Kansas General Building Contractor (A) Exam (ICC 550, 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). The Kansas exam on the 2018/2017 codes, ICC KGA, has no retirement date listed, and we have a practice test for 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
- Instant results
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
Texts preferred · 9am–9pm Central
Kansas General Building Contractor (A) (ICC 550, 2015 IBC) Practice Exam Guide
What's on the exam
Questions per topic, out of 90This practice exam is built around the official content outline for the Kansas General Building Contractor (A) (ICC 550, 2015 IBC) exam: Administration General Regulations, Building, Planning and Life Safety, Structural Systems, Building Envelope.
There are two ways to practice. The free practice exam gives you 10 questions per attempt, and you can take it as many times as you like. The full practice exam gives you 90 questions on a 4 hours clock, with a new draw from our question bank each 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 plumbing subcontractor is boring holes through conventionally framed wood floor joists. Holes bored in the joists shall not be located within what distance of the top or bottom of the joist?
- A. 1 1/2 inches
- B. 3 inches
- C. 1 inch
- D. 2 inches
Correct Answer: D
Per IBC 2015 Section 2308.4.2.4, holes bored in joists shall not be within 2 inches of the top or bottom of the joist, and the diameter of any such hole shall not exceed one-third the depth of the joist.
Reference: IBC 2015 Chapter 23 — Section 2308.4.2.4
Sample 2 — Building, Planning and Life Safety
Question: An automatic sprinkler system must be provided for a fire area containing a Group A-2 occupancy (such as a restaurant or bar) when that fire area exceeds what floor area?
- A. 24,000 square feet
- B. 12,000 square feet
- C. 5,000 square feet
- D. 2,500 square feet
Correct Answer: C
IBC 903.2.1.2 requires sprinklers for Group A-2 fire areas exceeding 5,000 square feet (also where the occupant load is 100 or more, or the fire area is on a floor other than a level of exit discharge). The 12,000-square-foot trigger applies to Groups A-1, A-3 and A-4 (903.2.1.1, .3, .4).
Reference: IBC 2015 Chapter 9 — Section 903.2.1.2 Group A-2
Sample 3 — Administration General Regulations
Question: Your appeal of a building official's determination on a commercial project has been scheduled for hearing. The rules of procedure under which the hearing is conducted are adopted by whom?
- A. The chief appointing authority
- B. The jurisdiction's legal counsel
- C. The board of appeals
- D. The building official
Correct Answer: C
Per 2015 IBC Section 113.1, the board of appeals is appointed by the applicable governing authority, holds office at its pleasure, and 'shall adopt rules of procedure for conducting its business.' Neither the building official nor the appointing authority sets the board's hearing procedures.
Reference: IBC 2015 Chapter 1 — Section 113.1 General (Board of Appeals)
Your first score is just a starting point. After every attempt, the results page shows how you did on each outline topic, so you can see what to work on next. Compare your score with the real exam's passing score, a minimum score of 75, and keep at it until you pass consistently.
- Start with the questions you know. Go through the whole exam once and bookmark anything you're unsure about. Our practice exams let you bookmark and come back.
- Circle back to your bookmarks on the second pass.
- Keep an eye on your pace. The real exam works out to about 2 minutes 40 seconds per question.
- Turn every miss into a lesson. 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 75 |
| Books in the exam room | Open book |
| Exam fee | $115 |
- Results for examinations taken electronically are available immediately after completion of the examination.
- You must wait 10 days before retaking a failed exam.
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.