Kansas Building Contractor (B) (ICC 551, 2015 IBC/IRC) Exam Prep Checklist
Everything for the Kansas Building Contractor (B) (ICC 551, 2015 IBC/IRC) exam in one place: the bulletin's key facts, the topics and how many questions each carries, the reference books, sample questions with answers, and a prep checklist. Pearson VUE gives the exam.
Kansas Building Contractor (B) (ICC 551, 2015 IBC/IRC) Exam Facts
From the official bulletin:
| Questions | 80 questions |
| Time limit | 4 hours |
| Passing score | a minimum score of 75 |
| Books in the exam room | Open book |
| Exam fee | $115 |
On exam day
- The exam uses multiple-choice questions, which the bulletin describes as four-option with one correct answer.
References you may bring
- 2015 International Building Code®
- 2015 International Residential Code®
- Concrete Manual: Based on 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 https://www.pearsonvue.com/icc.
- Results for examinations taken electronically are available immediately after completion of the examination.
- You must wait 10 days before retaking a failed exam.
- After passing, contact the jurisdiction for any other requirements needed to become licensed.
Source: State of Kansas Contractor/Trades Examination Information Bulletin, PUBLISHED August 20, 2026 (page headers read "December 9, 2025"). Check the bulletin before test day: fees and rules can change.
Kansas Building Contractor (B) (ICC 551, 2015 IBC/IRC) Exam Topics
The official content outline has 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% |
Kansas Building Contractor (B) (ICC 551, 2015 IBC/IRC) Exam Prep Checklist
- Get the reference books the bulletin lists, in the editions it names.
- Learn each book's table of contents and index first.
- Highlight the sections you use most. Check the bulletin's rules on tabs and markings before you add any.
- Start with the biggest topics: Structural Systems and Building Planning and Life Safety (71% of the exam).
- Take our timed practice exams until you pass several in a row.
- After each attempt, look up every question you missed in your book.
- Practice at the real exam's pace: about 3 minutes per question.
Kansas Building Contractor (B) (ICC 551, 2015 IBC/IRC) Exam Reference Books
The listed references are the 2015 International Building Code, the 2015 International Residential Code, and either the Concrete Manual based on 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 Checklist
- First pass: answer every question you know. Bookmark the rest. Every exam lets you return to bookmarked questions (some lock them once you take a break).
- Second pass: work through your bookmarks.
- Pace: 4 hours for 80 questions, which is about 3 minutes per question.
- Last step: answer anything still blank. A blank can't earn a point.
Study Tips
On an open-book exam, work through every question once: answer the ones you know and skip the ones you don't. Then go back to the ones you flagged. You can bookmark questions for later review, just like on our exams — and don't sink too much time into any single question. The clock is still running.
Reading the material cover to cover usually isn't enough to pass. This is a multiple-choice exam, and multiple choice rewards practice — the more questions you work through under real conditions, the more the terminology and question style become second nature.
On technical questions, don't get bogged down in unfamiliar terminology. If you don't recognize a term, you're unlikely to figure it out on the spot—acknowledge it quickly and move on. Use the surrounding context, answer choices, and familiar terms to guide your reasoning, but don't linger on any single difficult question.
If you're stuck on a problem, don't waste time—move on. Before you do, however, quickly eliminate any obviously wrong answer choices. Even ruling out one or two options significantly improves your odds of guessing correctly. Eliminate what you can, make your best guess, then move on.
You're given plenty of time, so use as much of it as you need. Don't get rattled when other people finish early — finishing first isn't a prize. Work at your own steady pace and review your answers before you submit.
Kansas Building Contractor (B) (ICC 551, 2015 IBC/IRC) Sample Questions
From our practice question bank, with answers and references:
Sample 1 — Building Envelope
Question: A thin decorative wall covering is applied directly to the surface of a wall in a commercial tenant space. Flame spread and smoke-developed testing of the covering is not required where its thickness is less than:
- A. 0.015 inch
- B. 0.060 inch
- C. 0.025 inch
- D. 0.036 inch
Correct Answer: D
IBC Section 803.2 (Thickness Exemption) states that materials having a thickness less than 0.036 inch (0.9 mm) applied directly to the surface of walls or ceilings are not required to be tested for interior finish classification.
Reference: IBC 2015 Chapter 8 — Section 803.2 Thickness Exemption
Sample 2 — Structural Systems
Question: Cross-laminated timber used in wall construction shall be manufactured and identified as required by which standard?
- A. ANSI/APA PRG 320
- B. ANSI/APA PRR 410
- C. ANSI A208.1
- D. ASTM D 5456
Correct Answer: A
IRC 2015 Section R602.1.6 requires cross-laminated timber to be manufactured and identified per ANSI/APA PRG 320. ANSI/APA PRR 410 applies to engineered wood rim board (R602.1.7), ASTM D 5456 to structural composite lumber (R602.1.5), and ANSI A208.1 to particleboard (R602.1.9).
Reference: IRC 2015 Section R602.1.6
Sample 3 — Building Planning and Life Safety
Question: In Type IV (Heavy Timber) construction, sawn or glued-laminated wood columns that support floor loads shall be not less than what minimum nominal size?
- A. 6 inches in any dimension
- B. 6 inches in width and 8 inches in depth
- C. 4 inches in width and 6 inches in depth
- D. 8 inches in any dimension
Correct Answer: D
IBC Section 602.4.3 requires wood columns supporting floor loads to be not less than 8 inches nominal in any dimension. Columns supporting only roof and ceiling loads may be 6 inches nominal in width by 8 inches nominal in depth, and 4-by-6 applies to certain roof framing members under Section 602.4.5.
Reference: IBC 2015 Chapter 6 — Section 602.4.3 Columns
Sample 4 — Permits and General Regulations
Question: The serving electric utility is ready to make the permanent service connection to a commercial building you have substantially completed and for which a permit was required. Under the code, that connection shall not be made until which of the following has occurred?
- A. The final inspection has been scheduled
- B. The design professional in responsible charge has certified the system
- C. The building official has released the connection
- D. The certificate of occupancy has been issued
Correct Answer: C
IBC Section 112.1 states that a person shall not make connections from a utility, source of energy, fuel or power to any building or system regulated by the code for which a permit is required until released by the building official. Section 112.2 further allows the building official to authorize a temporary connection; issuance of the certificate of occupancy is not the stated trigger.
Reference: IBC 2015 Chapter 1 — Section 112.1 Connection of Service Utilities
Online Practice vs. a PDF
- Timed: you practice finding answers under time pressure, not just reading them.
- Bookmarks: flag questions and come back, the way you will on test day.
- New sets: each attempt draws new questions from our bank.
- Scored by topic: your results show which outline topics need more study.
Next Step
- Take the free Kansas Building Contractor (B) (ICC 551, 2015 IBC/IRC) practice exam.
- Study the topics where you scored lowest.
- Read the exam bulletin for the official rules, and see the licensing board's website.