ICC General Requirements Practice Exam 2026/2027
ICC GENERAL REQUIREMENTS PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS 2026/2027
Aligned with the International Building Code (IBC) Chapters 1 and 17, the ICC Special Inspector General Requirements
(GR) Exam Content Outline, and Standard Inspection and Testing Procedures (2026/2027 Edition)
Total Questions 150 (Sections 1-6, sequential Q1-Q150)
Question Format Multiple choice, four options (A-D), one correct answer
25% recall, 50% application, 25% analysis (scenario-based, code
Cognitive Levels
interpretation, procedural reasoning)
70% scenario-based (job-site situations, communication protocols, code
Question Style
enforcement), 30% direct knowledge
IBC Chapters 1 and 17; ICC Special Inspection Manual; AWS D1.1; AISC
Reference Standards
360; ACI 318; TMS 602; ASTM testing standards
Complete solutions with the correct choice marked [CORRECT], the answer
Solution Format
key line, and a referenced rationale
Section 1: Roles and Responsibilities
Q1. Under the International Building Code (IBC), which party is responsible for preparing the statement of
special inspections that is submitted with the construction documents as a condition for permit issuance?
A. The general contractor performing the work
B. The building official of the jurisdiction
C. The registered design professional in responsible charge [CORRECT]
D. The owner's insurance carrier
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The IBC requires the statement of special inspections to be prepared by the registered design
professional in responsible charge (RDP) and submitted with the submittal documents. The contractor submits a
statement of responsibility, and the building official enforces but does not prepare the statement. The ICC Special
Inspection Manual confirms this allocation of duties.
Q2. A special inspector identifies an out-of-tolerance misalignment in a braced frame and brings it to the
contractor's attention, but the contractor fails to correct the discrepancy before the completion of that phase of
the work. According to IBC Chapter 17, the unresolved discrepancy must then be reported to:
A. The building official and the registered design professional in responsible charge [CORRECT]
B. The owner and the contractor's project manager
C. The owner's insurance company only
D. The welding contractor and the material supplier
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: IBC Chapter 17 requires discrepancies to be brought to the immediate attention of the contractor for
correction, and if not corrected, to the attention of the building official and the RDP prior to completion of that
phase of work. The insurance carrier and suppliers have no enforcement role in the special inspection process.
ICC Special Inspector General Requirements (GR) Exam Preparation 1
,ICC General Requirements Practice Exam 2026/2027
Q3. When a special inspector arrives on a project site to perform a scheduled shift of special inspection, what
should the inspector do first according to the ICC Special Inspection Manual?
A. Begin observing work without announcing his or her presence
B. Issue correction notices to the trade contractors immediately
C. Call the building official and wait for a written work authorization
D. Check in with the contractor, review the approved plans and specifications, and identify the work
scheduled for that day [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The Special Inspection Manual describes a standard arrival protocol: the special inspector checks in with
the contractor, reviews the approved construction documents, and confirms the scope of work to be observed and
tested that day. Option A contradicts the communication protocol, option B oversteps the inspector's authority, and
option D's distractor is unnecessary because the issued permit already authorizes the inspection.
Q4. During a structural steel inspection, the special inspector observes a welder using an incorrect electrode.
The foreman asks the inspector to demonstrate the correct welding technique. How should the inspector
respond?
A. Demonstrate the technique since it saves project time
B. Decline to instruct the contractor's workers, document the non-conformance, and report it for
correction by the contractor [CORRECT]
C. Ask the building official to perform the demonstration
D. Ignore the request because welding is not part of special inspection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Special inspectors observe, verify, document, and report; they do not supervise or instruct the
contractor's workers because means and methods are the contractor's responsibility. Demonstrating technique would
blur the inspector's independent role, while ignoring the defect would violate the duty to report non-conforming
work under IBC Chapter 17.
Q5. Which of the following parties holds the authority to enforce the special inspection provisions of the IBC
on a project within its jurisdiction?
A. The special inspection agency
B. The registered design professional in responsible charge
C. The general contractor
D. The building official [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The building official is the executive officer of the department of building safety and is charged with
enforcing the code, including the IBC Chapter 17 special inspection provisions. The RDP and the inspection agency
support the quality assurance program, but statutory enforcement authority rests with the building official.
ICC Special Inspector General Requirements (GR) Exam Preparation 2
,ICC General Requirements Practice Exam 2026/2027
Q6. A project requires special inspection under IBC Chapter 17. Who is required to employ the special
inspector?
A. The general contractor, who then bills the owner for the service
B. The owner or the owner's authorized agent, other than the contractor [CORRECT]
C. The building department's in-house inspection staff
D. The subcontractor performing the special inspection scope of work
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: IBC Chapter 17 requires the owner or the owner's authorized agent, other than the contractor, to engage
one or more special inspectors. This requirement protects the independence of the inspector, since an inspector
employed by the contractor could face a conflict of interest. The building official approves the inspector's
qualifications but does not employ the inspector.
Q7. Before beginning work as a special inspector on a new project, the inspector must demonstrate
competence for the particular type of construction requiring special inspection to which party?
