ICC SOILS PACKAGED PRACTICE EXAMINATION 2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
● Who hires the Special Inspector?
The contractor
The building official
The owner or Registered Design Professional in Responsible Charge acting as the owner's agent
The local government
Answer: The owner or Registered Design Professional in Responsible Charge acting as the owner's agent
● The Special Inspector is approved by and shall demonstrate competence to whom?
The contractor only
The Building Official and Registered Design Professional
The owner only
The insurance company
Answer: The Building Official and Registered Design Professional
● Upon arrival at a jobsite, the Special Inspector shall check in with whom?
The owner
The building official
The contractor
The project manager
Answer: The contractor
● Who does the final report go to?
The contractor
The Building Official
The owner
The insurance company
Answer: The Building Official
● After an in-place density test fails, who do you notify first? If it's not corrected, who do you inform?
1st notify owner; then inform contractor
1st notify Building Official; then inform owner
1st notify contractor; report failed action to Building Official and RDP
1st notify RDP; then inform owner
Answer: 1st notify contractor; report failed action to Building Official and RDP
● Upon job site arrival, special inspector checks in with whom?
The owner
The contractor
The Building Official
The RDP
Answer: The contractor
, ● A statement of special inspections is prepared by whom?
The contractor
The Building Official
The Registered Design Professional (RDP)
The special inspector
Answer: The Registered Design Professional (RDP)
● Verifying the proper materials, densities, and lift thicknesses during placement and compaction of compacted
fills requires what type of inspection?
Periodic inspection
Continuous inspection
Final inspection only
No inspection required
Answer: Continuous inspection
● Where the classification, strength, or compressibility of soil is in doubt, or where a load-bearing value
superior to that specified by code is needed, what may the Building Official require?
Additional permits
A geotechnical evaluation
More inspectors
Different materials
Answer: A geotechnical evaluation
● When expansive soil is found during foundation design, it shall be removed to a sufficient depth to ensure
what in the remaining soil?
Complete dryness
Maximum compaction
Constant moisture content
Minimum volume
Answer: Constant moisture content
● Requirements for foundation clearances from slopes shall conform to which IBC section?
Figure 1806.5
Figure 1808.7.1
Section 1810.3.2
Table 1804.2
Answer: Figure 1808.7.1
● Can grading be performed without first having something from the Building Official?
Yes, with owner approval
No, must have a permit from the Building Official
Yes, if under 10 cubic yards
Only on private property
Answer: No, must have a permit from the Building Official
● Geotechnical reports are prepared by whom?
The contractor
GRADED A+
● Who hires the Special Inspector?
The contractor
The building official
The owner or Registered Design Professional in Responsible Charge acting as the owner's agent
The local government
Answer: The owner or Registered Design Professional in Responsible Charge acting as the owner's agent
● The Special Inspector is approved by and shall demonstrate competence to whom?
The contractor only
The Building Official and Registered Design Professional
The owner only
The insurance company
Answer: The Building Official and Registered Design Professional
● Upon arrival at a jobsite, the Special Inspector shall check in with whom?
The owner
The building official
The contractor
The project manager
Answer: The contractor
● Who does the final report go to?
The contractor
The Building Official
The owner
The insurance company
Answer: The Building Official
● After an in-place density test fails, who do you notify first? If it's not corrected, who do you inform?
1st notify owner; then inform contractor
1st notify Building Official; then inform owner
1st notify contractor; report failed action to Building Official and RDP
1st notify RDP; then inform owner
Answer: 1st notify contractor; report failed action to Building Official and RDP
● Upon job site arrival, special inspector checks in with whom?
The owner
The contractor
The Building Official
The RDP
Answer: The contractor
, ● A statement of special inspections is prepared by whom?
The contractor
The Building Official
The Registered Design Professional (RDP)
The special inspector
Answer: The Registered Design Professional (RDP)
● Verifying the proper materials, densities, and lift thicknesses during placement and compaction of compacted
fills requires what type of inspection?
Periodic inspection
Continuous inspection
Final inspection only
No inspection required
Answer: Continuous inspection
● Where the classification, strength, or compressibility of soil is in doubt, or where a load-bearing value
superior to that specified by code is needed, what may the Building Official require?
Additional permits
A geotechnical evaluation
More inspectors
Different materials
Answer: A geotechnical evaluation
● When expansive soil is found during foundation design, it shall be removed to a sufficient depth to ensure
what in the remaining soil?
Complete dryness
Maximum compaction
Constant moisture content
Minimum volume
Answer: Constant moisture content
● Requirements for foundation clearances from slopes shall conform to which IBC section?
Figure 1806.5
Figure 1808.7.1
Section 1810.3.2
Table 1804.2
Answer: Figure 1808.7.1
● Can grading be performed without first having something from the Building Official?
Yes, with owner approval
No, must have a permit from the Building Official
Yes, if under 10 cubic yards
Only on private property
Answer: No, must have a permit from the Building Official
● Geotechnical reports are prepared by whom?
The contractor
