Denver General Building Contractor (A) Exam (ICC F11, 2015 IBC) Practice Exam
ICC is retiring this exam. From December 1, 2026 it is no longer available for registration through Pearson VUE (ICC Exam Catalog, checked October 21, 2026). Check the ICC Exam Catalog or your licensing jurisdiction for the exam that replaces it.
Free Practice Exam
Test your knowledge with 10 questions from our pool of 20 free questions.
- 10 questions per attempt
- 30 minute time limit
- Unlimited attempts
- A new mix each time
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Full Practice Exam
Complete exam simulation matching the real Pearson VUE test format.
- 90 questions (same as real exam)
- 240 minute time limit
- 4 topic areas covered
- 423 questions in pool
- Detailed explanations
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Denver General Building Contractor (A) (ICC F11, 2015 IBC) Practice Exam Guide
What's on the exam
Questions per topic, out of 90This practice exam is laid out like the official content outline for the Denver General Building Contractor (A) (ICC F11, 2015 IBC) exam: Administration General Regulations, Building Planning and Life Safety, Structural Systems, Building Envelope.
Two ways to practice: the free practice exam gives you 10 questions per attempt, as often as you want. The full practice exam gives you 90 questions on a 4 hours clock, with a new draw from our question bank every time.
Administration General Regulations 14 items
Our study plan for this topic: Administration; Code Definitions and Terms; Plan Reading; Permits: application requirements, issuance, validity, expiration, and revocation; Work exempt from permit requirements; Building official authority, duties, and powers; Required inspections sequence and types; Certificate of occupancy requirements and issuance.
Building Planning and Life Safety 23 items
Our study plan for this topic: Use & Occupancy & Types of Construction; Fire & Smoke Alarms & Fire Protection Systems; Occupancy Needs & Interior Environment; Exiting & Means of Egress; Accessibility; Building height and area limits by occupancy and construction type; Allowable area increases for sprinkler systems and building frontage; Mezzanines and equipment platforms.
Structural Systems 40 items
Our study plan for this topic: Footings and Foundations; Concrete; Floors; Wall Framing and Stairs; Roof Ceiling Construction Roof Assembly; Masonry; Structural loads and load combinations (dead, live, wind, seismic, snow); Deflection limits and serviceability requirements.
Building Envelope 13 items
Our study plan for this topic: Interior Finishes; Glass and Glazing; Exterior Finishes and Roof Coverings; Roof drainage systems and secondary overflow (scuppers and gutters); Roof assembly fire classification (Class A, B, and C ratings by construction type); Roof covering installation requirements by type (slope, underlayment, fasteners, flashing); Reroofing, roof recover, and roof replacement requirements; Exterior wall weather protection and water-resistive barriers.
Sample 1 — Structural Systems
Question: A registered design professional has assigned nonstructural concrete on your commercial project a freeze-thaw exposure Class F1. What is the minimum specified compressive strength required for that concrete?
- A. 3,500 psi
- B. 3,000 psi
- C. 2,500 psi
- D. 4,000 psi
Correct Answer: B
IBC Section 1904.2 requires nonstructural concrete to have a minimum specified compressive strength of 2,500 psi for Class F0, 3,000 psi for Class F1, and 3,500 psi for Classes F2 and F3, with air entrainment in accordance with ACI 318.
Reference: IBC 2015 Chapter 19 — Section 1904.2 Nonstructural Concrete
Sample 2 — Building Planning and Life Safety
Question: You are laying out exit signage in a long exit access corridor of a commercial building. Exit sign placement must be such that no point in the corridor is farther than which distance (or the sign's listed viewing distance, whichever is less) from the nearest visible exit sign?
- A. 75 feet
- B. 50 feet
- C. 150 feet
- D. 100 feet
Correct Answer: D
IBC 1013.1 requires exit sign placement such that no point in an exit access corridor or exit passageway is more than 100 feet (30 480 mm), or the listed viewing distance for the sign, whichever is less, from the nearest visible exit sign.
Reference: IBC 2015 Chapter 10 — Section 1013.1 Exit Signs, Where Required
Sample 3 — Administration General Regulations
Question: Your completed commercial building is equipped with an automatic sprinkler system, and the building official is preparing the certificate of occupancy. Regarding that sprinkler system, what information must the certificate contain?
- A. The name of the installing contractor
- B. The hazard classification of the system
- C. The design density of the system
- D. Whether the sprinkler system is required
Correct Answer: D
Per 2015 IBC Section 111.2, item 11, where an automatic sprinkler system is provided, the certificate of occupancy must state whether the sprinkler system is required. Items such as design density, hazard classification and installer name are not among the 12 items listed in Section 111.2.
Reference: IBC 2015 Chapter 1 — Section 111.2 Certificate Issued (item 11)
Your first attempt is an inspection, not a final grade. The results page breaks your score down by outline topic, so you can see which areas need work. Compare it with the real exam's passing score, a minimum score of 70, and keep practicing until you pass consistently.
- Answer what you know first and bookmark the rest. Our practice exams let you bookmark and come back.
- Work your bookmarks on the second pass.
- Keep your pace. The real exam works out to about 2 minutes 40 seconds per question.
- After each attempt, look up each missed question's reference in your book and read the section.
| Questions | 90 questions |
| Time limit | 4 hours |
| Passing score | a minimum score of 70 |
| Books in the exam room | Open book |
| Exam fee | $115 |
- Results for electronically administered examinations are available immediately after the exam is completed.
- You must wait 10 days before retaking a failed exam.
Source: Denver, Colorado Contractor/Trades Examination Information Bulletin, Published June 3, 2026 (page headers read "August 19, 2025"). Check the bulletin before test day: fees and rules can change.