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A restaurant with 75 occupants is being permitted. Per IBC Chapter 3, what is the occupancy classification?

Group A-2 — Assembly (food/drink consumption)

Group M — Mercantile

Group B — Business

Group A-1 — Assembly (theaters)

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: ICC PT Exam

60 Qs

Exam Questions

Open-book

2 hrs

Time Limit

2 min/question

Passing Score

Scaled score

$240-$320

Exam Fee

ICC member / nonmember

IBC + IZC

Reference Codes

2021 editions

Nationwide

Recognition

ICC certification

The ICC Permit Technician (Exam 14) has 60 multiple-choice questions with a 2-hour time limit in an open-book format. You must score a scaled score of 75 (approximately 75% correct, or about 45 of 60 questions). The exam covers General Administration (39%), Plans and Documents (25%), Legal Aspects (22%), and Zoning and Site Development (14%). The exam fee is approximately $240 for ICC members and $320 for nonmembers. Testing is available at Pearson VUE centers or via ICC PRONTO remote proctoring 24/7. Permitted references include the 2021 IBC and 2021 IZC plus Legal Aspects of Code Administration — verify the current exam bulletin.

Sample ICC PT Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your ICC PT exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A homeowner approaches the permit counter asking whether a permit is required to replace an existing water heater in the same location. Which response is most appropriate for the permit technician?

A.Tell the homeowner that water heater replacements never require a permit

B.Inform the homeowner that a plumbing permit is typically required and explain the application process

C.Direct the homeowner to call the State Plumbing Board for a determination

D.Issue the permit on the spot without an application because it is a like-for-like replacement

Explanation: Per IBC Section 105.1, any owner or owner's authorized agent who intends to install or replace a plumbing system regulated by the code must first apply for a permit. Water heater replacement involves gas, electrical, and plumbing connections that affect life safety. The permit technician's role is to inform applicants of permit requirements and guide them through the process. Exam tip: When in doubt, the answer is almost always that a permit IS required for plumbing, electrical, mechanical, or structural work.

2Per IBC Section 105.2, which of the following work items is most commonly EXEMPT from requiring a building permit?

A.A 250-square-foot detached storage shed

B.A one-story detached accessory structure used as a tool shed not exceeding 200 square feet

C.A retaining wall 6 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing

D.Replacement of a load-bearing wall on the first floor

Explanation: IBC Section 105.2 lists work that is exempt from permit requirements, including one-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet (18.58 m²). Permit exemption does not waive compliance with the code; it only waives the permit. Exam tip: Memorize the 200 sq ft threshold for accessory structures — it appears frequently on Exam 14.

3An applicant submits a building permit application but cannot provide the legal description of the property. According to IBC Section 105.3, what should the permit technician do?

A.Accept the application and process it without the legal description

B.Reject the application until the legal description is provided

C.Estimate the legal description based on the street address

D.Issue a conditional permit pending receipt of the legal description

Explanation: IBC Section 105.3 requires permit applications to identify and describe the work to be covered, identify and describe the land on which the work will occur using legal description or street address, and indicate use and occupancy. Applications missing required information are considered incomplete. The permit technician should not accept incomplete applications because they cannot be properly routed for review. Exam tip: A complete application is a prerequisite for any further processing.

4Per IBC Section 105.5, when does a permit become invalid if work has not commenced?

A.After 60 days

B.After 90 days

C.After 180 days

D.After 365 days

Explanation: IBC Section 105.5 states that every permit issued becomes invalid unless the work authorized by such permit is commenced within 180 days after its issuance, or if the work authorized is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days after the time the work is commenced. The building official is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions for periods not exceeding 180 days each. Exam tip: 180 days is one of the most-tested numbers on Exam 14 — both for permit start and for suspended work.

5An applicant requests an estimate of construction valuation for fee calculation on a permit for a single-family dwelling. Which of the following BEST describes how valuation should be determined per IBC Section 109.3?

A.Use only the materials cost

B.Total value of the work, including materials, labor, finish work, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and permanent equipment

C.Use only the contractor's profit margin

D.Use the appraised market value of the completed building

Explanation: IBC Section 109.3 requires that building permit valuations include the total value of all construction work for which the permit is issued, including but not limited to materials, labor, finish work, painting, roofing, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, elevators, fire-extinguishing systems, and other permanent equipment. The final building permit valuation is set by the building official. Exam tip: Valuation is comprehensive — it is not just materials, and it is not market value.

