How to Pass the Kansas General Building Contractor (B) (ICC KGB, 2018 IBC/IRC) Exam
You don't have to guess how to prepare for the Kansas General Building Contractor (B) (ICC KGB, 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.
Kansas General Building Contractor (B) (ICC KGB, 2018 IBC/IRC) Exam Basics
Here's what the official bulletin says about the exam:
| 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
- Questions are four-option multiple choice with one correct answer.
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 (2015 IBC / 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.
What's on the Kansas General Building Contractor (B) (ICC KGB, 2018 IBC/IRC) Exam
The official content outline splits the exam into 4 topics:
| Topic | Questions | Share of the exam |
|---|---|---|
| Permits and General Regulations | 14 | 18% |
| Building Planning and Life Safety | 19 | 24% |
| Structural Systems | 37 | 46% |
| Building Envelope | 10 | 12% |
Your Kansas General Building Contractor (B) (ICC KGB, 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. Check the bulletin's rules on tabs and markings before you add any.
Put your energy where the points are. Structural Systems and Building Planning and Life Safety make up 70% 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 Kansas General Building Contractor (B) (ICC KGB, 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. One catch: some exams lock the questions you've already seen once you take a break, so clear your bookmarks before any break.
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.
Study Tips
A little anxiety before an exam is completely normal — acknowledge it instead of fighting it. If you feel yourself spiraling on a question, pause and take a few slow breaths to reset. If your test center allows a short break, use it; just remember the clock usually keeps running.
Don't let the clock rattle you. It's easy to feel overwhelmed when facing a page full of questions, a racing mind, and a ticking clock. Stay calm and stick to your planned pace. If you've been monitoring your progress consistently, you'll have enough time to finish. Even if the final minutes feel rushed, as long as you have only as many questions remaining as you should at that point, you're exactly where you need to be.
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.
Try These Kansas General Building Contractor (B) (ICC KGB, 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: You are managing the construction of a commercial building with large glass panels at the base of an interior stairway. At what maximum height above the adjacent walking surface of the stairway is glazing considered a hazardous location requiring safety glazing?
- A. 48 inches
- B. 72 inches
- C. 60 inches
- D. 36 inches
Correct Answer: C
Per IBC Section 2406.4.6, glazing where the bottom exposed edge of the glazing is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above the plane of the adjacent walking surface of stairways, landings between flights of stairs, and ramps shall be considered a hazardous location requiring safety glazing.
Reference: IBC 2018 Section 2406.4.6
Sample 2 — Structural Systems
Question: For seismic anchorage of masonry chimneys, straps must be embedded a minimum of how far into the chimney?
- A. 12 inches
- B. 8 inches
- C. 18 inches
- D. 6 inches
Correct Answer: A
Per Section 2113.4, masonry chimneys shall be anchored with two 3/16-inch by 1-inch straps embedded not less than 12 inches (305 mm) into the chimney, hooked around the outer bars and extending 6 inches beyond the bend.
Reference: IBC 2018 Chapter 21, Section 2113.4
Sample 3 — Building Planning and Life Safety
Question: You are installing a wet-chemical extinguishing system for a commercial kitchen hood. The manual actuation device must be located at or near a means of egress from the cooking area and within what distance range from the kitchen exhaust system?
- A. Not less than 5 feet, not more than 20 feet
- B. Not less than 10 feet, not more than 20 feet
- C. Not less than 15 feet, not more than 30 feet
- D. Not less than 5 feet, not more than 15 feet
Correct Answer: B
IBC 904.12.1 requires the manual actuation device to be located at or near a means of egress from the cooking area, not less than 10 feet and not more than 20 feet from the kitchen exhaust system, and mounted between 42 and 48 inches above the floor.
Reference: IBC 2018 Page 226
Sample 4 — Permits and General Regulations
Question: A property owner asks you to handle several small items at a commercial site along with a residential accessory project. Which of the following requires a building permit?
- A. A wood privacy fence exactly 7 feet high
- B. A one-story detached storage shed of 150 square feet
- C. Replacing carpet, cabinets and countertops in an office suite
- D. An 18-inch-deep prefabricated above-ground pool at a dwelling
Correct Answer: B
Under IBC Section 105.2, one-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds are exempt only where the floor area is not greater than 120 square feet; a 150-square-foot shed therefore requires a permit. Fences not over 7 feet, finish work such as carpeting and cabinets, and above-ground prefabricated pools less than 24 inches deep accessory to Group R-3 are listed exemptions.
Reference: IBC 2018 Chapter 1 (Scope and Administration), Section 105.2
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 Kansas General Building Contractor (B) (ICC KGB, 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.