PLAN EXAMINER (BUILDINGS) – EXAM PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALE 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
SECTION 1 — PLAN EXAMINATION, ADMINISTRATION & CODE APPLICATION
1. What is the principal responsibility of a NYC DOB Plan Examiner when reviewing construction
documents?
A) Determine whether plans comply with applicable codes, rules, and zoning requirements
B) Negotiate the construction contract between the owner and contractor
C) Perform all construction work shown on the drawings
D) Select the project's financing institution
Correct Answer: A) Determine whether plans comply with applicable codes, rules, and zoning
requirements
Rationale: A Plan Examiner's fundamental responsibility is regulatory and technical review. NYC DOB
describes Plan Examiners as reviewing construction, alteration, and repair plans for compliance with
applicable Construction Codes, zoning requirements, and other laws and rules. Contract negotiation,
financing, and construction execution are outside the primary plan-examination function.
2. Which professional is generally responsible for submitting construction plans to NYC DOB as the
Applicant of Record?
A) General contractor
B) Registered Design Professional
C) Property manager
D) Building tenant
Correct Answer: B) Registered Design Professional
Rationale: NYC DOB identifies the Registered Design Professional, such as a professional engineer or
registered architect, as the Applicant of Record responsible for submitting required construction
documents. The contractor may perform construction, but the filing responsibility belongs to the
designated design professional when professional filing is required.
3. What should a Plan Examiner do when submitted drawings are incomplete?
A) Approve the application conditionally
B) Ignore missing information if the project appears straightforward
C) Identify the missing information and follow the applicable incomplete-submission procedure
D) Replace the missing drawings personally
Correct Answer: C) Identify the missing information and follow the applicable incomplete-
submission procedure
,Rationale: NYC DOB explains that incomplete applications are handled through an incomplete-
submission process rather than ordinary objection review. The missing information is identified so the
applicant can provide a complete submission. A Plan Examiner should not substitute personal design
work for information that the applicant is responsible for providing.
4. What is the principal purpose of an objection issued during plan examination?
A) Increase the construction budget
B) Change the owner's design preferences
C) Replace the Applicant of Record
D) Identify a nonconforming condition that must be resolved before approval
Correct Answer: D) Identify a nonconforming condition that must be resolved before approval
Rationale: Objections communicate areas in which submitted plans do not conform to applicable
requirements. The purpose is regulatory correction, not redesign for aesthetic preference or financial
reasons. NYC DOB explains that disapproved applications receive plan-review comments or objections
that must be addressed and resolved before approval.
5. Which NYC agency is principally responsible for the Plan Examiner (Buildings) civil service
examination?
A) Department of Citywide Administrative Services
B) Fire Department of New York
C) Department of Transportation
D) Department of Environmental Protection
Correct Answer: A) Department of Citywide Administrative Services
Rationale: Exam No. 7056 is a DCAS Bureau of Examinations examination for the Plan Examiner
(Buildings) title. The Department of Buildings is the employing agency and regulatory authority for
the underlying building work, while DCAS administers the civil service examination process.
6. Which document system has historically been used by NYC DOB for certain building job filings
and application-status information?
A) Federal Register
B) Buildings Information System
C) State Education Portal
D) Property Tax Register
Correct Answer: B) Buildings Information System
Rationale: NYC DOB identifies the Buildings Information System, commonly called BIS, as a system
used in the building application process. Filing information and application status can be associated
with BIS job numbers. DOB NOW is also used for many modern electronic processes, so candidates
should distinguish the systems rather than treating them as identical.
,7. A plan examiner encounters a question involving permitted land use. Which regulatory source is
most directly relevant?
A) Plumbing Code
B) Mechanical Code
C) Zoning Resolution
D) Fuel Gas Code
Correct Answer: C) Zoning Resolution
Rationale: Land-use controls are principally established by the NYC Zoning Resolution. It establishes
zoning districts and regulations governing land use and development. Construction Codes address
building safety and construction requirements, but zoning determines whether particular uses and
development characteristics are permitted on a zoning lot.
8. Which action best demonstrates professional plan-examination practice?
A) Approving plans because the architect is well known
B) Rejecting plans based on personal preference
C) Ignoring code requirements when construction has already begun
D) Applying the applicable requirements consistently and documenting deficiencies
Correct Answer: D) Applying the applicable requirements consistently and documenting
deficiencies
Rationale: Plan examination requires objective application of laws, rules, codes, and zoning
requirements. Personal relationships or preferences should not affect determinations. Clear
documentation allows applicants to understand deficiencies and supports consistent administration
of building regulations.
