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Read this firstThe B1 exam outline: content areas and weightsThe seven ICC Residential Building Inspector (B1) content areas with their published weights, the format, cost and code editions, with a free 10-question check.

Exam facts and requirements

49 resources

What is on the exam, who can sit it, what it costs and how to keep it.

The B1 exam outline: content areas and weightsThe seven ICC Residential Building Inspector (B1) content areas with their published weights, the format, cost and code editions, with a free 10-question check.
ICC B2 exam outline: seven areas and weightsThe seven areas of ICC's B2 Commercial Building Inspector outline and their weights, the 80 questions in 210 minutes, the code years and a free check.
ICC R3 exam outline: eight areas and weightsThe eight areas of ICC's R3 Residential Plans Examiner outline with their weights, the 60 questions in 120 minutes, the code years and a free 10-question check.
ICC exam catalog: how to read an exam listingWhat an ICC exam catalog listing shows, how exam IDs group, what the references and code year mean, and which listing a residential inspector buys.
ICC exam cost, PRONTO remote proctoring and retakesThe $320 ICC B1 exam fee in 2026, how to book in PRONTO, remote-proctor requirements, and what a retake costs, in one checklist.
Building inspector classes, courses and certification onlineBuilding inspector classes and courses by route, the remote ICC PRONTO exam, and the state and experience steps no class replaces.
2021 or 2024 IRC: which code book to bringBring the right IRC to the ICC B1 exam. ICC offers 2021 and 2024, so match your book to your booking and tab the right section numbers.
IRC tabs for the B1: a tab list for the 2021 and 2024 editionsA free tab list for the ICC B1 residential inspector exam: chapter and section tabs for the 2021 and 2024 IRC, grouped by outline, plus tab rules.
Building inspector pay by state (BLS data)Compare BLS national building inspector wages and leading state averages, with the data year, occupation code and limits of certification pay claims.
B1 prep for building departments and inspection agenciesPlan ICC B1 exam preparation for an inspection team. See what each seat includes, the per-seat crew prices and how quotes and invoices work.
ICC exam results: when you get them, what the score means, and retakesWhat the 75 scaled passing score means, where to find your result in PRONTO, ICC's retake limits, and how to use your score report to plan a retake.
Building inspector certification by stateWhich agency certifies building inspectors in states from Texas and California to Virginia and Oregon, and where ICC exams fit in each route.
Florida building inspector certification: DBPR license, ICC exam and categoriesHow Florida licenses building inspectors: the DBPR board, provisional and standard certificates, the ICC technical exam and the Florida exam.
Oregon building inspector certificationHow Oregon certifies building inspectors: the Building Codes Division, the Oregon Inspector Certification, and how an ICC B1 converts to a state certificate.
Pennsylvania building inspector certificationHow Pennsylvania certifies UCC inspectors: the Department of Labor and Industry, who must be certified, exam first, three-year terms and CE hours.
South Carolina building inspector certificationHow South Carolina registers residential building inspectors: the Building Codes Council, ICC certificates as proof, CE hours and renewal.
Virginia building inspector certificationHow Virginia certifies residential building inspectors: DHCD, the Building Code Academy classes, the ICC B1 or NCPCCI exam, and CE rules.
Michigan building inspector registrationHow Michigan registers building inspectors: LARA's Bureau of Construction Codes, the registration exam, experience routes, and where ICC B1 does not apply.
Ohio building inspector certificationHow Ohio certifies building department inspectors: the Board of Building Standards levels, ICC evidence, three-year terms and 30 CE hours.
ICC exams in Colorado: which exam, which code year and how to bookWhich ICC exam to take for a Colorado inspector job, which IRC year Denver and the Pikes Peak region enforce, and how to book it online or in person.
California building inspector certification: state law, ICC B1 and J1, and DSAHow to get certified as a building inspector in California: the state law for city and county inspectors, ICC's B1 and J1 exams and DSA inspection.
North Carolina building inspector certificationHow North Carolina certifies code enforcement officials: Code Officials Qualification Board certificates, the exam, comity for ICC holders and renewal.
Minnesota building inspector certificationHow Minnesota certifies building officials: the certified building official and limited categories, point prerequisites and the state exam.
Kentucky building inspector certificationHow Kentucky certifies building inspectors under 815 KAR 7:070: application, education or experience, and the ICC B1 and M1 route for homes.
Rhode Island building inspector certificationHow Rhode Island certifies Building Inspector-1 for homes: ICC B1, three years of experience, and the state certification classes.
ICC B1 (Residential Building Inspector) certification: exam, cost and stepsHow to get ICC B1 certification: what it is, the 60-question open-book exam, the $320 fee, booking, results and renewal, in order, with a free check.
ICC B1 vs B2 vs R5: which inspector exam?Compare the ICC B1, B2 and R5 inspector certifications: scope, code editions, exam fees and which state rules in KY, RI, NJ and UT name each one.
ICC E1, M1 and P1: the residential trade inspector examsICC's E1 electrical, M1 mechanical and P1 plumbing inspector exams: format, code books, cost, and how the three plus the B1 add up to R5 combination.
Rafter ties vs ceiling joists: what it means on an inspectionWhat a rafter tie does, when ceiling joists can serve as one, how it differs from a collar tie, and how the B1 tests roof framing connections.
Collar ties: what it means on an inspectionWhat a collar tie is, why it sits high in the attic, how it differs from a rafter tie and what to check at a roof framing inspection.
Ridge board vs ridge beam: what it means on an inspectionRidge board versus ridge beam: what each one carries, why one needs ties and the other needs posts, and how to tell them apart in a plan review.
Roof pitch: what it means on an inspectionWhat roof pitch means, how to read a 6:12 pitch, how pitch differs from slope and angle, and how to convert it for a rafter length question.
Braced wall panel: what it means on an inspectionA braced wall panel is the full-height braced segment inside a braced wall line. See the difference, what disqualifies a segment, and how the B1 tests it.
Wall header: what it means on an inspectionWhat a wall header does over a door or window, why size depends on span and load, and what to check at framing inspection and on the B1.
King stud vs jack stud: what it means on an inspectionKing stud versus jack stud: how each one is placed beside a door or window opening, which one carries the header, and what the B1 expects you to know.
Cripple wall: what it means on an inspectionWhat a cripple wall is, how it differs from a cripple stud, why a tall one needs more than short studs, and how the B1 covers it.
Sill plate: what it means on an inspectionWhat a sill plate is, how it differs from a bottom plate, how it is anchored to the foundation, and why decay protection matters at the B1.
Band joist: what it means on an inspectionWhat a band joist or rim joist is, how it differs from a floor joist and a header joist, and what to check where the floor meets the wall.
Notching and boring joists: what it means on an inspectionWhere a floor joist can be notched or drilled: the middle third, notch depth, hole size and edge distance, plus why engineered joists and trusses differ.
Bearing wall vs non-bearing wall: what it means on an inspectionBearing wall versus non-bearing wall: how to tell which is which from joist direction and load, and why the difference matters for headers and removal.
Footing vs foundation wall: what it means on an inspectionFooting versus foundation wall: what each carries, how they are sized, why depth below frost matters, and when each is inspected.
Fireblocking vs draftstopping: what it means on an inspectionFireblocking versus draftstopping: what each one stops, where each goes in a house, the materials involved and how the B1 separates them.
Egress window: what it means on an inspectionHow an inspector checks an egress window, and how the ICC B1 tests it: the four limits, the area math and the 2021 and 2024 section numbers.
Net clear opening vs rough opening: what it means on an inspectionNet clear opening versus rough opening: what each one measures, why an egress window's clear area is smaller than its frame, and how to measure it.
Guard vs handrail: what it means on an inspectionGuard versus handrail: one stops falls from an open side, the other gives a grip on stairs. Heights, openings and where each is required.
Winder stairs: what it means on an inspectionWhat winder treads are, how the walkline is used to measure them, the general minimum tread depths, and how winders differ from landings and spirals.
Flashing: what it means on an inspectionWhat flashing does, the places a house needs it, how lapping works, and what to look for at a wall or roof inspection and on the B1.
Step flashing vs counterflashing: what it means on an inspectionStep flashing versus counterflashing: where each is used on a roof, how they lap, and why a chimney needs both a base and a cap piece.
IRC terms glossary: framing, egress, stairs and flashingPlain-English glossary of residential building terms behind the ICC B1: roof and wall framing, floors, foundations, fire protection, egress, stairs, flashing.

