How to Pass the ICC G12 General Building Contractor (B) (2018 IBC/IRC) Exam
You don't have to guess how to prepare for the ICC G12 General Building Contractor (B) (2018 IBC/IRC) exam. This guide lays it out: the key facts from the official bulletin, the topics on the test, the books you need, sample questions with answers, and a study plan you can follow. Pearson VUE gives the exam.
ICC G12 General Building Contractor (B) (2018 IBC/IRC) Exam Basics
Here's what the official bulletin says about the exam:
| Questions | 80 questions |
| Time limit | 4 hours |
| Passing score | 70% correct |
| Books in the exam room | Open book |
| Exam fee | $120 |
On exam day
- The exam uses multiple-choice questions.
- NOTE: You do not need to buy all editions associated with the ACI 318 and Concrete Manual references. Since all answers associated with those references can be found in any of the listed editions, you will need only one of the reference editions to study for your exam.
You may bring copyrighted, bound books to the test administration, including those specifically listed as approved references. However, training materials such as presentations, study guides, or practice questions are not permitted. All exam questions are based solely on the approved reference list, and only those references may be used as the basis for appealing exam questions.
References you may bring
- International Building Code® (2018)
- International Residential Code (2018)
- Concrete Manual: Based on the 2021 IBC and ACI 318-19
- Concrete Manual: Based on the 2015 IBC and ACI 318-14
Scheduling, changes and retakes
- Exams are scheduled through PearsonVUE at www.pearsonvue.com/ICC, where candidates can create an account, schedule an exam, locate a test center, purchase vouchers and request accommodations.
- Results for examinations taken electronically are available immediately after the examination is completed.
- You must wait 10 days before retaking a failed exam.
- After passing, contact the jurisdiction in which you wish to be licensed for any other requirements, because ICC is not a licensing agency.
Source: National Contractor/Trades Examination Information Bulletin, PUBLISHED June 30, 2026; ICC Exam Catalog, checked October 2, 2026. Check the bulletin before test day: fees and rules can change.
What's on the ICC G12 General Building Contractor (B) (2018 IBC/IRC) Exam
The official content outline splits the exam into 4 topics:
| Topic | Questions | Share of the exam |
|---|---|---|
| Permits and General Regulations | 17 | 21% |
| Building Planning and Life Safety | 24 | 30% |
| Structural Systems | 33 | 41% |
| Building Envelope | 6 | 8% |
Your ICC G12 General Building Contractor (B) (2018 IBC/IRC) Study Plan
Your books are your best friend on this exam. It's open book, so the references on the bulletin's list are what you'll use on test day. Get your own copies in the editions the bulletin names.
Get to know them early. Spend time with each book's table of contents and index until you can find any major subject quickly. On an open-book exam, finding answers fast is the skill that counts.
Make the books yours. Highlight the sections you keep coming back to. The exam facts above list the bulletin's rules on tabs and markings, so follow them exactly.
Put your energy where the points are. Structural Systems and Building Planning and Life Safety make up 71% of the exam, so start there.
Practice with the clock running. Our timed practice exams help you build the pace the real exam needs: about 3 minutes per question. Every attempt is another rep.
Keep going until you pass practice exams consistently. One good score is a great start. A few passing scores in a row is how you know you're ready.
Books You'll Need for the ICC G12 General Building Contractor (B) (2018 IBC/IRC) Exam
The listed references are the 2018 International Building Code, the 2018 International Residential Code, and either the Concrete Manual: Based on the 2021 IBC and ACI 318-19 or the Concrete Manual: Based on the 2015 IBC and ACI 318-14.
Where to get them:
Test Day Tips
Start with a quick pass through the whole exam. Answer every question you're sure about and bookmark the rest. Every exam lets you return to bookmarked questions, so nothing is lost by moving on.
Then come back to your bookmarks and work through them one at a time. Keep an eye on the clock: you have 4 hours for 80 questions, which is about 3 minutes per question. Before you finish, make sure every question has an answer. A blank can't earn a point.
Try These ICC G12 General Building Contractor (B) (2018 IBC/IRC) Practice Questions
Give these a try. They come from our practice question bank, each with its answer and reference.
Sample 1 — Building Envelope
Question: Interior wall and ceiling finish materials tested in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723 are grouped into classes by their flame spread index. Which flame spread index range defines a Class B interior finish material?
- A. 76–200
- B. 0–25
- C. 201–500
- D. 26–75
Correct Answer: D
Per IBC Section 803.1.2, Class A = flame spread index 0–25, Class B = 26–75, and Class C = 76–200, each with a smoke-developed index of 0–450. There is no class above 200.
Reference: IBC 2018 Chapter 8 — Section 803.1.2
Sample 2 — Structural Systems
Question: On a wood-framed load-bearing wall capped with a double top plate, end joints in the top plates shall be offset from one another by not less than:
- A. 16 inches
- B. 36 inches
- C. 24 inches
- D. 48 inches
Correct Answer: C
Per IRC R602.3.2, wood stud walls are capped with a double top plate installed to provide overlapping at corners and intersections, and end joints in top plates shall be offset not less than 24 inches. Joints need not occur over studs.
Reference: IRC 2018 Section R602.3.2
Sample 3 — Building Planning and Life Safety
Question: A mechanical smoke removal system is being designed for a fully sprinklered warehouse. The system must exhaust at a minimum rate of two air changes per hour, and the capacity of each individual exhaust fan shall NOT exceed:
- A. 50,000 cubic feet per minute
- B. 15,000 cubic feet per minute
- C. 30,000 cubic feet per minute
- D. 20,000 cubic feet per minute
Correct Answer: C
IBC 910.4.3 requires the mechanical smoke removal system to be sized for at least two air changes per hour based on building volume, and limits the capacity of each exhaust fan to 30,000 cfm.
Reference: IBC 2018 Page 250
Sample 4 — Permits and General Regulations
Question: An owner asks to occupy the completed ground floor of a commercial building while interior work continues on the upper floors. Which statement correctly describes the temporary certificate of occupancy for that portion?
- A. The building official sets its period of validity
- B. It is issued following final inspection approval
- C. It requires approval of the board of appeals
- D. It remains valid for 180 days after issuance
Correct Answer: A
Per IBC 111.3, the building official is authorized to issue a temporary certificate of occupancy before completion of the entire work covered by the permit, provided the portion(s) can be occupied safely, and the building official shall set a time period during which the temporary certificate is valid. No fixed 180-day term or appeal board action is specified.
Reference: IBC 2018 Chapter 1 (Scope and Administration), Section 111.3
Why Practice Online?
Reading questions in a PDF is a start, but it doesn't prepare you for the clock. Our practice exams are timed and on a screen, so you build speed along with knowledge. Each attempt draws a new set of questions from our bank, and your results show your score by topic so you know where to focus next.
Ready to Start?
Take the free ICC G12 General Building Contractor (B) (2018 IBC/IRC) practice exam and see where you stand today. Then focus on the topics that need the most work. For the official rules, read the exam bulletin, and see the licensing board's website.