Page 1 of 57
CALIFORNIA BUILDING PLANS EXAMINER –
I6 STATE CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION 2026
COMPLETE (110) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES.
BUILDING
Prepare for the California Building Plans Examiner – I6 State Certification
Examination with practice questions covering California Building Code
provisions for accessibility, means of egress, fire-resistance-rated
construction, structural and seismic design, plan review procedures,
occupancy classifications, fire and life safety requirements, structural
considerations, accessibility standards, and permit compliance.
Designed to improve technical review skills and boost confidence in
evaluating building plans for code compliance. Suitable for plans
examiners, building officials, inspectors, and construction professionals
seeking California I6 certification.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
1. Under the California Building Code (CBC), which chapter
contains scoping provisions that identify where accessibility is
required in new construction?
A. Chapter 10
B. Chapter 11A
C. Chapter 11B
D. Chapter 7A
, Page 2 of 57
Answer: C. Chapter 11B
Rationale: CBC Chapter 11B contains accessibility scoping
and technical requirements for public buildings, public
accommodations, commercial buildings, and public
housing. Chapter 11A applies to privately funded
residential housing. The plans examiner must apply
Chapter 11B to determine where and how accessibility is
required.
2. When reviewing a set of plans, a California Building Plans
Examiner notices that the floor plan for a multi-family building
is marked “CBC Chapter 11A.” To which occupancy does this
chapter apply?
A. All R occupancies without exception
B. Privately funded multi-family dwellings
C. State-owned housing projects
D. Hotels and motels
Answer: B. Privately funded multi-family dwellings
Rationale: CBC Chapter 11A provides accessibility
requirements specifically for privately funded residential
housing projects. Chapter 11B applies to public housing,
commercial, and public accommodations. The examiner
must verify the correct chapter based on funding source
and building type.
3. A new restaurant building has an occupant load of 120.
According to the California Plumbing Code as applied in plan
review, what is the minimum number of water closets required
for each sex?
A. 1 per sex
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B. 2 per sex
C. 3 per sex
D. Determined by local ordinance only
Answer: B. 2 per sex
Rationale: Under the California Plumbing Code (Table
422.1, incorporated by CBC), for an assembly occupancy
with 120 total occupants, 2 water closets are required per
sex (1 per 75 for the first 150). The plans examiner checks
fixture counts against this table.
4. Plans for a new office building show an accessible route from
the public sidewalk to the main entrance. What is the
maximum allowed running slope for an accessible ramp unless
existing constraints require a steeper slope?
A. 1:8
B. 1:12
C. 1:20
D. 5%
Answer: B. 1:12
Rationale: The CBC Chapter 11B and ADA Standards require
the least possible slope, but maximum running slope for a
ramp is 1:12 (8.33%). A 1:20 slope is considered a sloped
walk, not a ramp. The examiner checks slope dimensions
on the plans.
5. A plans examiner is reviewing the structural drawings for a tilt-
up concrete building. The design shows roof-to-wall anchorage
with sub-diaphragms. Which part of the structural provisions
most directly requires this?
A. CBC Chapter 16 (Structural Design)
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B. CBC Chapter 19 (Concrete)
C. CBC Chapter 22 (Steel)
D. CBC Chapter 7A (Materials and Construction Methods for
Exterior Wildfire Exposure)
Answer: A. CBC Chapter 16 (Structural Design)
Rationale: The requirements for structural integrity,
including roof-to-wall anchorage and sub-diaphragms, are
found in CBC Chapter 16, which includes seismic design
and load path continuity. The plans examiner verifies that
the structural drawings show a complete load path.
6. A set of plans for a new high-rise building includes a fire
command center. The plans examiner should verify that the fire
command center complies with which code section primarily?
A. CBC Chapter 7 (Fire and Smoke Protection Features)
B. CBC Chapter 9 (Fire Protection Systems)
C. CBC Chapter 4 (Special Detailed Requirements Based on
Occupancy and Use)
D. CBC Section 911 (Fire Command Center)
Answer: D. CBC Section 911 (Fire Command Center)
Rationale: CBC Section 911 provides detailed requirements
for the fire command center, including location, size, and
equipment. The plans examiner checks compliance with
this specific section when a high-rise building requires a
command center.
7. The California Building Code defines a “high-rise building” as a
building with an occupied floor located more than how many
feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access?
