100+ Free ACI Post-Installed Anchor Inspector Practice Questions

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Which code chapter of the International Building Code (IBC) governs special inspections and tests for post-installed anchors in concrete on commercial projects?

IBC Chapter 17

IBC Chapter 19

IBC Chapter 16

IBC Chapter 22

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: ACI Post-Installed Anchor Inspector Exam

45 + 90

Part I + Part II MC Questions

ACI Post-Installed Anchor Inspector Program

45 min + 2 hr

Part I + Part II Exam Times

ACI Post-Installed Anchor Inspector Program

74% / 70%

Passing Scores (Part I / Part II overall)

ACI Post-Installed Anchor Inspector Program

Open + closed

Part II Open-Book, Part I Closed-Book

ACI Post-Installed Anchor Inspector Program

5 years

Certification Validity

ACI

$550-$650

Typical Exam Fee (sponsoring group)

ACI sponsoring groups

The ACI Post-Installed Concrete Anchor Installation Inspector is an IBC Chapter 17 special inspector credential that covers every type of post-installed concrete anchor: wedge, drop-in, sleeve, undercut, and concrete screw mechanical anchors AND epoxy/polyester/vinyl-ester adhesive anchors. Candidates pass a closed-book 45-question 45-minute Part I Installation exam (74% passing) plus an open-book 90-question 2-hour Part II Inspection exam (70% overall, 60% per subsection). Eligibility requires prior ACI Adhesive Anchor Installer certification OR attendance at a live or video-based installation demonstration, plus relevant inspection experience. The certification is valid for 5 years.

Sample ACI Post-Installed Anchor Inspector Practice Questions

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1Which code chapter of the International Building Code (IBC) governs special inspections and tests for post-installed anchors in concrete on commercial projects?

A.IBC Chapter 17

B.IBC Chapter 19

C.IBC Chapter 16

D.IBC Chapter 22

Explanation: IBC Chapter 17 (Special Inspections and Tests) contains the requirements for special inspection of post-installed anchors. Section 1705.1.1 and Table 1705.3 specifically address periodic and continuous inspection of mechanical and adhesive anchors installed in hardened concrete. Chapter 19 covers concrete materials and design, Chapter 16 covers structural loads, and Chapter 22 covers steel.

2Per ACI 318-19, Chapter 17 governs the design and qualification of anchors. What does ACI 318 Chapter 17 primarily address?

A.Anchoring to concrete (cast-in and post-installed anchors)

B.Prestressed concrete design

C.Formwork and shoring

D.Seismic detailing of reinforced walls

Explanation: ACI 318-19 Chapter 17 is titled 'Anchoring to Concrete' and covers both cast-in and post-installed anchors. It defines design methods, strength checks (steel, concrete breakout, pullout, side-face blowout, bond for adhesive), edge distance, spacing, embedment, and qualification requirements for mechanical (ACI 355.2) and adhesive (ACI 355.4) anchors.

3Which ACI standard provides qualification testing requirements for post-installed mechanical anchors in concrete?

A.ACI 355.2

B.ACI 355.4

C.ACI 318

D.ACI 301

Explanation: ACI 355.2 'Qualification of Post-Installed Mechanical Anchors in Concrete' defines the test program that anchor manufacturers must complete for their products to be used under ACI 318 Chapter 17. Results typically appear in an ICC-ES ESR or equivalent evaluation report. ACI 355.4 covers adhesive anchors; ACI 318 references both standards but does not contain the qualification tests itself.

4Which ACI standard provides qualification testing requirements for post-installed adhesive anchors in concrete?

A.ACI 355.4

B.ACI 355.2

C.ACI 318 Chapter 25

D.ACI 117

Explanation: ACI 355.4 'Qualification of Post-Installed Adhesive Anchors in Concrete' defines the qualification test program for bonded (adhesive) anchors, including sensitivity testing (hole cleaning, hole condition, curing), sustained load testing, and seismic qualification. Adhesive anchors used under ACI 318 Chapter 17 must be qualified per ACI 355.4.

5A wedge anchor, such as a Kwik Bolt or Power-Stud, is classified as which type of post-installed anchor?

A.Torque-controlled expansion anchor

B.Undercut anchor

C.Adhesive anchor

D.Screw anchor

Explanation: Wedge anchors (Kwik Bolt, Power-Stud, Trubolt, etc.) are torque-controlled expansion anchors. Tightening a nut on the threaded stud pulls a tapered cone up into an expansion clip, wedging the clip against the hole wall to generate friction and keying. ACI 318 Chapter 17 treats them as 'torque-controlled expansion anchors' for design equations.

6A drop-in anchor is classified under ACI 318 Chapter 17 as which of the following?

