100+ Free ICC C5 Practice Questions
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Per IPC Table 422.1, what is the minimum number of water closets required for a Group B (Business) occupancy with 100 occupants (50 male / 50 female)?
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Key Facts: ICC C5 Exam
4 Exams
Components Required
B2 + E2 + M2 + P2
285 Qs
Approximate Total
Across all four components
75
Passing Score
Scaled, each component
Open Book
Exam Format
All four components
$85+
Fee per Component
ICC member rate
IBC+NEC
Core Codes
Plus IMC and IPC
The ICC C5 is earned by passing four open-book component exams (B2 + E2 + M2 + P2) with a scaled score of 75 on each. Component fees run $85-$170 each (totals $400-$700). The combined scope covers IBC (Building), NEC (Electrical), IMC (Mechanical), and IPC (Plumbing) commercial code enforcement. Plan 300-500 study hours across 20-30 weeks. Two-thirds of new C5 candidates already hold one or more of the four component certifications individually before applying.
Sample ICC C5 Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your ICC C5 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Per IBC Section 302, which occupancy group classifies a building used for office, professional, or service-type transactions including outpatient clinics and post-secondary educational facilities?
2Under IBC Table 601, what is the required fire-resistance rating for the primary structural frame of a Type II-A building?
3Per IBC Section 1004.5, what occupant load factor (gross) is used to calculate the occupant load of a business area?
4Per IBC Section 1011.5.2, what is the maximum allowed riser height and minimum tread depth for stairways serving an occupant load of 50 or more?
5Per IBC Section 1020.2, what is the minimum corridor width for a corridor serving an occupant load of 50 or more in a non-healthcare commercial building?
6Per IBC Section 1010.1.1, what is the minimum clear width of an egress door measured between the face of the door and the stop with the door open 90 degrees?
7Per IBC Section 903.2.1.2, an automatic sprinkler system is required throughout a Group A-2 occupancy when the fire area exceeds what threshold?
8Per IBC Section 1004.5, what occupant load factor is used for unconcentrated assembly areas with tables and chairs (such as conference rooms)?
9Per IBC Section 1009 and Chapter 11, how many accessible means of egress are required from each accessible space?
10Per IBC Section 1109.2, what is the minimum number of accessible toilet stalls required in a multi-stall restroom?
About the ICC C5 Exam
The ICC Commercial Combination Inspector (C5) is a combination designation awarded by the International Code Council to inspectors who pass all four commercial inspector component exams: B2 Commercial Building Inspector (IBC), E2 Commercial Electrical Inspector (NEC), M2 Commercial Mechanical Inspector (IMC), and P2 Commercial Plumbing Inspector (IPC). The C5 demonstrates broad authority to inspect commercial construction across all four trades and is commonly required in mid-sized jurisdictions where a single inspector covers multiple trades. Each component exam is open book with a scaled passing score of 75, taken separately via Pearson VUE or ICC PRONTO. The C5 is part of a wider ICC family of combination credentials including the C3 Combination Plans Examiner, R5 Residential Combination Inspector, and C8 (all eight residential + commercial inspector designations).
