California Building Plans Examiner (I6) Certification
Exam
Most Tested Coverage Areas (10 Numbered List)
1. Plan Review Administration and Documentation – Professional stamps,
signature requirements, deferred submittals, and permit documentation review
procedures . 1 6
2. Occupancy Classification and Mixed Occupancies – Group A, B, E, M, R, S, U
classifications, separated versus nonseparated mixed occupancy provisions,
and associated fire protection implications . 1 11
3. Allowable Height and Building Area – Table 503 base allowances, frontage
increases, sprinkler increases, and Type I through Type V construction
limitations . 11
4. Means of Egress – Exit access, exit, and exit discharge components; occupant
load calculations; number of exits; travel distance; door swing requirements;
and panic hardware thresholds . 1
5. Fire-Resistance and Exterior Wall Ratings – Table 601 and Table 602
requirements, fire separation distances, opening protectives, and penetration
firestopping . 1 11
, 6. Accessibility (CBC Chapter 11B) – Accessible routes, toilet room dimensions,
ramp slopes, parking accessibility, signage, and alteration provisions including
technically infeasible findings . 1 4 11
7. Structural Provisions and Referenced Standards – ACI 318 for concrete, AISC
360 for steel, NDS for wood, ASCE 7 load requirements, and soils report review
. 1 11
8. Residential Construction (CBC/CRC) – Smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms,
emergency escape and rescue openings, and dwelling unit separation
requirements . 5 14
9. Energy and CALGreen (Title 24 Parts 6 and 11) – Building envelope
requirements, electric-ready provisions, EV charging infrastructure, and green
building mandatory measures . 1 6 12
10. 2025 California Building Code Transition – Effective date January 1, 2026,
significant changes including battery storage, EV readiness, and all-electric
provisions . 6 7 12
California Building Plans Examiner (I6) Certification
Exam
,300 Detailed Multiple-Choice Questions with
Answers and Explained Notes
Question 1
When a plans examiner receives a set of construction documents for a new
commercial building, which of the following items is most critical to verify on the
cover sheet before proceeding with the detailed review?
A. The contractor's license number and expiration date
B. The architect's or engineer's stamp, signature, and expiration date
C. The property owner's signature and notarized authorization
D. The builder's risk insurance certificate number
Answer: B
Explanation: The plans examiner must first verify that construction documents
bear the stamp and signature of the licensed design professional responsible for
the work. California law requires that architectural and engineering plans be
prepared and stamped by appropriately licensed individuals. The contractor's
license is verified during the permitting process but is not a plan review function.
Owner signatures appear on permit applications, not necessarily on every plan
sheet. Insurance certificates are administrative documents not reviewed for code
compliance. 1 6
, Question 2
Under the California Building Code, a building that contains a Group B business
occupancy on the first floor and a Group R-2 residential occupancy on the upper
floors with no fire separation between them is classified as which type of
occupancy arrangement?
A. Separated mixed occupancy requiring a two-hour horizontal assembly
B. Accessory occupancy with the residential use subordinate to the business
C. Nonseparated mixed occupancy requiring the most restrictive fire protection
provisions
D. Multiple occupancy prohibited under all circumstances by the CBC
Answer: C
Explanation: A nonseparated mixed occupancy exists when different occupancy
groups are not separated by fire-resistance-rated construction. Under CBC
Section 508.3, the building must comply with the most restrictive fire protection
and life safety requirements applicable to any of the occupancies involved. A
separated mixed occupancy would require approved separations per Table 508.4.
Accessory occupancies are limited in area and subordinate to the main
occupancy. The CBC does permit mixed occupancies; prohibition is not accurate.
1 11
Exam
Most Tested Coverage Areas (10 Numbered List)
1. Plan Review Administration and Documentation – Professional stamps,
signature requirements, deferred submittals, and permit documentation review
procedures . 1 6
2. Occupancy Classification and Mixed Occupancies – Group A, B, E, M, R, S, U
classifications, separated versus nonseparated mixed occupancy provisions,
and associated fire protection implications . 1 11
3. Allowable Height and Building Area – Table 503 base allowances, frontage
increases, sprinkler increases, and Type I through Type V construction
limitations . 11
4. Means of Egress – Exit access, exit, and exit discharge components; occupant
load calculations; number of exits; travel distance; door swing requirements;
and panic hardware thresholds . 1
5. Fire-Resistance and Exterior Wall Ratings – Table 601 and Table 602
requirements, fire separation distances, opening protectives, and penetration
firestopping . 1 11
, 6. Accessibility (CBC Chapter 11B) – Accessible routes, toilet room dimensions,
ramp slopes, parking accessibility, signage, and alteration provisions including
technically infeasible findings . 1 4 11
7. Structural Provisions and Referenced Standards – ACI 318 for concrete, AISC
360 for steel, NDS for wood, ASCE 7 load requirements, and soils report review
. 1 11
8. Residential Construction (CBC/CRC) – Smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms,
emergency escape and rescue openings, and dwelling unit separation
requirements . 5 14
9. Energy and CALGreen (Title 24 Parts 6 and 11) – Building envelope
requirements, electric-ready provisions, EV charging infrastructure, and green
building mandatory measures . 1 6 12
10. 2025 California Building Code Transition – Effective date January 1, 2026,
significant changes including battery storage, EV readiness, and all-electric
provisions . 6 7 12
California Building Plans Examiner (I6) Certification
Exam
,300 Detailed Multiple-Choice Questions with
Answers and Explained Notes
Question 1
When a plans examiner receives a set of construction documents for a new
commercial building, which of the following items is most critical to verify on the
cover sheet before proceeding with the detailed review?
A. The contractor's license number and expiration date
B. The architect's or engineer's stamp, signature, and expiration date
C. The property owner's signature and notarized authorization
D. The builder's risk insurance certificate number
Answer: B
Explanation: The plans examiner must first verify that construction documents
bear the stamp and signature of the licensed design professional responsible for
the work. California law requires that architectural and engineering plans be
prepared and stamped by appropriately licensed individuals. The contractor's
license is verified during the permitting process but is not a plan review function.
Owner signatures appear on permit applications, not necessarily on every plan
sheet. Insurance certificates are administrative documents not reviewed for code
compliance. 1 6
, Question 2
Under the California Building Code, a building that contains a Group B business
occupancy on the first floor and a Group R-2 residential occupancy on the upper
floors with no fire separation between them is classified as which type of
occupancy arrangement?
A. Separated mixed occupancy requiring a two-hour horizontal assembly
B. Accessory occupancy with the residential use subordinate to the business
C. Nonseparated mixed occupancy requiring the most restrictive fire protection
provisions
D. Multiple occupancy prohibited under all circumstances by the CBC
Answer: C
Explanation: A nonseparated mixed occupancy exists when different occupancy
groups are not separated by fire-resistance-rated construction. Under CBC
Section 508.3, the building must comply with the most restrictive fire protection
and life safety requirements applicable to any of the occupancies involved. A
separated mixed occupancy would require approved separations per Table 508.4.
Accessory occupancies are limited in area and subordinate to the main
occupancy. The CBC does permit mixed occupancies; prohibition is not accurate.
1 11
