color remains consistent
C) To confirm the device is still connected to electrical power
D) To check if the device has been painted
**Answer: A**
**Rationale:** Annual testing ensures the backflow prevention device is functioning properly to
prevent contamination of the potable water supply .
**14. A Level II Plumbing Inspector is qualified to inspect which of the following building types?**
A) Residential buildings with unlimited stories
B) Commercial buildings up to four stories in height
C) Any building over four stories
D) Only one-story commercial buildings
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Level II inspectors are certified for commercial buildings up to four stories in height
according to NC regulations effective after January 1, 2027 .
**15. What is one way a registered professional engineer can qualify for a Plumbing Inspector Level II
certificate?**
A) Taking a one-day training course
B) Possessing a valid professional engineer license
C) Having five years of construction experience