A.Displacement-controlled expansion anchor

B.Torque-controlled expansion anchor

C.Adhesive anchor

D.Undercut anchor

Explanation: Drop-in anchors are displacement-controlled expansion anchors. A setting tool is driven into the internally threaded sleeve, forcing an internal plug downward and expanding the sleeve against the concrete a fixed distance. Because expansion is displacement-based rather than torque-based, ACI 318 Chapter 17 treats them separately from wedge-type (torque-controlled) anchors.

7A concrete screw anchor (e.g., Titen HD, Tapcon+) transfers load primarily by what mechanism?

A.Mechanical interlock of cut threads in the concrete

B.Frictional expansion of a wedge clip

C.Chemical bond from injected adhesive

D.Bearing on an undercut bell formed at the base of the hole

Explanation: Concrete screw anchors (Titen HD, Tapcon+, Wedge-Bolt+, Screw-Bolt+) are driven with an impact wrench; hardened threads on the screw cut mating threads in the concrete as the anchor is installed. Load transfer is primarily through mechanical interlock of the cut threads — no expansion clip, no adhesive, and no undercut.

8Which of the following is the best example of a true undercut anchor?

A.Hilti HDA or Powers Atomic+ Undercut

B.Hilti Kwik Bolt TZ2

C.DeWalt Power-Stud+ SD2

D.Simpson Titen HD

Explanation: Hilti HDA and Powers Atomic+ Undercut are true undercut anchors. A special drill or setting operation cuts a bell-shaped undercut at the base of the hole, into which the anchor expansion element locks, providing mechanical keying. Undercut anchors perform especially well in cracked concrete because load transfer is by bearing, not friction.

9Adhesive anchors are classified by the chemistry of the bonding agent. Which of the following is NOT a common adhesive anchor chemistry?

A.Portland cement grout (plain)

B.Epoxy

C.Vinyl ester

D.Hybrid (epoxy-acrylate)

Explanation: Plain Portland cement grout is a cementitious grout and is not qualified as an adhesive anchor under ACI 355.4. Adhesive anchor chemistries qualified under ACI 355.4 include epoxy, polyester, vinyl ester, acrylic, and hybrid formulations. Some cementitious hybrid adhesives exist but they must still be qualified under 355.4 as adhesive anchors.

10Per ACI 318-19 Section 17.1.2, an adhesive anchor qualified under ACI 355.4 and installed horizontally or upwardly inclined to resist SUSTAINED tension loads must be installed by:

A.An ACI-certified Adhesive Anchor Installer under the supervision of a continuous special inspector

B.Any journey-level laborer with OSHA 10 training

C.The project superintendent only

D.A manufacturer representative only

Explanation: ACI 318-19 Section 17.1.2 requires adhesive anchors resisting sustained tension in horizontal or upwardly inclined orientations to be installed by personnel certified under the ACI/CRSI Adhesive Anchor Installer Certification program AND be inspected continuously by a qualified special inspector. This rule was introduced after the 2006 Boston Big Dig ceiling collapse.

About the ACI Post-Installed Anchor Inspector Exam

ACI inspector certification for post-installed mechanical AND adhesive concrete anchors under IBC Chapter 17 special inspections. Covers ACI 318-19 Chapter 17 anchoring to concrete, ACI 355.2 mechanical anchor qualification, ACI 355.4 adhesive anchor qualification, ICC-ES ESR product verification (AC193 mechanical, AC308 adhesive), MPII/IFU installation procedures, hole drilling and cleaning, torque and setting verification, edge distance and spacing, cracked vs uncracked concrete qualification, proof load testing per ASTM E488, daily inspection logs, and final reports of special inspections.

Assessment

Part I—Installation (closed-book, 45 MC, 45 min) + Part II—Inspection (open-book, 90 MC, 2 hr)

Time Limit

45 minutes (Part I) + 2 hours (Part II)

Passing Score

74% Part I; 70% overall Part II with 60% per subsection

Exam Fee

$550-$650 (varies by ACI sponsoring group) (American Concrete Institute)

ACI Post-Installed Anchor Inspector Exam Content Outline

20%

IBC Chapter 17 Special Inspections

Statement of special inspections, Table 1705.3, continuous vs periodic inspection for post-installed anchors, sustained-tension overhead adhesive rule, final report of special inspections

20%

ACI 318-19 Chapter 17 Anchoring to Concrete

Design basis, cracked vs uncracked concrete, effective embedment (h_ef), edge distance (c_a), spacing, φ factors, Condition A/B, tension and shear failure modes

