ICC GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (GR) EXAM 2026/2027: THE 350-
QUESTION ULTIMATE STUDY GUIDE WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
AND TOP-SCORE STRATEGIES
1. What is the primary function of the International Code Council
(ICC)?
Answer: To develop and publish model codes and standards used in the
design, build, and compliance process.
2. What specific code book is the primary reference for the General
Requirements (GR) exam?
Answer: The International Building Code (IBC).
3. What is the specific title of the IBC chapter that covers "Special
Inspections"?
Answer: Chapter 17.
4. Who is legally authorized to enforce the provisions of the building
code?
Answer: The building official.
5. Under the IBC, who is responsible for retaining the records of
required special inspections?
Answer: The building official.
,6. Which entity has the authority to modify or waive specific
requirements of the building code?
Answer: The board of appeals.
7. What is the minimum number of members required for a board of
appeals?
Answer: Three.
8. Board of appeals members must be qualified by experience and
training to pass on matters pertaining to what?
Answer: Building construction.
9. What is the time limit for filing an appeal with the board of appeals
after a decision by the building official?
Answer: As specified in the code (typically a specific number of days,
usually 20 days).
10. Who appoints the members of the board of appeals?
Answer: The appointing authority (usually the jurisdiction's chief
executive).
11. What is the purpose of the "Statement of Special Inspections"?
Answer: To identify the type and extent of required special inspections
for a project.
12. Which registered professional must prepare the Statement of
Special Inspections?
Answer: The registered design professional in responsible charge.
13. When is the Statement of Special Inspections required to be
submitted?
Answer: Prior to the issuance of the building permit.
,14. What is the specific IBC section number for the "Statement of
Special Inspections"?
Answer: IBC 1704.3.
15. The owner or owners agent must employ whom to conduct the
special inspections?
Answer: An approved inspection agency or approved inspector.
16. What does the term "approved" mean regarding inspection
agencies in the IBC?
Answer: Acceptable to the building official.
17. Are special inspectors required to provide written findings to the
building official?
Answer: Yes, they must submit written reports.
18. What is the specific IBC section number for "Who can perform
structural observation"?
Answer: IBC 1704.5.
19. Who is allowed to perform structural observation per the IBC?
Answer: A registered design professional.
20. What is the primary purpose of a "Structural Observation"
program?
Answer: To visually observe the construction for general compliance
with the design intent.
21. Who is responsible for providing the owner with a list of structural
observations required?
Answer: The registered design professional in responsible charge.
, 22. What is the specific IBC section number defining "Duties of the
Building Official"?
Answer: IBC 104.
23. When must the building official issue a certificate of occupancy?
Answer: When the building is found to be in compliance with the code.
24. Can a building official revoke a certificate of occupancy?
Answer: Yes, if issued in error or based on incorrect information.
25. What are the duties of the building official regarding code
violations?
Answer: They must issue notices of violation and take legal action if
necessary.
26. What does "Accessibility" compliance primarily deal with in the
IBC?
Answer: Ensuring buildings are accessible to individuals with
disabilities.
27. Which federal agency enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA)?
Answer: The Department of Justice (DOJ).
28. What is the primary design standard for accessible buildings in the
US?
Answer: ICC/ANSI A117.1.
29. Under the IBC, which building occupancy group requires the
strictest accessibility provisions?
Answer: All occupancies are subject to general accessibility; but
especially public accommodations (Group A, B, E, etc.).
QUESTION ULTIMATE STUDY GUIDE WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
AND TOP-SCORE STRATEGIES
1. What is the primary function of the International Code Council
(ICC)?
Answer: To develop and publish model codes and standards used in the
design, build, and compliance process.
2. What specific code book is the primary reference for the General
Requirements (GR) exam?
Answer: The International Building Code (IBC).
3. What is the specific title of the IBC chapter that covers "Special
Inspections"?
Answer: Chapter 17.
4. Who is legally authorized to enforce the provisions of the building
code?
Answer: The building official.
5. Under the IBC, who is responsible for retaining the records of
required special inspections?
Answer: The building official.
,6. Which entity has the authority to modify or waive specific
requirements of the building code?
Answer: The board of appeals.
7. What is the minimum number of members required for a board of
appeals?
Answer: Three.
8. Board of appeals members must be qualified by experience and
training to pass on matters pertaining to what?
Answer: Building construction.
9. What is the time limit for filing an appeal with the board of appeals
after a decision by the building official?
Answer: As specified in the code (typically a specific number of days,
usually 20 days).
10. Who appoints the members of the board of appeals?
Answer: The appointing authority (usually the jurisdiction's chief
executive).
11. What is the purpose of the "Statement of Special Inspections"?
Answer: To identify the type and extent of required special inspections
for a project.
12. Which registered professional must prepare the Statement of
Special Inspections?
Answer: The registered design professional in responsible charge.
13. When is the Statement of Special Inspections required to be
submitted?
Answer: Prior to the issuance of the building permit.
,14. What is the specific IBC section number for the "Statement of
Special Inspections"?
Answer: IBC 1704.3.
15. The owner or owners agent must employ whom to conduct the
special inspections?
Answer: An approved inspection agency or approved inspector.
16. What does the term "approved" mean regarding inspection
agencies in the IBC?
Answer: Acceptable to the building official.
17. Are special inspectors required to provide written findings to the
building official?
Answer: Yes, they must submit written reports.
18. What is the specific IBC section number for "Who can perform
structural observation"?
Answer: IBC 1704.5.
19. Who is allowed to perform structural observation per the IBC?
Answer: A registered design professional.
20. What is the primary purpose of a "Structural Observation"
program?
Answer: To visually observe the construction for general compliance
with the design intent.
21. Who is responsible for providing the owner with a list of structural
observations required?
Answer: The registered design professional in responsible charge.
, 22. What is the specific IBC section number defining "Duties of the
Building Official"?
Answer: IBC 104.
23. When must the building official issue a certificate of occupancy?
Answer: When the building is found to be in compliance with the code.
24. Can a building official revoke a certificate of occupancy?
Answer: Yes, if issued in error or based on incorrect information.
25. What are the duties of the building official regarding code
violations?
Answer: They must issue notices of violation and take legal action if
necessary.
26. What does "Accessibility" compliance primarily deal with in the
IBC?
Answer: Ensuring buildings are accessible to individuals with
disabilities.
27. Which federal agency enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA)?
Answer: The Department of Justice (DOJ).
28. What is the primary design standard for accessible buildings in the
US?
Answer: ICC/ANSI A117.1.
29. Under the IBC, which building occupancy group requires the
strictest accessibility provisions?
Answer: All occupancies are subject to general accessibility; but
especially public accommodations (Group A, B, E, etc.).
