LATEST RESIDENTIAL BUILDING
INSPECTOR (B1) CERTIFICATION EXAM
OFFERED BY INTERNATIONAL CODE
COUNCIL (ICC) | Q&A WITH RATIONALES
1. A one- and two-family dwelling requires a building
permit. According to the International Residential
Code (IRC), which of the following structures is
included within the scope of a B1 Residential Building
Inspector's authority?
A) A single-family detached house
B) A townhouse of four stories in height
C) A mixed-use building with retail on the first floor
D) An apartment building with six dwelling units
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The IRC applies to one- and two-family
dwellings and townhouses not more than three
stories in height. Option A is correct; B is incorrect
because townhouses are limited to three stories; C
and D are commercial or multi-family buildings
covered by the IBC.
,2. A residential building inspector is reviewing a site
plan. The approved plan shows the house set back 20
feet from the property line. The builder has staked
the foundation at 18 feet from the property line. What
is the inspector's most appropriate action?
A) Approve the location since 18 feet is close enough
to the approved plan
B) Require the builder to move the foundation to
match the approved 20-foot setback
C) Document the discrepancy in the inspection report
but allow construction to proceed
D) Issue a stop-work order for the entire subdivision
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The building must comply with the
approved plans and local zoning ordinances. Moving
the foundation closer to the property line could
violate fire separation and zoning requirements. The
inspector must require correction.
3. The project plans for a new single-family home
were approved by the building official. The owner
now wants to make a minor change to the location of
an interior non-bearing wall. According to IRC
administrative provisions, what is required?
,A) A new building permit must be issued for the entire
house
B) The change can be made without any notification if
it is minor
C) The owner must submit revised plans for approval
before making the change
D) Only a verbal approval from the inspector is
required
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Any change to approved plans requires
submission of revised plans for review and approval
by the building official. Verbal approvals are not
sufficient, and the change cannot be made without
proper documentation.
4. During a footing inspection, the inspector notes
that the soil in the excavation is wet clay, but the
approved geotechnical report recommended a
different soil type. What should the inspector do?
A) Approve the footing if the contractor says the clay
is stable
B) Require the contractor to obtain an amended
geotechnical report or approved corrective
measures
, C) Proceed with the inspection and note the
discrepancy in the file
D) Ignore the discrepancy because the footing depth
is correct
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The building official must verify that soil
conditions match approved reports. If conditions
differ, an amended report or corrective measures are
required to ensure the foundation is adequate.
5. A contractor has finished the rough framing of a
two-story townhouse. The approved plans were not
available at the job site during the inspection. The
inspector should:
A) Proceed with the inspection based on memory of
the plans
B) Refuse to conduct the inspection until the
approved plans are available on site
C) Approve the framing if it looks correct
D) Accept a verbal summary from the contractor
instead of the plans
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The IRC requires that approved plans and
specifications be available on the job site at all times
INSPECTOR (B1) CERTIFICATION EXAM
OFFERED BY INTERNATIONAL CODE
COUNCIL (ICC) | Q&A WITH RATIONALES
1. A one- and two-family dwelling requires a building
permit. According to the International Residential
Code (IRC), which of the following structures is
included within the scope of a B1 Residential Building
Inspector's authority?
A) A single-family detached house
B) A townhouse of four stories in height
C) A mixed-use building with retail on the first floor
D) An apartment building with six dwelling units
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The IRC applies to one- and two-family
dwellings and townhouses not more than three
stories in height. Option A is correct; B is incorrect
because townhouses are limited to three stories; C
and D are commercial or multi-family buildings
covered by the IBC.
,2. A residential building inspector is reviewing a site
plan. The approved plan shows the house set back 20
feet from the property line. The builder has staked
the foundation at 18 feet from the property line. What
is the inspector's most appropriate action?
A) Approve the location since 18 feet is close enough
to the approved plan
B) Require the builder to move the foundation to
match the approved 20-foot setback
C) Document the discrepancy in the inspection report
but allow construction to proceed
D) Issue a stop-work order for the entire subdivision
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The building must comply with the
approved plans and local zoning ordinances. Moving
the foundation closer to the property line could
violate fire separation and zoning requirements. The
inspector must require correction.
3. The project plans for a new single-family home
were approved by the building official. The owner
now wants to make a minor change to the location of
an interior non-bearing wall. According to IRC
administrative provisions, what is required?
,A) A new building permit must be issued for the entire
house
B) The change can be made without any notification if
it is minor
C) The owner must submit revised plans for approval
before making the change
D) Only a verbal approval from the inspector is
required
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Any change to approved plans requires
submission of revised plans for review and approval
by the building official. Verbal approvals are not
sufficient, and the change cannot be made without
proper documentation.
4. During a footing inspection, the inspector notes
that the soil in the excavation is wet clay, but the
approved geotechnical report recommended a
different soil type. What should the inspector do?
A) Approve the footing if the contractor says the clay
is stable
B) Require the contractor to obtain an amended
geotechnical report or approved corrective
measures
, C) Proceed with the inspection and note the
discrepancy in the file
D) Ignore the discrepancy because the footing depth
is correct
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The building official must verify that soil
conditions match approved reports. If conditions
differ, an amended report or corrective measures are
required to ensure the foundation is adequate.
5. A contractor has finished the rough framing of a
two-story townhouse. The approved plans were not
available at the job site during the inspection. The
inspector should:
A) Proceed with the inspection based on memory of
the plans
B) Refuse to conduct the inspection until the
approved plans are available on site
C) Approve the framing if it looks correct
D) Accept a verbal summary from the contractor
instead of the plans
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The IRC requires that approved plans and
specifications be available on the job site at all times