15%

ACI 355.2 and 355.4 Product Qualification

ACI 355.2 mechanical anchor qualification, ACI 355.4 adhesive qualification, sensitivity categories, seismic qualification, ICC-ES AC193 and AC308 acceptance criteria

15%

Mechanical Anchor Installation and Inspection

Wedge, drop-in, sleeve, undercut, and screw anchors; hole drilling and depth; torque-controlled vs displacement-controlled setting; MPII torque values; setting tools

15%

Adhesive Anchor Installation and Inspection

Hole cleaning sequences (2x2x2), brush and compressed-air requirements, bottom-up injection, waste bead, mixing nozzles, anchor insertion, gel time vs cure time, temperature effects, overhead installations

15%

Product Verification, Proof Loading, and Documentation

ICC-ES ESR and WH/UL evaluation reports, MPII on site, ASTM E488 field proof load testing, daily inspection logs, discrepancy reports, final reports to the building official

How to Pass the ACI Post-Installed Anchor Inspector Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 74% Part I; 70% overall Part II with 60% per subsection
Assessment: Part I—Installation (closed-book, 45 MC, 45 min) + Part II—Inspection (open-book, 90 MC, 2 hr)
Time limit: 45 minutes (Part I) + 2 hours (Part II)
Exam fee: $550-$650 (varies by ACI sponsoring group)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

ACI Post-Installed Anchor Inspector Study Tips from Top Performers

1Know the difference between torque-controlled (wedge) and displacement-controlled (drop-in) expansion anchors cold — Part I closed-book will test this

2Memorize the 2x2x2 adhesive hole cleaning sequence and the meaning of gel time vs full cure time — these are high-frequency test items

3Learn which post-installed anchor types require continuous vs periodic inspection under IBC Table 1705.3, and specifically the sustained-tension overhead adhesive rule from ACI 318-19 Section 17.1.2

4Read the full ACI 318-19 Chapter 17 text — pay attention to symbols (h_ef, c_a1, N_sa, N_cb, ψ_c,N), edge distance and spacing modification factors, and Condition A/B reinforcement

5Practice reading an ICC-ES ESR or AC193/AC308 evaluation report for a real product — identify approved hole diameter, minimum embedment, edge distance, spacing, and cracked-concrete/seismic qualification

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ACI Post-Installed Concrete Anchor Installation Inspector exam format?

The exam has two parts. Part I—Installation is a closed-book 45-minute written exam with 45 multiple-choice questions requiring a minimum 74% to pass. Part II—Inspection is an open-book 2-hour written exam with 90 multiple-choice questions requiring 60% minimum on each subsection PLUS a 70% overall score. Both parts must be passed for certification. Before testing, candidates must complete either the ACI Adhesive Anchor Installer certification, a live hands-on practice session, or an instructor-guided installation video.

How is this exam different from the ACI Adhesive Anchor Installation Inspector?

The Post-Installed Concrete Anchor Installation Inspector is broader in scope — it covers BOTH mechanical anchors (wedge, drop-in, screw, sleeve, undercut) and adhesive anchors. The older Adhesive Anchor Installation Inspector credential focused only on adhesive anchors. Both programs reference ACI 318 Chapter 17 and IBC Chapter 17, but the post-installed inspector must also understand ACI 355.2 mechanical anchor qualification, torque-controlled and displacement-controlled expansion mechanisms, and screw anchor installation.

What does IBC Chapter 17 require for post-installed anchor inspection?

IBC Section 1705.1.1 and Table 1705.3 require special inspection of post-installed anchors installed in hardened concrete. Mechanical anchors generally require PERIODIC inspection. Adhesive anchors installed horizontally or upwardly inclined to resist sustained tension loads require CONTINUOUS inspection — the inspector must witness every step of drilling, cleaning, adhesive injection, and anchor insertion. The inspector must verify conformance to the approved construction documents, the manufacturer's printed installation instructions (MPII), and the product's ICC-ES evaluation service report (ESR).

How long is ACI Post-Installed Concrete Anchor Installation Inspector certification valid?

The certification is valid for 5 years from the date of successful completion of all requirements. Recertification is accomplished by retesting both the Part I (Installation) and Part II (Inspection) written exams. ACI does not currently offer recertification by continuing education alone for this credential.

What does the Part II open-book exam allow as references?

Part II is open-book for specific reference documents — typically the ACI CP-81 Study Bundle, which includes ACI 318-19 Chapter 17, ACI 355.2, ACI 355.4, IBC Chapter 17, and the Job Task Analysis (JTA). Candidates may also bring manufacturer MPII documents and ICC-ES evaluation reports. Part I (Installation) is CLOSED-book, so candidates must memorize hole cleaning sequences, torque values, setting tool use, and other installation procedures prior to taking Part I.