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ICC exam catalog: how to read an exam listing

Rafter Tie editorial teamUpdated 6 min read

The ICC exam catalog is the International Code Council's list of the certification exams it sells. Before you pay for anything, it answers the questions that cost people money when they guess: which exam this is, which code edition it uses, what you may bring, and whether you can sit it from home. This guide shows what a listing tells you and how to pick the right one. It is for a residential building inspector, so it ends on the B1.

What the catalog is and where it lives

ICC keeps its exam catalog on iccsafe.org, and sells each exam through its store. The catalog is ICC's own page, so it is the source to trust for the current state of any exam. Rafter Tie is independent of ICC and does not run the catalog or sell the exams.

Use the catalog to find the exam, then confirm the details on the store listing for that exam before you buy. Our pages quote ICC's list prices and rules as we read them. If ICC's page says something different, ICC is right.

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Public Safety and Special Construction

In a new bedroom, the only emergency escape window has a keyed sash lock, with the key hanging on a hook beside the window. What should the inspector do?

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What one listing shows

Each exam listing is built from the same few pieces of information. Read all of them before you add anything to a cart.

  • Exam title and ID. The title says what the exam covers, for example Residential Building Inspector. The short ID, for example B1, is how ICC, state rules and job postings refer to it.
  • Questions and time. The B1 listing reports 60 questions and 2 hours. That is about 2 minutes a question, which matters on an open-book exam.
  • References. The books you may bring and use during the exam. See the section below.
  • Code year. Some exams are offered on more than one edition of the code. You choose one when you buy.
  • Delivery. Whether the exam is offered with a remote proctor, at a test center, or both.
  • Price and validity. The list price per attempt. ICC says exam purchases are final and valid for 365 days. Members receive discounted exam pricing, and your own account shows your final amount.

Before you purchase, select the right title, code year, testing method and candidate name. A correct exam title does not guarantee you picked the edition you meant to.

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How exam IDs are grouped

ICC's national exam IDs follow a pattern you can use to find your way around. The letter tells you the trade and the number tells you whether the exam is residential or commercial.

  • Residential exams. B1 Residential Building Inspector, E1 Residential Electrical Inspector, M1 Residential Mechanical Inspector and P1 Residential Plumbing Inspector. These are written for one- and two-family homes and townhomes.
  • Commercial exams. B2 Commercial Building Inspector, with E2, M2 and P2 for the commercial electrical, mechanical and plumbing trades. B2 covers commercial structures of any size or occupancy.
  • Combination designations. R5 Residential Combination Inspector, C5 Commercial Combination Inspector, B5 Building Inspector and C8 Combination Inspector are not exams you buy. ICC grants each one once you hold the certifications it requires. R5, for example, needs B1, E1, M1 and P1.

So when a job posting asks for "B1 and B2", it means two separate exam purchases. When it asks for "R5", it means four residential exams passed. The B1, B2 or R5 comparison lays out each one side by side.

How to read the references list and its code year

Most ICC inspector exams are open book. The references line tells you which book the exam is written against. For the B1 that is the International Residential Code (IRC). The code year tells you which edition. ICC lists the B1 on the 2021 and 2024 editions.

Two things follow from that:

  1. Buy the exam and the book for the same edition. If you book the 2024 listing, bring the 2024 IRC. Section numbers and wording can differ between editions, so a book from the wrong year costs you time on every look-up.
  2. Check what ICC lets you bring. ICC's test-site rules cover tabs, notes and loose papers, and ICC says hardcopy books are allowed. Read the current rules before exam day. Our IRC tab list and 2021 or 2024 IRC guide help you set up the right book.

The listing names the reference. It does not teach the code, and neither does this page. You still have to learn to find the right section quickly in your own book.

Remote delivery

Not every exam is offered the same way. ICC's PRONTO system offers live remote proctoring for exams that ICC lists for remote delivery. If the listing for your exam shows remote delivery, you can sit it from home. If it does not, plan on a test center.

Remote testing needs a suitable room and equipment. ICC lists the Guardian Secure Browser, a working webcam and microphone, and a stable desk or table. In-person testing carries a separate premium that ICC says cannot be waived. The cost and scheduling guide covers the fee, booking steps and retakes, and what you can do online separates prep, the exam and state steps.

Which listing a residential building inspector buys

If you inspect one- and two-family homes and townhomes, the listing you want is B1: Residential Building Inspector. It is the usual first exam in the field, and it is the first step toward R5, B5 and C8.

Before you check out:

  1. Confirm the rule you must meet. Your state or employer may name B1, B2 or something else. Building inspector certification by state is a place to start.
  2. Pick the code year your jurisdiction expects, and have that edition of the IRC.
  3. Check the delivery method on the listing if you want to sit from home.
  4. Check the purchase window. You have 365 days from purchase to use the attempt.

The whole route, from the rule to the result, is in ICC B1 certification: exam, cost and steps.

Not sure which exam fits?

The free ICC exam picker asks three questions: what you inspect, which ICC certifications you hold and your state. It shows which exam to start with.

Once you know it is the B1, take the free 10-question check before you pay for an attempt. It scores you by outline area in minutes, with no signup, and explains every answer. The Rafter Tie course adds timed practice exams, a lesson for each area and a study plan built from your exam date.

FAQ

What is the ICC exam catalog?

It is ICC's own list of the certification exams it sells, on iccsafe.org. Each exam has a listing with its title, ID, questions, time, references, code year, delivery options and price.

What does the ICC exam ID mean?

The ID is ICC's short name for an exam, such as B1 for Residential Building Inspector or B2 for Commercial Building Inspector. Job postings and state rules use these IDs. Designations such as R5 and C8 are granted from several exams and are not bought as one.

Which ICC exam listing is the residential building inspector exam?

B1, Residential Building Inspector. The listing reports 60 questions and 2 hours, and the exam is open book.

How do I know if an ICC exam can be taken from home?

Check the delivery on that exam's catalog listing. PRONTO offers live remote proctoring for exams ICC lists for remote delivery. If yours is not listed, book a test center.

Which code year should I pick?

The one your jurisdiction or employer expects. ICC lists the B1 on the 2021 and 2024 editions. Buy the exam and the code book for the same edition.

Sources

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Facts come from the sources listed above. If something has changed, tell us and we will correct it within 2 business days.

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