9. What is a primary reason complete construction drawings are important to DOB plan
examination?
A) They allow the examiner to perform a meaningful and specific compliance review
B) They eliminate the need for permits
C) They transfer design responsibility to DOB
D) They guarantee automatic approval
Correct Answer: A) They allow the examiner to perform a meaningful and specific compliance
review
Rationale: NYC DOB states that complete drawings enable Plan Examiners to provide specific and
accurate objections and begin the review process. Completeness does not guarantee approval. The
Applicant of Record retains responsibility for submitting appropriate documents and addressing
deficiencies identified during review.
10. Which activity is most closely associated with a Plan Examiner's technical duties?
, A) Selling construction materials
B) Examining design and equipment plans for code compliance
C) Performing payroll calculations for contractors
D) Advertising real estate
Correct Answer: B) Examining design and equipment plans for code compliance
Rationale: NYC's description of the Plan Examiner position emphasizes engineering or architectural
analysis and examination of plans for construction, alteration, or repair. The role includes interpreting
codes and zoning regulations. Commercial sales, payroll administration, and real-estate marketing
are not core Plan Examiner responsibilities.
11. Which code chapter addresses means of egress in the 2022 NYC Building Code?
A) Chapter 5
B) Chapter 7
C) Chapter 10
D) Chapter 16
Correct Answer: C) Chapter 10
Rationale: The official NYC 2022 Construction Codes list identifies Chapter 10 of the Building Code as
“Means of Egress.” This area addresses the safe movement of occupants toward exits. A Plan
Examiner must distinguish egress provisions from related subjects such as structural design, fire
protection, and accessibility.
12. Which Building Code chapter addresses accessibility?
A) Chapter 6
B) Chapter 8
C) Chapter 9
D) Chapter 11
Correct Answer: D) Chapter 11
Rationale: Chapter 11 of the 2022 NYC Building Code addresses accessibility. Accessibility review is an
important component of building-plan compliance and must be considered together with applicable
requirements and referenced provisions. It should not be confused with interior finishes, fire
protection systems, or construction classification.
13. Which chapter primarily addresses structural design?
A) Chapter 16
B) Chapter 12
C) Chapter 13
D) Chapter 14
Correct Answer: A) Chapter 16
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALE 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
SECTION 1 — PLAN EXAMINATION, ADMINISTRATION & CODE APPLICATION
1. What is the principal responsibility of a NYC DOB Plan Examiner when reviewing construction
documents?
A) Determine whether plans comply with applicable codes, rules, and zoning requirements
B) Negotiate the construction contract between the owner and contractor
C) Perform all construction work shown on the drawings
D) Select the project's financing institution
Correct Answer: A) Determine whether plans comply with applicable codes, rules, and zoning
requirements
Rationale: A Plan Examiner's fundamental responsibility is regulatory and technical review. NYC DOB
describes Plan Examiners as reviewing construction, alteration, and repair plans for compliance with
applicable Construction Codes, zoning requirements, and other laws and rules. Contract negotiation,
financing, and construction execution are outside the primary plan-examination function.
2. Which professional is generally responsible for submitting construction plans to NYC DOB as the
Applicant of Record?
A) General contractor
B) Registered Design Professional
C) Property manager
D) Building tenant
Correct Answer: B) Registered Design Professional
Rationale: NYC DOB identifies the Registered Design Professional, such as a professional engineer or
registered architect, as the Applicant of Record responsible for submitting required construction
documents. The contractor may perform construction, but the filing responsibility belongs to the
designated design professional when professional filing is required.
3. What should a Plan Examiner do when submitted drawings are incomplete?
A) Approve the application conditionally
B) Ignore missing information if the project appears straightforward
C) Identify the missing information and follow the applicable incomplete-submission procedure
D) Replace the missing drawings personally
Correct Answer: C) Identify the missing information and follow the applicable incomplete-
submission procedure
,Rationale: NYC DOB explains that incomplete applications are handled through an incomplete-
submission process rather than ordinary objection review. The missing information is identified so the
applicant can provide a complete submission. A Plan Examiner should not substitute personal design
work for information that the applicant is responsible for providing.
4. What is the principal purpose of an objection issued during plan examination?
A) Increase the construction budget
B) Change the owner's design preferences
C) Replace the Applicant of Record
D) Identify a nonconforming condition that must be resolved before approval
Correct Answer: D) Identify a nonconforming condition that must be resolved before approval
Rationale: Objections communicate areas in which submitted plans do not conform to applicable
requirements. The purpose is regulatory correction, not redesign for aesthetic preference or financial
reasons. NYC DOB explains that disapproved applications receive plan-review comments or objections
that must be addressed and resolved before approval.