A. 30 feet
CALIFORNIA BUILDING PLANS EXAMINER –
I6 STATE CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION 2026
COMPLETE (110) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES.
BUILDING
Prepare for the California Building Plans Examiner – I6 State Certification
Examination with practice questions covering California Building Code
provisions for accessibility, means of egress, fire-resistance-rated
construction, structural and seismic design, plan review procedures,
occupancy classifications, fire and life safety requirements, structural
considerations, accessibility standards, and permit compliance.
Designed to improve technical review skills and boost confidence in
evaluating building plans for code compliance. Suitable for plans
examiners, building officials, inspectors, and construction professionals
seeking California I6 certification.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
1. Under the California Building Code (CBC), which chapter
contains scoping provisions that identify where accessibility is
required in new construction?
A. Chapter 10
B. Chapter 11A
C. Chapter 11B
D. Chapter 7A
, Page 2 of 57
Answer: C. Chapter 11B
Rationale: CBC Chapter 11B contains accessibility scoping
and technical requirements for public buildings, public
accommodations, commercial buildings, and public
housing. Chapter 11A applies to privately funded
residential housing. The plans examiner must apply
Chapter 11B to determine where and how accessibility is
required.
2. When reviewing a set of plans, a California Building Plans
Examiner notices that the floor plan for a multi-family building
is marked “CBC Chapter 11A.” To which occupancy does this
chapter apply?
A. All R occupancies without exception
B. Privately funded multi-family dwellings
C. State-owned housing projects
D. Hotels and motels
Answer: B. Privately funded multi-family dwellings
Rationale: CBC Chapter 11A provides accessibility
requirements specifically for privately funded residential
housing projects. Chapter 11B applies to public housing,
commercial, and public accommodations. The examiner
must verify the correct chapter based on funding source
and building type.
3. A new restaurant building has an occupant load of 120.
According to the California Plumbing Code as applied in plan
review, what is the minimum number of water closets required
for each sex?
A. 1 per sex
, Page 3 of 57
B. 2 per sex
C. 3 per sex
D. Determined by local ordinance only
Answer: B. 2 per sex
Rationale: Under the California Plumbing Code (Table
422.1, incorporated by CBC), for an assembly occupancy
with 120 total occupants, 2 water closets are required per
sex (1 per 75 for the first 150). The plans examiner checks
fixture counts against this table.
4. Plans for a new office building show an accessible route from
the public sidewalk to the main entrance. What is the
maximum allowed running slope for an accessible ramp unless
existing constraints require a steeper slope?
A. 1:8
B. 1:12
C. 1:20
D. 5%
Answer: B. 1:12
Rationale: The CBC Chapter 11B and ADA Standards require
the least possible slope, but maximum running slope for a
ramp is 1:12 (8.33%). A 1:20 slope is considered a sloped
walk, not a ramp. The examiner checks slope dimensions
on the plans.
5. A plans examiner is reviewing the structural drawings for a tilt-
up concrete building. The design shows roof-to-wall anchorage
with sub-diaphragms. Which part of the structural provisions
most directly requires this?
A. CBC Chapter 16 (Structural Design)
, Page 4 of 57
B. CBC Chapter 19 (Concrete)
C. CBC Chapter 22 (Steel)
D. CBC Chapter 7A (Materials and Construction Methods for
Exterior Wildfire Exposure)
Answer: A. CBC Chapter 16 (Structural Design)
Rationale: The requirements for structural integrity,
including roof-to-wall anchorage and sub-diaphragms, are
found in CBC Chapter 16, which includes seismic design
and load path continuity. The plans examiner verifies that
the structural drawings show a complete load path.
6. A set of plans for a new high-rise building includes a fire
command center. The plans examiner should verify that the fire
command center complies with which code section primarily?
A. CBC Chapter 7 (Fire and Smoke Protection Features)
B. CBC Chapter 9 (Fire Protection Systems)
C. CBC Chapter 4 (Special Detailed Requirements Based on
Occupancy and Use)
D. CBC Section 911 (Fire Command Center)
Answer: D. CBC Section 911 (Fire Command Center)
Rationale: CBC Section 911 provides detailed requirements
for the fire command center, including location, size, and
equipment. The plans examiner checks compliance with
this specific section when a high-rise building requires a
command center.
7. The California Building Code defines a “high-rise building” as a
building with an occupied floor located more than how many
feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access?
A. 30 feet
