ICC SOILS PACKAGED CERTIFICATION SCRIPT 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
● Information for the ICC (EC) Soils Special Inspector exam can be found in the ___. It is
updated ___.. Answer: National Certification Examination Information Bulletin every six
months
● What references are allowed to be brought to the ICC (EC) Soils Special Inspector exam?.
Answer: Geotechnical Testing, Observation, and Documentation Soils, Earthwork, and
Foundations Special Inspection Manual 2012 International Building Code 2015 ASTM
Standards as Referenced in the IBC ASTM References: (2016) D 75-14 D 422-63 (2007) D
698-12e1 D 1556-07 D 1557-12 D 2487-11 D 2488-09a D 4318-10e1 D 4718-87 (2007) D
4959-07 D 6938-10
● The ICC (EC) Soils Special Inspector exam expected range of knowledge (ERK) is divided
into content areas:. Answer: General Requirements Sampling, Classification, and Laboratory
Test Results Grading Plans and Site Preparation Fill Monitoring and Testing
● Test Method ASTM D1556 (sand cone) is applicable for soils without considerable amounts
of rock or coarse materials greater than ____ in diameter.. Answer: 1.5"
● ASTM D1556 (sand cone) is not suitable for ___, ___,or ___ soils that would deform or
compress during the excavation of the test hole.. Answer: Organic Saturated Highly plastic
● The test hole volume for a sand cone test will depend on the anticipated ___ in the soil to
be tested.. Answer: Maximum particle size
● Bulk density tests of sand will be conducted at maximum intervals of ___, when a new
batch arrives, or after any potential changes have taken place.. Answer: 14 days
● For ASTM D6938 In-Place Density and Water Content by Nuclear Methods, Procedure A
describes ___ and Procedure B describes the ___.. Answer: Direct transmission Backscatter
position
● The ratio of the mass of water contained in the pore spaces of soil or soil-aggregate to the
solid mass of particles in the materials expressed as a percentage is the ____.. Answer:
gravimetric water content
, ● The volume of water as a percent of the total volume of soil or rock material is the ___..
Answer: volumetric water content
● Standardization of the nuclear gauge shall be performed ___.. Answer: at the start of each
day's use
● Perform standardization and operation of the gauge at least ___ meters ( ___feet) away
from other gauges, large masses of water, or other items that can affect the reference count
rate.. Answer: 9 ( 30 )
● For nuclear gauge standardization, take at least ___ repetitive readings to obtain the
mean.. Answer: 4
● If, for any reason, the nuclear gauge reading becomes suspect during the day's use, you
should ____.. Answer: perform another standardization check
● For ASTM D6938 always select a test location at least ___ mm (___in) away from any
vertical mass or when tests are to be conducted in a trench within ___ mm (___in) of a vertical
project, follow the manufacturer's correction procedures.. Answer: 150 = 6 600 = 24
● If the nuclear gauge is to be used continuously or intermittently throughout the day, it is best
to leave it in the "_____" condition.. Answer: Power on
● The maximum void depth beneath the gauge shall not exceed the ___ mm = ____in. Use
___ or ___ not greater than ___mm = ___in to fill the voids.. Answer: 3 ( 1/8" ) native fines or
fine sand 3 ( 1/8" )
● The test hole for the nuclear gauge should be a minimum of ___ mm ( ___ in ) deeper than
the desired measurement.. Answer: 50 ( 2" )
● Report the density and dry density to the nearest ___ kg/m3 ( ____ lbm/ft3 ) and water
content to the nearest ___.. Answer: 1 ( 0.1 ) 0.1%
● Nuclear gauges shall be calibrated at a period not to exceed ___.. Answer: 12 months
● Measurements for water (moisture) content are taken at the surface in ___ regardless of
the mode used for density.. Answer: backscatter mode
● The two radioactive elements in the nuclear gauge are ___ and ___.. Answer: cesium
americium
● Any sample that cannot be rolled into a 1/8-inch thread should be considered ___.. Answer:
nonplastic
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
● Information for the ICC (EC) Soils Special Inspector exam can be found in the ___. It is
updated ___.. Answer: National Certification Examination Information Bulletin every six
months
● What references are allowed to be brought to the ICC (EC) Soils Special Inspector exam?.