Assessment
Four component exams: B2 (~80 Qs) + E2 (~80 Qs) + M2 (~50 Qs) + P2 (~75 Qs)
Time Limit
Varies per component; ~12 hours total (B2 ~3.5 h, E2 ~3 h, M2 ~2 h, P2 ~3 h)
Passing Score
Scaled 75 per component
Exam Fee
$85-$170 per component; ~$400-$700 total (ICC (Pearson VUE / PRONTO))
ICC C5 Exam Content Outline
B2 — Occupancy & Construction Type
IBC Chapters 3-5: classification of use groups, construction types I-V, fire-resistance Table 601, allowable height and area Tables 504/506
B2 — Means of Egress
IBC Chapter 10: occupant load, exit access, exits, stairs, corridors, doors, travel distance, exit signage
B2 — Accessibility & Fire Protection
IBC Chapters 7-11: fire-rated assemblies, sprinklers, accessible routes, accessible toilets, areas of refuge per ICC A117.1
E2 — Services, Feeders, Branch Circuits
NEC Articles 110, 210, 215, 220, 230, 240: commercial service equipment, feeder sizing, load calculations, GFCI, OCPDs
E2 — Grounding, Motors, Hazardous Locations
NEC Articles 250, 408, 430, 450, 500-517: grounding electrode systems, panelboards, motor protection, transformer vaults, Class I-III locations
M2 — Ventilation & Equipment
IMC Chapters 3-4 and 9: ventilation rates per Table 403.3, equipment installation, fuel-gas equipment per IFGC
M2 — Kitchen Exhaust, Ducts & Refrigeration
IMC Chapters 5-7 and 10-11: Type I/II hoods, duct construction, fire dampers, boilers, refrigeration machinery rooms
P2 — Fixtures, Drainage, & Vents
IPC Chapters 4 and 7-9: fixture counts Table 422, drainage slope, trap-to-vent distance, vent terminations
P2 — Water Supply, Backflow, Interceptors
IPC Chapters 6, 8, 10: water distribution sizing, backflow assemblies, grease and oil interceptors, indirect waste
Cross-Discipline Coordination
Commercial kitchens, healthcare, and hazardous locations requiring coordinated B2/E2/M2/P2 inspection knowledge
How to Pass the ICC C5 Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Scaled 75 per component
- Assessment: Four component exams: B2 (~80 Qs) + E2 (~80 Qs) + M2 (~50 Qs) + P2 (~75 Qs)
- Time limit: Varies per component; ~12 hours total (B2 ~3.5 h, E2 ~3 h, M2 ~2 h, P2 ~3 h)
- Exam fee: $85-$170 per component; ~$400-$700 total
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
ICC C5 Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ICC C5 Commercial Combination Inspector designation?
The ICC C5 is a combination designation awarded by the International Code Council when an inspector passes all four ICC commercial inspector component exams: B2 (Commercial Building Inspector, IBC), E2 (Commercial Electrical Inspector, NEC), M2 (Commercial Mechanical Inspector, IMC), and P2 (Commercial Plumbing Inspector, IPC). The C5 is not a single test — it represents the combined authority of four separate certifications. Many mid-sized jurisdictions require C5 for an inspector who covers multiple trades.
How many questions are on each ICC C5 component exam?
Approximate question counts per component: B2 Commercial Building Inspector has approximately 80 questions and a 3.5-hour time limit; E2 Commercial Electrical Inspector has approximately 80 questions and a 3-hour time limit; M2 Commercial Mechanical Inspector has approximately 50 questions and a 2-hour time limit; P2 Commercial Plumbing Inspector has approximately 75 questions and a 3-hour time limit. Always confirm the current question count and time on the ICC exam bulletin for the edition you are testing under.
How much do the ICC C5 component exams cost?
Each component exam runs approximately $85 for ICC members and $170 for non-members, varying slightly by edition and remote vs. test center delivery. The total for all four components is approximately $400-$700 depending on member status. Plan an additional $800-$1,500 for the required I-code books, NEC handbook, and ICC study guides if you do not already own them.
Are the ICC C5 exams open book?
Yes — all four component exams are open book. Approved references include the IBC, NEC, IMC, IPC, IFGC, IECC, ICC A117.1, NFPA 13, NFPA 72, and component-specific ICC study guides. You may tab, highlight, and annotate your books but cannot insert loose papers. Because each question averages roughly 2-3 minutes, knowing where information lives in your books — not memorizing — is the deciding factor.
What jobs can I get with ICC C5 certification?
The C5 designation qualifies you for Commercial Building Inspector, Combination Inspector, Senior Building Inspector, and Inspection Supervisor positions with city, county, and state building departments. Salaries typically range from $65,000 to $110,000 depending on jurisdiction size and cost of living. C5 holders are especially valued in mid-sized cities where one inspector covers multiple trades. The C5 is often a stepping stone to the ICC C8 (all 8 residential + commercial inspector designation) and ICC CBO (Certified Building Official).
How long does it take to earn the ICC C5?
Most candidates need 20-30 weeks (5-7 months) to pass all four components, planning roughly 300-500 hours of total study. Inspectors already certified in one or more components can earn the remaining exams faster. ICC does not impose a window for completing the four exams together — each component is recognized individually, and the C5 designation is awarded once all four have been passed. Many candidates earn the components over 1-2 years as their schedules allow.