ICC MASONRY COMPREHENSIVE
CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION 2026 FULL
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
◉ What ASTM is the standard spec for masonry cement
Answer: ASTM C 91
◉ What ASTM is the standard spec for mortar cement
Answer: ASTM C 1329
◉ High strength mortar recommended for use in reinforced
masonry below grade or in contact with the earth, as foundation and
retaining walls subject to high lateral or compressive loads;
compressive strength is 2500 psi
Answer: Type M mortar
◉ Is medium-strength mortar recommended for general use;
compressive strength is 750 psi, more flexible than S or M, which
helps to reduce cracks in the masonry units and wall.
Answer: Type N mortar
,◉ Minimum compressive strength of only about 350 psi. Very
workable, sometimes used for repair. Generally limited to interior
non-loadbearing applications.
Answer: Type O mortar
◉ Medium-high strength mortar for use in masonry where bond and
lateral strength are more important than compressive strength;
compressive strength is 1800 psi
Answer: Type S mortar
◉ What ASTM is the standard spec for mortar for unit masonry
Answer: ASTM C 270
◉ What are the Two lime types
Answer: Type N - normal
Type S - higher early plasticity and higher water retentivity
capabilities.
◉ IBC does not consider it an acceptable cement for use in
commercial buildings
Answer: Plastic Cement
◉ What ASTM Provides proportioning requirements for three
different mortars: cement line, mortar cement, and masonry cement
,Answer: ASTM C 270
◉ What type of mortar Is not permitted for use in any SFRS for any
SDC
Answer: Type O Mortar
◉ SFRS means
Answer: Seismic force resisting systems
◉ SDC
Answer: Seismic design category
◉ What types of mortar are permitted in SFRS for SDC, D, E, and F
Answer: Mortar type M & S are permitted
◉ What types of mortar are permitted in SFRS for SDCA, B, and C
Answer: Mortar types M, S, and N are all permitted
◉ What type of mortar is not permitted for use in any SFRS for any
SDC
Answer: Type O mortar is not permitted
, ◉ What type of mortar is permitted with use in glass unit masonry
Answer: Type S or M mortar can be used with glass unit masonry
◉ Specially manufactured mortar must be used for what type of
masonry
Answer: AAC masonry requires specially manufactured mortar in
thin horizontal mortar joints
◉ Horizontal mortar joints are called
Answer: Bed joints
◉ Vertical mortar joints are
Answer: Head joints
◉ Mortar must be used within how long of initially adding water to
the mix
Answer: It must be used within 2 1/2 hours of initially adding water
to the mix
◉ Can you add more water to mortar mix
Answer: Yes, but not after 2 1/2 hours
◉ What does grout do?
CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION 2026 FULL
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
◉ What ASTM is the standard spec for masonry cement
Answer: ASTM C 91
◉ What ASTM is the standard spec for mortar cement
Answer: ASTM C 1329
◉ High strength mortar recommended for use in reinforced
masonry below grade or in contact with the earth, as foundation and
retaining walls subject to high lateral or compressive loads;
compressive strength is 2500 psi
Answer: Type M mortar
◉ Is medium-strength mortar recommended for general use;
compressive strength is 750 psi, more flexible than S or M, which
helps to reduce cracks in the masonry units and wall.
Answer: Type N mortar
,◉ Minimum compressive strength of only about 350 psi. Very
workable, sometimes used for repair. Generally limited to interior
non-loadbearing applications.
Answer: Type O mortar
◉ Medium-high strength mortar for use in masonry where bond and
lateral strength are more important than compressive strength;
compressive strength is 1800 psi
Answer: Type S mortar
◉ What ASTM is the standard spec for mortar for unit masonry
Answer: ASTM C 270
◉ What are the Two lime types
Answer: Type N - normal
Type S - higher early plasticity and higher water retentivity
capabilities.
◉ IBC does not consider it an acceptable cement for use in
commercial buildings
Answer: Plastic Cement
◉ What ASTM Provides proportioning requirements for three
different mortars: cement line, mortar cement, and masonry cement
,Answer: ASTM C 270
◉ What type of mortar Is not permitted for use in any SFRS for any
SDC
Answer: Type O Mortar
◉ SFRS means
Answer: Seismic force resisting systems
◉ SDC
Answer: Seismic design category
◉ What types of mortar are permitted in SFRS for SDC, D, E, and F
Answer: Mortar type M & S are permitted
◉ What types of mortar are permitted in SFRS for SDCA, B, and C
Answer: Mortar types M, S, and N are all permitted
◉ What type of mortar is not permitted for use in any SFRS for any
SDC
Answer: Type O mortar is not permitted
, ◉ What type of mortar is permitted with use in glass unit masonry
Answer: Type S or M mortar can be used with glass unit masonry
◉ Specially manufactured mortar must be used for what type of
masonry
Answer: AAC masonry requires specially manufactured mortar in
thin horizontal mortar joints
◉ Horizontal mortar joints are called
Answer: Bed joints
◉ Vertical mortar joints are
Answer: Head joints
◉ Mortar must be used within how long of initially adding water to
the mix
Answer: It must be used within 2 1/2 hours of initially adding water
to the mix
◉ Can you add more water to mortar mix
Answer: Yes, but not after 2 1/2 hours
◉ What does grout do?
