ICC Bolting Certification Exam Prep 2026 |
Practice Questions, Study Guide & Key
Concepts for Structural Bolting Success
ICC BOLTING CERTIFICATION EXAM PREP 2026 Practice Multiple-Choice
Questions | Study Guide & Key Concepts for Structural Bolting Success
• This guide contains exam-style questions with five answer choices (A–E), a boldly
marked correct answer, and a detailed EXPERT RATIONALE — covering every topic
on the ICC Structural Bolting Special Inspector exam, from bolt grades and
pretension values to inspection protocols, RCSC provisions, and AISC design
concepts.
• Work through each question independently before revealing the correct answer,
then study the EXPERT RATIONALE carefully — understanding the "why" behind
each answer is what builds the deep knowledge needed to pass the exam and
perform confidently on the job.
1. Which ASTM standard covers high-strength structural bolts including
grades A325 and A490 under a unified standard?
A) ASTM A307
B) ASTM A36
C) ASTM A563
D) ASTM F3125
E) ASTM F436
✓ Correct Answer: D) ASTM F3125
EXPERT RATIONALE: ASTM F3125 is the unified standard that incorporates previously
separate standards for high-strength structural bolts, including Grades A325, A490,
F1852, and F2280.
,2. What is the minimum tensile strength of an A325 bolt with a diameter of
3/4 inch?
A) 90 ksi
B) 105 ksi
C) 120 ksi
D) 150 ksi
E) 135 ksi
✓ Correct Answer: C) 120 ksi
EXPERT RATIONALE: A325 bolts with diameters up to and including 1 inch have a
minimum tensile strength of 120 ksi per ASTM F3125/A325.
3. What is the minimum tensile strength of an A490 bolt?
A) 105 ksi
B) 120 ksi
C) 135 ksi
D) 145 ksi
E) 150 ksi
✓ Correct Answer: E) 150 ksi
EXPERT RATIONALE: A490 bolts have a minimum tensile strength of 150 ksi, making
them the stronger of the two primary high-strength bolt grades.
4. Which bolt type is the tension control (TC) equivalent of an A325 bolt?
A) F2280
B) F1852
C) A307
,D) A490
E) F436
✓ Correct Answer: B) F1852
EXPERT RATIONALE: ASTM F1852 is the twist-off tension control bolt equivalent to A325.
F2280 is the TC equivalent of A490.
5. Which bolt type is the tension control (TC) equivalent of an A490 bolt?
A) F1852
B) A325
C) F2280
D) A307
E) F3125
✓ Correct Answer: C) F2280
EXPERT RATIONALE: ASTM F2280 is the twist-off tension control bolt equivalent to A490,
providing the same pretension requirements as A490.
6. A307 bolts are classified as which type of bolts?
A) Common bolts (non-high-strength)
B) High-strength tension control bolts
C) A490 equivalent bolts
D) Quenched and tempered alloy steel bolts
E) Direct tension indicator bolts
✓ Correct Answer: A) Common bolts (non-high-strength)
EXPERT RATIONALE: ASTM A307 bolts are common (ordinary) bolts, not high-strength.
They are not permitted for pretensioned or slip-critical connections.
, 7. What material type are A490 bolts made from?
A) Low-carbon steel
B) Medium-carbon steel
C) Alloy steel, quenched and tempered
D) Stainless steel
E) Galvanized carbon steel
✓ Correct Answer: C) Alloy steel, quenched and tempered
EXPERT RATIONALE: A490 bolts are manufactured from alloy steel that is quenched and
tempered, giving them their 150 ksi minimum tensile strength.
8. Can A490 bolts be hot-dip galvanized?
A) Yes, always
B) Yes, but only for outdoor use
C) Yes, with engineer approval
D) Yes, if regalvanized after threading
E) No, A490 bolts shall not be hot-dip galvanized
✓ Correct Answer: E) No, A490 bolts shall not be hot-dip galvanized
EXPERT RATIONALE: A490 bolts must not be hot-dip galvanized because the process can
cause hydrogen embrittlement in high-strength steel, leading to sudden brittle fracture.