Answer: Geotechnical Testing, Observation, and Documentation Soils, Earthwork, and
Foundations Special Inspection Manual 2012 International Building Code 2015 ASTM
Standards as Referenced in the IBC ASTM References: (2016) D 75-14 D 422-63 (2007) D
698-12e1 D 1556-07 D 1557-12 D 2487-11 D 2488-09a D 4318-10e1 D 4718-87 (2007) D
4959-07 D 6938-10
● The ICC (EC) Soils Special Inspector exam expected range of knowledge (ERK) is divided
into content areas:. Answer: General Requirements Sampling, Classification, and Laboratory
Test Results Grading Plans and Site Preparation Fill Monitoring and Testing
● Test Method ASTM D1556 (sand cone) is applicable for soils without considerable amounts
of rock or coarse materials greater than ____ in diameter.. Answer: 1.5"
● ASTM D1556 (sand cone) is not suitable for ___, ___,or ___ soils that would deform or
compress during the excavation of the test hole.. Answer: Organic Saturated Highly plastic
● The test hole volume for a sand cone test will depend on the anticipated ___ in the soil to
be tested.. Answer: Maximum particle size
● Bulk density tests of sand will be conducted at maximum intervals of ___, when a new
batch arrives, or after any potential changes have taken place.. Answer: 14 days
● For ASTM D6938 In-Place Density and Water Content by Nuclear Methods, Procedure A
describes ___ and Procedure B describes the ___.. Answer: Direct transmission Backscatter
position
● The ratio of the mass of water contained in the pore spaces of soil or soil-aggregate to the
solid mass of particles in the materials expressed as a percentage is the ____.. Answer:
gravimetric water content
, ● The volume of water as a percent of the total volume of soil or rock material is the ___..
Answer: volumetric water content
● Standardization of the nuclear gauge shall be performed ___.. Answer: at the start of each
day's use
● Perform standardization and operation of the gauge at least ___ meters ( ___feet) away
from other gauges, large masses of water, or other items that can affect the reference count
rate.. Answer: 9 ( 30 )
● For nuclear gauge standardization, take at least ___ repetitive readings to obtain the
mean.. Answer: 4
● If, for any reason, the nuclear gauge reading becomes suspect during the day's use, you
should ____.. Answer: perform another standardization check
● For ASTM D6938 always select a test location at least ___ mm (___in) away from any
vertical mass or when tests are to be conducted in a trench within ___ mm (___in) of a vertical
project, follow the manufacturer's correction procedures.. Answer: 150 = 6 600 = 24
● If the nuclear gauge is to be used continuously or intermittently throughout the day, it is best
to leave it in the "_____" condition.. Answer: Power on
● The maximum void depth beneath the gauge shall not exceed the ___ mm = ____in. Use
___ or ___ not greater than ___mm = ___in to fill the voids.. Answer: 3 ( 1/8" ) native fines or
fine sand 3 ( 1/8" )
● The test hole for the nuclear gauge should be a minimum of ___ mm ( ___ in ) deeper than
the desired measurement.. Answer: 50 ( 2" )
● Report the density and dry density to the nearest ___ kg/m3 ( ____ lbm/ft3 ) and water
content to the nearest ___.. Answer: 1 ( 0.1 ) 0.1%
● Nuclear gauges shall be calibrated at a period not to exceed ___.. Answer: 12 months
● Measurements for water (moisture) content are taken at the surface in ___ regardless of
the mode used for density.. Answer: backscatter mode
● The two radioactive elements in the nuclear gauge are ___ and ___.. Answer: cesium
americium
● Any sample that cannot be rolled into a 1/8-inch thread should be considered ___.. Answer:
nonplastic
