ICC Permit Technician (14) Practice Exam
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. Which of the following is the primary responsibility of a permit
technician?
A. Conducting building inspections
B. Reviewing structural calculations
C. Issuing permits and maintaining permit records
D. Designing building systems
C. Issuing permits and maintaining permit records
Rationale: Permit technicians primarily handle administrative
duties, including issuing permits, tracking applications, and
maintaining accurate records. They do not perform technical
design or inspection tasks.
2. A permit application is considered complete when it includes:
A. Only the applicant’s name and project address
B. All required forms, plans, fees, and signatures
, C. A verbal request from the owner
D. An engineer’s signature only
B. All required forms, plans, fees, and signatures
Rationale: Completeness requires all documentation, including
proper forms, construction plans, fees, and signatures, ensuring
the application can proceed to review.
3. Which code primarily governs construction permits in most U.S.
jurisdictions?
A. NFPA 101
B. International Building Code (IBC)
C. International Residential Code (IRC)
D. International Fire Code (IFC)
B. International Building Code (IBC)
Rationale: The IBC provides the basis for building regulations in
many jurisdictions, though residential structures may reference
the IRC specifically.
4. A “stop work order” is issued when:
A. Construction is completed
B. The project requires a variance
C. Work is being performed without proper permits or in violation
of codes
, D. Inspections pass successfully
C. Work is being performed without proper permits or in
violation of codes
Rationale: Stop work orders are enforcement tools to halt
construction that is unsafe, unpermitted, or non-compliant with
codes.
5. What is the purpose of a zoning review in the permit process?
A. To determine structural integrity
B. To ensure compliance with land use and zoning regulations
C. To calculate permit fees
D. To approve construction materials
B. To ensure compliance with land use and zoning regulations
Rationale: Zoning review ensures the proposed use, setbacks,
height, and other requirements meet local ordinances.
6. Which of the following is considered a standard permit type?
A. Conditional use permit
B. Building permit
C. Fireworks display permit
D. Noise variance permit
B. Building permit
Rationale: Building permits are standard for construction,
, alteration, or demolition of structures. Other permits may be
special or conditional.
7. The term “plan review” refers to:
A. Inspecting completed work
B. Reviewing construction documents for code compliance
C. Issuing a certificate of occupancy
D. Enforcing zoning violations
B. Reviewing construction documents for code compliance
Rationale: Plan review is the administrative and technical
evaluation of submitted plans to ensure they meet applicable
codes.
8. Which of the following best describes a “Certificate of
Occupancy”?
A. A permit to begin demolition
B. A document confirming a building is safe for occupancy
C. A zoning variance approval
D. An inspection report for electrical work
B. A document confirming a building is safe for occupancy
Rationale: Certificates of Occupancy confirm that construction has
been completed according to code and is safe to inhabit.
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the primary responsibility of a permit
technician?
A. Conducting building inspections
B. Reviewing structural calculations
C. Issuing permits and maintaining permit records
D. Designing building systems
C. Issuing permits and maintaining permit records
Rationale: Permit technicians primarily handle administrative
duties, including issuing permits, tracking applications, and
maintaining accurate records. They do not perform technical
design or inspection tasks.
2. A permit application is considered complete when it includes:
A. Only the applicant’s name and project address
B. All required forms, plans, fees, and signatures
, C. A verbal request from the owner
D. An engineer’s signature only
B. All required forms, plans, fees, and signatures
Rationale: Completeness requires all documentation, including
proper forms, construction plans, fees, and signatures, ensuring
the application can proceed to review.
3. Which code primarily governs construction permits in most U.S.
jurisdictions?
A. NFPA 101
B. International Building Code (IBC)
C. International Residential Code (IRC)
D. International Fire Code (IFC)
B. International Building Code (IBC)
Rationale: The IBC provides the basis for building regulations in
many jurisdictions, though residential structures may reference
the IRC specifically.
4. A “stop work order” is issued when:
A. Construction is completed
B. The project requires a variance
C. Work is being performed without proper permits or in violation
of codes
, D. Inspections pass successfully
C. Work is being performed without proper permits or in
violation of codes
Rationale: Stop work orders are enforcement tools to halt
construction that is unsafe, unpermitted, or non-compliant with
codes.
5. What is the purpose of a zoning review in the permit process?
A. To determine structural integrity
B. To ensure compliance with land use and zoning regulations
C. To calculate permit fees
D. To approve construction materials
B. To ensure compliance with land use and zoning regulations
Rationale: Zoning review ensures the proposed use, setbacks,
height, and other requirements meet local ordinances.
6. Which of the following is considered a standard permit type?
A. Conditional use permit
B. Building permit
C. Fireworks display permit
D. Noise variance permit
B. Building permit
Rationale: Building permits are standard for construction,
, alteration, or demolition of structures. Other permits may be
special or conditional.
7. The term “plan review” refers to:
A. Inspecting completed work
B. Reviewing construction documents for code compliance
C. Issuing a certificate of occupancy
D. Enforcing zoning violations
B. Reviewing construction documents for code compliance
Rationale: Plan review is the administrative and technical
evaluation of submitted plans to ensure they meet applicable
codes.
8. Which of the following best describes a “Certificate of
Occupancy”?
A. A permit to begin demolition
B. A document confirming a building is safe for occupancy
C. A zoning variance approval
D. An inspection report for electrical work
B. A document confirming a building is safe for occupancy
Rationale: Certificates of Occupancy confirm that construction has
been completed according to code and is safe to inhabit.