9. Which correctly identifies the head marking of an A325 Type 1 bolt?
A) Three radial lines on the bolt head
B) The letters "A325" or manufacturer's mark with no additional radial lines
C) Two radial lines on the bolt head
Practice Questions, Study Guide & Key
Concepts for Structural Bolting Success
ICC BOLTING CERTIFICATION EXAM PREP 2026 Practice Multiple-Choice
Questions | Study Guide & Key Concepts for Structural Bolting Success
• This guide contains exam-style questions with five answer choices (A–E), a boldly
marked correct answer, and a detailed EXPERT RATIONALE — covering every topic
on the ICC Structural Bolting Special Inspector exam, from bolt grades and
pretension values to inspection protocols, RCSC provisions, and AISC design
concepts.
• Work through each question independently before revealing the correct answer,
then study the EXPERT RATIONALE carefully — understanding the "why" behind
each answer is what builds the deep knowledge needed to pass the exam and
perform confidently on the job.
1. Which ASTM standard covers high-strength structural bolts including
grades A325 and A490 under a unified standard?
A) ASTM A307
B) ASTM A36
C) ASTM A563
D) ASTM F3125
E) ASTM F436
✓ Correct Answer: D) ASTM F3125
EXPERT RATIONALE: ASTM F3125 is the unified standard that incorporates previously
separate standards for high-strength structural bolts, including Grades A325, A490,
F1852, and F2280.
,2. What is the minimum tensile strength of an A325 bolt with a diameter of
3/4 inch?
A) 90 ksi
B) 105 ksi
C) 120 ksi
D) 150 ksi
E) 135 ksi
✓ Correct Answer: C) 120 ksi
EXPERT RATIONALE: A325 bolts with diameters up to and including 1 inch have a
minimum tensile strength of 120 ksi per ASTM F3125/A325.
3. What is the minimum tensile strength of an A490 bolt?
A) 105 ksi
B) 120 ksi
C) 135 ksi
D) 145 ksi
E) 150 ksi
✓ Correct Answer: E) 150 ksi
EXPERT RATIONALE: A490 bolts have a minimum tensile strength of 150 ksi, making
them the stronger of the two primary high-strength bolt grades.
4. Which bolt type is the tension control (TC) equivalent of an A325 bolt?
A) F2280
B) F1852
C) A307
,D) A490
E) F436
✓ Correct Answer: B) F1852
EXPERT RATIONALE: ASTM F1852 is the twist-off tension control bolt equivalent to A325.
F2280 is the TC equivalent of A490.
5. Which bolt type is the tension control (TC) equivalent of an A490 bolt?
A) F1852
B) A325
C) F2280
D) A307
E) F3125
✓ Correct Answer: C) F2280
EXPERT RATIONALE: ASTM F2280 is the twist-off tension control bolt equivalent to A490,
providing the same pretension requirements as A490.
6. A307 bolts are classified as which type of bolts?
A) Common bolts (non-high-strength)
B) High-strength tension control bolts
C) A490 equivalent bolts
D) Quenched and tempered alloy steel bolts
E) Direct tension indicator bolts
✓ Correct Answer: A) Common bolts (non-high-strength)
EXPERT RATIONALE: ASTM A307 bolts are common (ordinary) bolts, not high-strength.
They are not permitted for pretensioned or slip-critical connections.
, 7. What material type are A490 bolts made from?
A) Low-carbon steel
B) Medium-carbon steel
C) Alloy steel, quenched and tempered
D) Stainless steel
E) Galvanized carbon steel
✓ Correct Answer: C) Alloy steel, quenched and tempered
EXPERT RATIONALE: A490 bolts are manufactured from alloy steel that is quenched and
tempered, giving them their 150 ksi minimum tensile strength.
8. Can A490 bolts be hot-dip galvanized?
A) Yes, always
B) Yes, but only for outdoor use
C) Yes, with engineer approval
D) Yes, if regalvanized after threading
E) No, A490 bolts shall not be hot-dip galvanized
✓ Correct Answer: E) No, A490 bolts shall not be hot-dip galvanized
EXPERT RATIONALE: A490 bolts must not be hot-dip galvanized because the process can
cause hydrogen embrittlement in high-strength steel, leading to sudden brittle fracture.
9. Which correctly identifies the head marking of an A325 Type 1 bolt?
A) Three radial lines on the bolt head
B) The letters "A325" or manufacturer's mark with no additional radial lines
C) Two radial lines on the bolt head
