ICC F13 Residential Building Contractor (C) Exam (2015 IRC) Practice Exam
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
- Instant results
Full Practice Exam
Complete exam simulation matching the real Pearson VUE test format.
- 80 questions (same as real exam)
- 240 minute time limit
- 4 topic areas covered
- 371 questions in pool
- Detailed explanations
Texts preferred · 9am–9pm Central
ICC F13 Residential Building Contractor (C) (2015 IRC) Practice Exam Guide
What's on the exam
Questions per topic, out of 80This practice exam is laid out like the official content outline for the ICC F13 Residential Building Contractor (C) (2015 IRC) exam: Permits and General Regulations, Building Safety and Life Planning, 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 80 questions on a 4 hours clock, with a new draw from our question bank every time.
Permits and General Regulations 17 items
Our study plan for this topic: Regulations and Job Planning; Code Definitions and Terms; Permit application requirements and procedures; Work exempt from permit requirements; Permit validity, expiration, and extension; Types and sequence of required inspections; Certificate of occupancy requirements and issuance; Building official authority, duties, and powers.
Building Safety and Life Planning 13 items
The outline lists: Fire & Smoke Alarms & Fire Protection Sys; Occupancy Needs & Interior Environment; Exiting & Means of Egress; Fire-Resistant Construction & Separation (exterior walls, townhouse/two-family dwelling separations, dwelling-garage separation); Fireblocking & Draftstopping Requirements; Guards & Window Fall Protection; Building Planning.
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; Wall Bracing Methods and Requirements; Cold-Formed Steel Wall Framing.
Building Envelope 10 items
Our study plan for this topic: Interior Finishes; Glass and Glazing; Exterior Finishes and Roof Coverings; Water-resistive barriers and vapor retarders; Flashing installation requirements and locations; Siding and cladding attachment (fasteners, thickness, and wind resistance); Exterior masonry and stone veneer (anchored and adhered); Roof underlayment types, application, and ice barriers.
Sample 1 — Structural Systems
Question: For cold-formed steel wall construction, the minimum length of full-height structural sheathing in a braced wall line shall be not less than what percentage of the braced wall line length?
- A. 25 percent
- B. 10 percent
- C. 15 percent
- D. 20 percent
Correct Answer: D
Per IRC 2015 Section R603.9.2, after applying the percentage from Table R603.9.2(1) and the plan aspect-ratio adjustment factors, the minimum length of full-height sheathing shall be not less than 20 percent of the braced wall line length. Only sheathed full-height sections at least 48 inches wide count toward that length.
Reference: IRC 2015 Section R603.9.2
Sample 2 — Permits and General Regulations
Question: Rough inspections of the plumbing, mechanical, gas and electrical systems must be made prior to covering or concealment and must be approved before which inspection is performed?
- A. Fire-resistance-rated construction inspection
- B. Final inspection
- C. Framing inspection
- D. Foundation inspection
Correct Answer: C
2015 IRC Sections R109.1.2 and R109.1.4 require rough plumbing, mechanical, gas and electrical inspections prior to framing inspection; the frame and masonry inspection is made after those rough inspections are approved.
Reference: IRC 2015 Sections R109.1.2 and R109.1.4
Sample 3 — Building Safety and Life Planning
Question: You are constructing a row of townhouses in which the common walls are extended through the roof as parapets. Where the roof surfaces on both sides of the common wall are at the same elevation, the parapet must extend not less than how far above those roof surfaces?
- A. 36 inches
- B. 18 inches
- C. 24 inches
- D. 30 inches
Correct Answer: D
Per IRC Section R302.2.2, where roof surfaces adjacent to the common wall are at the same elevation, the parapet shall extend not less than 30 inches above the roof surfaces. The same 30-inch dimension applies above the lower roof where roofs are at different elevations not more than 30 inches apart.
Reference: IRC 2015 Section R302.2.2
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 3 minutes per question.
- After each attempt, look up each missed question's reference in your book and read the section.
| Questions | 80 questions |
| Time limit | 4 hours |
| Passing score | a minimum score of 70 |
| Books in the exam room | Open book |
| Exam fee | $120 |
- Results for examinations taken electronically are available immediately after the examination is completed.
- You must wait 10 days before retaking a failed exam.
Source: National Contractor/Trades Examination Information Bulletin, PUBLISHED June 30, 2026. Check the bulletin before test day: fees and rules can change.