5. Which NYC agency is principally responsible for the Plan Examiner (Buildings) civil service
examination?
A) Department of Citywide Administrative Services
B) Fire Department of New York
C) Department of Transportation
D) Department of Environmental Protection
Correct Answer: A) Department of Citywide Administrative Services
Rationale: Exam No. 7056 is a DCAS Bureau of Examinations examination for the Plan Examiner
(Buildings) title. The Department of Buildings is the employing agency and regulatory authority for
the underlying building work, while DCAS administers the civil service examination process.
6. Which document system has historically been used by NYC DOB for certain building job filings
and application-status information?
A) Federal Register
B) Buildings Information System
C) State Education Portal
D) Property Tax Register
Correct Answer: B) Buildings Information System
Rationale: NYC DOB identifies the Buildings Information System, commonly called BIS, as a system
used in the building application process. Filing information and application status can be associated
with BIS job numbers. DOB NOW is also used for many modern electronic processes, so candidates
should distinguish the systems rather than treating them as identical.
,7. A plan examiner encounters a question involving permitted land use. Which regulatory source is
most directly relevant?
A) Plumbing Code
B) Mechanical Code
C) Zoning Resolution
D) Fuel Gas Code
Correct Answer: C) Zoning Resolution
Rationale: Land-use controls are principally established by the NYC Zoning Resolution. It establishes
zoning districts and regulations governing land use and development. Construction Codes address
building safety and construction requirements, but zoning determines whether particular uses and
development characteristics are permitted on a zoning lot.
8. Which action best demonstrates professional plan-examination practice?
A) Approving plans because the architect is well known
B) Rejecting plans based on personal preference
C) Ignoring code requirements when construction has already begun
D) Applying the applicable requirements consistently and documenting deficiencies
Correct Answer: D) Applying the applicable requirements consistently and documenting
deficiencies
Rationale: Plan examination requires objective application of laws, rules, codes, and zoning
requirements. Personal relationships or preferences should not affect determinations. Clear
documentation allows applicants to understand deficiencies and supports consistent administration
of building regulations.
9. What is a primary reason complete construction drawings are important to DOB plan
examination?
A) They allow the examiner to perform a meaningful and specific compliance review
B) They eliminate the need for permits
C) They transfer design responsibility to DOB
D) They guarantee automatic approval
Correct Answer: A) They allow the examiner to perform a meaningful and specific compliance
review
Rationale: NYC DOB states that complete drawings enable Plan Examiners to provide specific and
accurate objections and begin the review process. Completeness does not guarantee approval. The
Applicant of Record retains responsibility for submitting appropriate documents and addressing
deficiencies identified during review.
10. Which activity is most closely associated with a Plan Examiner's technical duties?
, A) Selling construction materials
B) Examining design and equipment plans for code compliance
C) Performing payroll calculations for contractors
D) Advertising real estate
Correct Answer: B) Examining design and equipment plans for code compliance
Rationale: NYC's description of the Plan Examiner position emphasizes engineering or architectural
analysis and examination of plans for construction, alteration, or repair. The role includes interpreting
codes and zoning regulations. Commercial sales, payroll administration, and real-estate marketing
are not core Plan Examiner responsibilities.
11. Which code chapter addresses means of egress in the 2022 NYC Building Code?
A) Chapter 5
B) Chapter 7
C) Chapter 10
D) Chapter 16
Correct Answer: C) Chapter 10
Rationale: The official NYC 2022 Construction Codes list identifies Chapter 10 of the Building Code as
“Means of Egress.” This area addresses the safe movement of occupants toward exits. A Plan
Examiner must distinguish egress provisions from related subjects such as structural design, fire
protection, and accessibility.
12. Which Building Code chapter addresses accessibility?
A) Chapter 6
B) Chapter 8
C) Chapter 9
D) Chapter 11
Correct Answer: D) Chapter 11
Rationale: Chapter 11 of the 2022 NYC Building Code addresses accessibility. Accessibility review is an
important component of building-plan compliance and must be considered together with applicable
requirements and referenced provisions. It should not be confused with interior finishes, fire
protection systems, or construction classification.
13. Which chapter primarily addresses structural design?
A) Chapter 16
B) Chapter 12
C) Chapter 13
D) Chapter 14
Correct Answer: A) Chapter 16