A. The owner
B. The general contractor
C. The building official [CORRECT]
D. The American Institute of Steel Construction
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: IBC Chapter 17 requires special inspectors to be qualified persons who demonstrate competence to the
building official for the particular type of construction requiring special inspection. Certifications such as ICC,
AWS CWI, or ACI credentials support the demonstration, but acceptance is the building official's decision.
Q8. A monthly packet of special inspection reports is transmitted at the end of each month. Which party is
responsible for reviewing the special inspection reports and approving the disposition of reported
non-conformances?
A. The special inspection agency's office manager
B. The building official
C. The registered design professional in responsible charge [CORRECT]
D. The contractor's quality control manager
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The registered design professional in responsible charge reviews and approves the special inspection
reports and the proposed disposition of non-conforming conditions, because only the RDP can judge conformance
with the design intent. The building official relies on the RDP's review, and the contractor's own QC staff cannot
approve design compliance.
ICC Special Inspector General Requirements (GR) Exam Preparation 3
, ICC General Requirements Practice Exam 2026/2027
Q9. On a project where special inspection is required, who determines how often the special inspectors are
required to submit their inspection reports?
A. The building official [CORRECT]
B. The project owner
C. The special inspection agency
D. The construction manager
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The building official has the authority to determine the frequency of special inspection report
submissions for the project. The owner pays for the service and the agency produces the reports, but the reporting
schedule is an administrative enforcement matter that rests with the building official under IBC Chapter 17.
Q10. Work on a project continues in violation of the special inspection requirements after repeated notices.
Which party has the authority to issue a stop work order?
A. The registered design professional in responsible charge
B. The building official [CORRECT]
C. The special inspector
D. The owner's construction manager
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under IBC Chapter 1, the building official has the authority to issue a written stop work order when
work is performed contrary to the code or the permit, including violations of special inspection requirements. The
special inspector and the RDP report the violation, but only the building official can legally stop the work.
Q11. A special inspector's daily report identifies non-conforming rebar spacing in a concrete shear wall. In the
normal sequence of the special inspection process, who is primarily responsible for correcting the reported
discrepancy?
A. The special inspector, by repositioning the reinforcement
B. The building official, by directing the remedy
C. The contractor, by correcting the work and then requesting re-inspection [CORRECT]
D. The registered design professional, by revising the drawings
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correction of non-conforming work is a contractor responsibility; the contractor fixes the work and the
special inspector re-inspects to verify conformance with the approved construction documents. The inspector
cannot physically correct the work without losing independence, and the RDP revises drawings only when a design
change is actually required.
ICC Special Inspector General Requirements (GR) Exam Preparation 4
ICC GENERAL REQUIREMENTS PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS 2026/2027
Aligned with the International Building Code (IBC) Chapters 1 and 17, the ICC Special Inspector General Requirements
(GR) Exam Content Outline, and Standard Inspection and Testing Procedures (2026/2027 Edition)
Total Questions 150 (Sections 1-6, sequential Q1-Q150)
Question Format Multiple choice, four options (A-D), one correct answer
25% recall, 50% application, 25% analysis (scenario-based, code
Cognitive Levels
interpretation, procedural reasoning)
70% scenario-based (job-site situations, communication protocols, code
Question Style
enforcement), 30% direct knowledge
IBC Chapters 1 and 17; ICC Special Inspection Manual; AWS D1.1; AISC
Reference Standards
360; ACI 318; TMS 602; ASTM testing standards
Complete solutions with the correct choice marked [CORRECT], the answer
Solution Format
key line, and a referenced rationale
Section 1: Roles and Responsibilities
Q1. Under the International Building Code (IBC), which party is responsible for preparing the statement of
special inspections that is submitted with the construction documents as a condition for permit issuance?
A. The general contractor performing the work
B. The building official of the jurisdiction
C. The registered design professional in responsible charge [CORRECT]
D. The owner's insurance carrier
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The IBC requires the statement of special inspections to be prepared by the registered design
professional in responsible charge (RDP) and submitted with the submittal documents. The contractor submits a
statement of responsibility, and the building official enforces but does not prepare the statement. The ICC Special
Inspection Manual confirms this allocation of duties.
Q2. A special inspector identifies an out-of-tolerance misalignment in a braced frame and brings it to the
contractor's attention, but the contractor fails to correct the discrepancy before the completion of that phase of
the work. According to IBC Chapter 17, the unresolved discrepancy must then be reported to:
A. The building official and the registered design professional in responsible charge [CORRECT]
B. The owner and the contractor's project manager
C. The owner's insurance company only
D. The welding contractor and the material supplier
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: IBC Chapter 17 requires discrepancies to be brought to the immediate attention of the contractor for
correction, and if not corrected, to the attention of the building official and the RDP prior to completion of that
phase of work. The insurance carrier and suppliers have no enforcement role in the special inspection process.
ICC Special Inspector General Requirements (GR) Exam Preparation 1
,ICC General Requirements Practice Exam 2026/2027
Q3. When a special inspector arrives on a project site to perform a scheduled shift of special inspection, what
should the inspector do first according to the ICC Special Inspection Manual?
