1.1 S1 Exam Modules, Approved References & Code Editions

Why the Module Structure Matters

The ICC Structural Steel and Bolting Special Inspector (S1) certification is not one exam. ICC delivers it as separate modules, and each module has its own question count, time limit, book policy and content outline. A candidate who studies S1 as a single subject usually over-prepares for code lookups and under-prepares for the closed-book plan module, or the reverse. This section sets out the structure so the rest of the guide can be read against it.

The Three Modules

ICC's exam catalog lists these requirements for the Structural Steel and Bolting Special Inspector certification:

1. Pass GR – Special Inspector General Requirements, or hold an active ICC Special Inspector certification.
2. Pass S1C – Structural Steel and Bolting Codes.
3. Pass S1P – Structural Steel and Bolting Plans.

All three modules are offered through PRONTO (remote online proctoring or in-person testing). ICC National Certification exams use a scaled passing score of 75. For S1C, the catalog adds that candidates may bring copyrighted, bound books, but not training materials such as presentations, study guides or practice questions, and that exam questions are based solely on the approved reference list.

Official Content Outlines

The S1C weights show where the code questions are: almost two-thirds of S1C is high-strength bolting. The S1P weights show the opposite emphasis: two-thirds of the plan module is framing orientation, member sizes and base plates.

What Is Inside the Approved Manual

The S1C reference is the AISC Steel Construction Manual, and the standards you need are bound into its Part 16:

Other Manual parts you will use often are Part 1 (shape dimensions and properties), Part 2 (material specifications), Part 7 (bolt design aids and dimensions) and Part 14 (base plates, including Table 14-2 for anchor rod holes and plate washers).

Edition Differences That Change Answers

Because ICC accepts either edition, learn the values that differ. Later sections give the detail.

Newer documents exist—RCSC published 2020 and 2025 editions, and AISC has issued AISC 360-22—but the S1C approved reference is the 14th or 15th Edition Manual. Where this guide mentions a newer rule, it labels it as a later edition.

Study Strategy by Module

• GR: Tab IBC Chapter 17 (Sections 1703 through 1705) and Chapter 1 (Sections 102 through 104), and learn where the report and discrepancy language sits.
• S1C: Tab Manual Part 16.2 (RCSC Sections 2 through 10) and Part 16.1 (AISC 360 Chapters J, M and N). Know the RCSC table numbers: Table 2.1 (nut and washer compatibility), Table 3.1 (holes), Table 6.1 (washers), Table 7.1 (pre-installation pretension), Table 8.1 (minimum pretension) and Table 8.2 (turn-of-nut rotation).
• S1P: Practice extracting member sizes, grid locations, bolt callouts, hole types and base plate data from drawings without any reference, because none is allowed.