Study guides

4 resources

Work through one topic at a time, with the method and worked examples.

How to read IRC span tables: joists, rafters and headersA step-by-step method for reading IRC span tables for joists, rafters and headers: the inputs each table needs, the lookup order and worked examples.
IRC chapters for the B1: what each chapter covers and where to lookEvery IRC chapter by number and title, the ones the ICC B1 outline leans on by weight, and where candidates lose time looking things up.
B1 prep courses, academies and practice banks comparedICC B1 practice and prep options side by side: price, access, renewal, refund rule and question count, each from the seller's page, read 22 Oct 2026.
ICC B1 residential building inspector: a study plan from the exam outlineBuild a weekly ICC B1 study plan from the exam outline, choose your IRC edition and practice permitted tabs and timed reference navigation.

Practice tests and drills

3 resources

Check yourself on questions, symbols and code look-ups, then see what to fix.

Code navigation drill: find the section in your own IRC against the clockFind IRC sections on a clock and build open-book speed.
ICC B1 lookup drill: find the 2024 IRC section on a clockFind 2024 IRC sections and tables on a clock against a target pace you set, five questions for the B1.
ICC practice test: free B1 residential inspector questionsFree ICC practice test for the B1 Residential Building Inspector exam: three original questions with IRC sections, then a free 10-question check.

Tools and calculators

7 resources

Run the math your exam asks for and get the answer in seconds.

IRC stair riser and tread check: 2021 vs 2024 limitsCheck risers and treads against the 2021 and 2024 IRC side by side.
IRC egress window requirements: 2021 vs 2024 checkCheck egress window area, height and width against both IRC editions.
Rafter length calculator: run, pitch and overhangRun, pitch and overhang to common rafter length, ridge deduction, rise and cut angles.
ICC B1 study plan builder: your exam dateA week-by-week ICC B1 plan weighted by the seven outline areas, from your exam date, hours and weak spots.
Which ICC inspector exam? B1, B2 or R5Say what you want to inspect and what you hold, and get the ICC exam to start with, the exams left and their list cost.
ICC exam cost calculator: fees, retakes and total budgetTotal your ICC exam fees, retakes and test-center premium, with your own code books and prep added.
IRC guard and handrail check: height, opening and trigger testsCheck when a guard is required, its height and openings, and stair handrail height, against both IRC editions.