6Per IBC Section 109.4, what fee applies when work has commenced without a required permit?

A.No additional fee — only the regular permit fee

B.A double fee or investigation fee in addition to the regular permit fee

C.A flat $50 fine

D.Only court-ordered penalties

Explanation: IBC Section 109.4 authorizes the building official to collect a work-without-permit fee (often called an investigation fee) in addition to the required permit fee. This fee is intended to recover the additional administrative cost of investigating unpermitted work and to deter starting work without a permit. The investigation fee does not exempt the applicant from any other penalty prescribed by law. Exam tip: Most jurisdictions set this at 2x the regular permit fee, though the IBC allows the amount to be set locally.

7Per IBC Section 110.1, which of the following is the building official authorized to do regarding inspections?

A.Require inspection only at final completion

B.Conduct inspections of construction work at stages identified in the code

C.Inspect only structural elements

D.Limit inspections to commercial buildings

Explanation: IBC Section 110.1 authorizes the building official to make inspections of construction work or to accept reports of inspection by approved agencies. Required inspections include foundation, framing, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire-resistant construction, energy efficiency, and final inspection per IBC 110.3. Exam tip: Permit technicians need to know the standard inspection sequence to properly schedule and route inspection requests.

8Per IBC Section 111.1, when is a Certificate of Occupancy required?

A.Only when a structure is sold

B.Before a building or structure is used or occupied, or a change of use occurs

C.Only for commercial buildings over 5,000 square feet

D.Only when requested by the owner

Explanation: IBC Section 111.1 requires that no building or structure shall be used or occupied, and no change in the existing occupancy classification of a building or structure or portion thereof shall be made, until the building official has issued a Certificate of Occupancy. The C of O verifies that the building meets code requirements for the intended use. Exam tip: Change of use also triggers a new C of O — not just new construction.

9Per IBC Section 111.3, when is a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) appropriate?

A.When the project is fully complete

B.When portions of a building can be safely occupied prior to completion of the entire structure

C.Only for single-family dwellings

D.Never — only final certificates are allowed

Explanation: IBC Section 111.3 allows the building official to issue a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) before the completion of the entire work covered by the permit, provided that such portion or portions shall be occupied safely. The TCO must specify the conditions and time limits of the temporary occupancy. Exam tip: Permit technicians often process TCO requests and must verify any conditions attached are satisfied before final C of O.

10An applicant arrives confused about which department handles their request. The BEST customer service approach is to:

A.Tell them to figure it out and come back when they know

B.Listen actively, identify the project scope, and direct them to the correct department or staff

C.Process whatever paperwork they have, regardless of scope

D.Refuse service if they do not have a complete application

Explanation: Effective customer service per the Permit Technician role includes interviewing customers, determining their needs, assessing project scope, and directing them appropriately. The 'one-stop' permit counter philosophy emphasizes helping applicants navigate the permitting process even when the project falls outside immediate jurisdiction. Exam tip: Customer service questions reward patience, active listening, and education — never dismissiveness.

About the ICC PT Exam

The ICC Permit Technician (Exam 14) is administered by the International Code Council and certifies individuals to provide technical assistance at the permit counter, ensuring compliance with adopted development regulations and codes. The open-book exam tests knowledge of general administration (permit issuance, fees, customer service, inspections, Certificate of Occupancy), legal aspects (public information, records management, appeals), plans and documents (occupancy classifications, construction types, plan symbols, scales), and zoning/site development (setbacks, easements, right-of-way, lot coverage). ICC Permit Technician certification is recognized nationwide and is the foundational credential for building department staff. Combining Exam 14 with the Commercial Code Specialist (CS) module earns the ICC Permit Specialist (PS) combination designation.

