Page 1 of 152
ICC Residential Plans Examiner Certification Exam
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS JUST
RELEASED
ICC Residential Plans Examiner Certification Practice Questions
10 MOST-TESTED EXAM COVERAGE AREAS
1. Administrative and Plan Review Requirements — permit requirements, complete submittals,
construction documents, plan corrections, approvals, correspondence, and approved drawing
sets.
2. Site Planning and Site Conditions — site plans, setbacks, grading, drainage, property lines,
easements, flood-related conditions, and building location.
3. Architectural and Life Safety — egress, stairs, guards, handrails, emergency escape openings,
fire protection, light, ventilation, room requirements, and dwelling safety.
4. Footings, Foundations, and Structural Design — foundation systems, footings, slabs, walls,
anchorage, bearing, structural loads, and foundation drainage.
5. Wood Framing and Structural Connections — floor framing, wall framing, roof framing,
headers, beams, joists, rafters, trusses, fasteners, and connections.
6. Wall, Roof, and Building Envelope Requirements — sheathing, weather protection, flashing,
roof coverings, windows, doors, moisture control, and exterior finishes.
7. Energy Efficiency — insulation, air sealing, fenestration, thermal envelope, mechanical systems,
lighting, ducts, and energy compliance documentation.
8. Mechanical and Fuel-Gas Systems — heating, ventilation, combustion air, exhaust, equipment
clearances, ducts, chimneys, vents, and fuel-gas piping.
9. Plumbing Systems — fixtures, water supply, drainage, venting, traps, cleanouts, water heaters,
sanitary systems, and plumbing plan review.
10. Electrical Systems and Plan Coordination — service equipment, branch circuits, receptacles,
lighting, grounding, AFCI/GFCI protection, panels, and coordination with architectural plans.
1.
During residential plan review, an examiner receives drawings that do not clearly show the proposed
scope of work. What should the examiner do before approving the plans?
, Page 2 of 152
A. Approve the plans because construction details can be decided later
B. Request additional information that clearly identifies the proposed work
C. Approve the plans if the owner signs a responsibility statement
D. Allow the contractor to explain the work verbally after approval
Answer: B
Rationale: Plans must clearly communicate the proposed work. Missing information should be corrected
before approval.
2.
A proposed two-story dwelling is shown close to a property line on the submitted site plan. What should
the examiner check first?
A. The color of the exterior siding
B. The manufacturer's roofing instructions
C. The required setback from the property line
D. The interior cabinet layout
Answer: C
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Rationale: Building location must comply with applicable property-line setback requirements before
plan approval.
3.
A residential plan shows a sleeping room without a required emergency escape opening. What is the
best plans examiner response?
A. Approve the room because the home has a front entrance
B. Require a compliant emergency escape and rescue opening
C. Require two interior doors for the sleeping room
D. Allow the owner to install a smoke alarm instead
Answer: B
Rationale: Sleeping areas generally require compliant emergency escape and rescue openings where
required by the residential code.
4.
When reviewing a residential stair plan, which combination should receive the examiner's closest
attention for safe stair construction?
, Page 4 of 152
A. Stair color, flooring material, and wall paint
B. Riser height, tread depth, width, handrails, and headroom
C. Window type, door color, and cabinet dimensions
D. Ceiling finish, insulation brand, and appliance color
Answer: B
Rationale: Stair geometry and protective features are important life-safety requirements that must be
checked during plan review.
5.
A submitted foundation plan does not show the size of the proposed footings. What should the
examiner normally request?
A. A larger kitchen layout
B. The footing dimensions and supporting design information
C. The manufacturer's window warranty
D. The electrical appliance schedule
Answer: B
ICC Residential Plans Examiner Certification Exam
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS JUST
RELEASED
ICC Residential Plans Examiner Certification Practice Questions
10 MOST-TESTED EXAM COVERAGE AREAS
1. Administrative and Plan Review Requirements — permit requirements, complete submittals,
construction documents, plan corrections, approvals, correspondence, and approved drawing
sets.
2. Site Planning and Site Conditions — site plans, setbacks, grading, drainage, property lines,
easements, flood-related conditions, and building location.
3. Architectural and Life Safety — egress, stairs, guards, handrails, emergency escape openings,
fire protection, light, ventilation, room requirements, and dwelling safety.
4. Footings, Foundations, and Structural Design — foundation systems, footings, slabs, walls,
anchorage, bearing, structural loads, and foundation drainage.
5. Wood Framing and Structural Connections — floor framing, wall framing, roof framing,
headers, beams, joists, rafters, trusses, fasteners, and connections.
6. Wall, Roof, and Building Envelope Requirements — sheathing, weather protection, flashing,
roof coverings, windows, doors, moisture control, and exterior finishes.
7. Energy Efficiency — insulation, air sealing, fenestration, thermal envelope, mechanical systems,
lighting, ducts, and energy compliance documentation.
8. Mechanical and Fuel-Gas Systems — heating, ventilation, combustion air, exhaust, equipment
clearances, ducts, chimneys, vents, and fuel-gas piping.
9. Plumbing Systems — fixtures, water supply, drainage, venting, traps, cleanouts, water heaters,
sanitary systems, and plumbing plan review.
10. Electrical Systems and Plan Coordination — service equipment, branch circuits, receptacles,
lighting, grounding, AFCI/GFCI protection, panels, and coordination with architectural plans.
1.
During residential plan review, an examiner receives drawings that do not clearly show the proposed
scope of work. What should the examiner do before approving the plans?
, Page 2 of 152
A. Approve the plans because construction details can be decided later
B. Request additional information that clearly identifies the proposed work
C. Approve the plans if the owner signs a responsibility statement
D. Allow the contractor to explain the work verbally after approval
Answer: B
Rationale: Plans must clearly communicate the proposed work. Missing information should be corrected
before approval.
2.
A proposed two-story dwelling is shown close to a property line on the submitted site plan. What should
the examiner check first?
A. The color of the exterior siding
B. The manufacturer's roofing instructions
C. The required setback from the property line
D. The interior cabinet layout
Answer: C
, Page 3 of 152
Rationale: Building location must comply with applicable property-line setback requirements before
plan approval.
3.
A residential plan shows a sleeping room without a required emergency escape opening. What is the
best plans examiner response?
A. Approve the room because the home has a front entrance
B. Require a compliant emergency escape and rescue opening
C. Require two interior doors for the sleeping room
D. Allow the owner to install a smoke alarm instead
Answer: B
Rationale: Sleeping areas generally require compliant emergency escape and rescue openings where
required by the residential code.
4.
When reviewing a residential stair plan, which combination should receive the examiner's closest
attention for safe stair construction?
, Page 4 of 152
A. Stair color, flooring material, and wall paint
B. Riser height, tread depth, width, handrails, and headroom
C. Window type, door color, and cabinet dimensions
D. Ceiling finish, insulation brand, and appliance color
Answer: B
Rationale: Stair geometry and protective features are important life-safety requirements that must be
checked during plan review.
5.
A submitted foundation plan does not show the size of the proposed footings. What should the
examiner normally request?
A. A larger kitchen layout
B. The footing dimensions and supporting design information
C. The manufacturer's window warranty
D. The electrical appliance schedule
Answer: B