A. Begin observing work without announcing his or her presence
B. Issue correction notices to the trade contractors immediately
C. Call the building official and wait for a written work authorization
D. Check in with the contractor, review the approved plans and specifications, and identify the work
scheduled for that day [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The Special Inspection Manual describes a standard arrival protocol: the special inspector checks in with
the contractor, reviews the approved construction documents, and confirms the scope of work to be observed and
tested that day. Option A contradicts the communication protocol, option B oversteps the inspector's authority, and
option D's distractor is unnecessary because the issued permit already authorizes the inspection.
Q4. During a structural steel inspection, the special inspector observes a welder using an incorrect electrode.
The foreman asks the inspector to demonstrate the correct welding technique. How should the inspector
respond?
A. Demonstrate the technique since it saves project time
B. Decline to instruct the contractor's workers, document the non-conformance, and report it for
correction by the contractor [CORRECT]
C. Ask the building official to perform the demonstration
D. Ignore the request because welding is not part of special inspection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Special inspectors observe, verify, document, and report; they do not supervise or instruct the
contractor's workers because means and methods are the contractor's responsibility. Demonstrating technique would
blur the inspector's independent role, while ignoring the defect would violate the duty to report non-conforming
work under IBC Chapter 17.
Q5. Which of the following parties holds the authority to enforce the special inspection provisions of the IBC
on a project within its jurisdiction?
A. The special inspection agency
B. The registered design professional in responsible charge
C. The general contractor
D. The building official [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The building official is the executive officer of the department of building safety and is charged with
enforcing the code, including the IBC Chapter 17 special inspection provisions. The RDP and the inspection agency
support the quality assurance program, but statutory enforcement authority rests with the building official.
ICC Special Inspector General Requirements (GR) Exam Preparation 2
,ICC General Requirements Practice Exam 2026/2027
Q6. A project requires special inspection under IBC Chapter 17. Who is required to employ the special
inspector?
A. The general contractor, who then bills the owner for the service
B. The owner or the owner's authorized agent, other than the contractor [CORRECT]
C. The building department's in-house inspection staff
D. The subcontractor performing the special inspection scope of work
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: IBC Chapter 17 requires the owner or the owner's authorized agent, other than the contractor, to engage
one or more special inspectors. This requirement protects the independence of the inspector, since an inspector
employed by the contractor could face a conflict of interest. The building official approves the inspector's
qualifications but does not employ the inspector.
Q7. Before beginning work as a special inspector on a new project, the inspector must demonstrate
competence for the particular type of construction requiring special inspection to which party?
A. The owner
B. The general contractor
C. The building official [CORRECT]
D. The American Institute of Steel Construction
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: IBC Chapter 17 requires special inspectors to be qualified persons who demonstrate competence to the
building official for the particular type of construction requiring special inspection. Certifications such as ICC,
AWS CWI, or ACI credentials support the demonstration, but acceptance is the building official's decision.
Q8. A monthly packet of special inspection reports is transmitted at the end of each month. Which party is
responsible for reviewing the special inspection reports and approving the disposition of reported
non-conformances?
A. The special inspection agency's office manager
B. The building official
C. The registered design professional in responsible charge [CORRECT]
D. The contractor's quality control manager
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The registered design professional in responsible charge reviews and approves the special inspection
reports and the proposed disposition of non-conforming conditions, because only the RDP can judge conformance
with the design intent. The building official relies on the RDP's review, and the contractor's own QC staff cannot
approve design compliance.
ICC Special Inspector General Requirements (GR) Exam Preparation 3
, ICC General Requirements Practice Exam 2026/2027
Q9. On a project where special inspection is required, who determines how often the special inspectors are
required to submit their inspection reports?
A. The building official [CORRECT]
B. The project owner
C. The special inspection agency
D. The construction manager
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The building official has the authority to determine the frequency of special inspection report
submissions for the project. The owner pays for the service and the agency produces the reports, but the reporting
schedule is an administrative enforcement matter that rests with the building official under IBC Chapter 17.
Q10. Work on a project continues in violation of the special inspection requirements after repeated notices.
Which party has the authority to issue a stop work order?
A. The registered design professional in responsible charge
B. The building official [CORRECT]
C. The special inspector
D. The owner's construction manager
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under IBC Chapter 1, the building official has the authority to issue a written stop work order when
work is performed contrary to the code or the permit, including violations of special inspection requirements. The
special inspector and the RDP report the violation, but only the building official can legally stop the work.
Q11. A special inspector's daily report identifies non-conforming rebar spacing in a concrete shear wall. In the
normal sequence of the special inspection process, who is primarily responsible for correcting the reported
discrepancy?
A. The special inspector, by repositioning the reinforcement
B. The building official, by directing the remedy
C. The contractor, by correcting the work and then requesting re-inspection [CORRECT]
D. The registered design professional, by revising the drawings
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correction of non-conforming work is a contractor responsibility; the contractor fixes the work and the
special inspector re-inspects to verify conformance with the approved construction documents. The inspector
cannot physically correct the work without losing independence, and the RDP revises drawings only when a design
change is actually required.
ICC Special Inspector General Requirements (GR) Exam Preparation 4