Questions

60 scored questions

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

Scaled 75

Exam Fee

$240 member / $320 nonmember (ICC (Pearson VUE / PRONTO))

ICC PT Exam Content Outline

39%

General Administration

Customer service, project applications, basic building concepts, permit issuance and fees, inspections and Certificate of Occupancy

22%

Legal Aspects

Public information and legal, records management, record research, appeals and revocation processes

25%

Plans and Documents

Review related documents, occupancy groups and construction types, read maps and plats, perform calculations and use scales

14%

Zoning and Site Development

Land use, right-of-way, utilities and easements, site plan review, setbacks and lot coverage

10% (subtopic)

Public Information and Legal

Answering customer questions about approvals, permits, inspections, code compliance, liability, and public disclosure

9% (subtopic)

Project Applications

Verifying prerequisite approvals, completeness, professional/contractor licensing, and signature authority

How to Pass the ICC PT Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Scaled 75
Exam length: 60 questions
Time limit: 2 hours
Exam fee: $240 member / $320 nonmember

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 PT Study Tips from Top Performers

1Tab your IBC extensively — Sections 105 (Permits), 109 (Fees), 110 (Inspections), 111 (Certificate of Occupancy), 113 (Board of Appeals), Chapter 3 (Occupancy Classifications), Chapter 6 (Construction Types), and Table 1004.5 (Occupant Load Factors) are tested constantly

2Memorize the '180-day rule' — it appears multiple times: 180 days from issuance until permit invalidity (IBC 105.5), 180 days of work suspension also invalidates a permit, and 180 days for application abandonment (IBC 107.3.4)

3Focus heavily on General Administration (39% of exam) — customer service, project applications, basic building concepts, permit fees, and Certificate of Occupancy are nearly 40% of your score

4Practice timed open-book code lookups — Exam 14 gives you 2 minutes per question. Drill yourself to find any IBC Chapter 1 section in 30 seconds or less; the open-book format only helps if you can navigate quickly

5Master occupancy classifications cold — Group A (assembly subgroups A-1 to A-5), Group B (business), Group E (educational), Group I (institutional), Group M (mercantile), Group R (residential R-1 to R-4), and Group S (storage); they appear in 6%+ of questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What score do I need to pass the ICC Permit Technician (Exam 14) exam?

The ICC Permit Technician exam requires a scaled score of 75 to pass, which corresponds to approximately 75% of questions answered correctly (about 45 out of 60 questions). If you pass, you see 'PASS' on your results — no numerical score is shown for passing candidates. If you fail, you receive a diagnostic report showing performance by content area. The exam uses scaled scoring set by ICC.

Is the ICC Permit Technician exam open-book?

Yes, ICC Exam 14 is open-book. Permitted references typically include the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) and the 2021 International Zoning Code (IZC), along with Legal Aspects of Code Administration and Basic Code Enforcement texts. You can tab, highlight, and annotate your references. With 2 minutes per question on average, familiarity with IBC navigation is essential. Always check the current exam bulletin for the exact reference list.

How hard is the ICC Permit Technician exam?

ICC Exam 14 is considered moderately difficult. General Administration (39%) and Plans and Documents (25%) make up nearly two-thirds of the exam. The biggest challenge is time pressure — 60 questions in 2 hours requires quick code lookups. Many questions are scenario-based, testing how a permit technician should respond at the counter. Candidates who practice with timed mock exams and have hands-on counter experience tend to perform best.

What references can I bring to the ICC Permit Technician exam?

Permitted references for Exam 14 typically include the 2021 IBC and 2021 IZC, plus Legal Aspects of Code Administration (2017 Edition) and Basic Code Enforcement (2019 Edition). Always verify the current exam bulletin on iccsafe.org for the exact edition years and any additional references. References must be unmarked or tabbed/highlighted only — no inserted notes are allowed beyond what is permitted by ICC rules.

What jobs can I get with ICC Permit Technician certification?

ICC Permit Technician certification qualifies you for permit-counter positions with city, county, and state building departments. Job titles include Permit Technician, Permit Specialist, Plans Coordinator, Building Permit Clerk, and Code Administration Specialist. Average salaries range from $40,000-$65,000 depending on location and experience. The credential is often a prerequisite for promotion within building departments. Combining Exam 14 with the Commercial Code Specialist (CS) module earns the ICC Permit Specialist (PS) designation.

How do I prepare for the ICC Permit Technician (Exam 14) exam?

Start by obtaining the current 2021 IBC and IZC, plus the Legal Aspects and Basic Code Enforcement reference texts. Tab key IBC sections like 105 (Permits), 109 (Fees), 110 (Inspections), 111 (Certificate of Occupancy), 113 (Board of Appeals), Chapter 3 (Occupancy), and Chapter 6 (Construction Types). Use ICC's official study companion and complete at least 3 full-length timed 60-question practice exams. Focus on General Administration (39%) and Plans/Documents (25%) — they are the highest-weighted content areas.

100+ Free ICC PT Practice Questions

ICC Permit Technician (Exam 14)

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