ICC B2 exam outline: seven areas and weights
The ICC B2 Commercial Building Inspector exam is the International Code Council's certification exam for inspectors of commercial buildings. ICC's B2 outline gives 80 multiple-choice questions in 210 minutes, open book, and splits them across seven areas, each with a weight. Study the heavy areas first, and use your free check to see where your own score trails the weight.
- Questions
- 80
- Time
- 210 minutes
- Where
- see format.delivery (unconfirmed for B2)
The seven areas
- Public safety and special construction (31%): close to a third of the exam.
- Wall construction and coverings (21%).
- Building planning (20%).
- Footings and foundations (8%) and floor construction (8%).
- General administration (6%) and roof and ceiling construction (6%).
The exam in brief
- Length: 80 multiple-choice questions in 210 minutes.
- Book: open book.
- Code years: ICC offers the B2 on the 2021 and 2024 International Codes, and you choose the code year.
- What to confirm with ICC: the books allowed in the exam, the passing score and how the exam is delivered. Our saved copies of ICC's pages do not state them, so we do not name them here. Check ICC's current exam information before you book or buy references.
Not sure whether B2 is the exam you need? Read B1, B2 or R5: which ICC inspector exam.
Taking the residential exam first? The ICC B1 exam outline covers its areas, and the free B1 check scores you on them.
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Building Planning
A tenant fit-out plan shows a restaurant with a bar and seating for 120 patrons, plus a kitchen. No other uses share the space. Which occupancy classification applies?
Press A-D or 1-4 to choose an answer while this question is on screen.
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Sources
Show the list
- B2 Commercial Building Inspector content outline, International Code Council, read 21 October 2026.
- Current certification exams, national exams, International Code Council, read 21 October 2026.
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Exam facts
| Questions | 80 |
| Time | 210 minutes |
| Book | open |
| Question types | multiple choice |
| Passing | unconfirmed: no saved B2 source states a pass score |
| Where you test | see format.delivery (unconfirmed for B2) |
What the exam covers
| General Administration | 6% |
| Building Planning | 20% |
| Footings and Foundations | 8% |
| Floor Construction | 8% |
| Wall Construction and Coverings | 21% |
| Roof/Ceiling Construction | 6% |
| Public Safety and Special Construction | 31% |
Sources
Show the 3 sources
- iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/b2_content.pdf (checked 2026-10-21)
- iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/Current-Certification-Exams-National-Exams.pdf (checked 2026-10-21)
- shop.iccsafe.org/education-and-certification/certification/national-certification/commerci (checked 2026-10-21)
Facts come from International Code Council's own documents (sources above); the latest source retrieval was . If something has changed, tell us and we will correct it within 2 business days.
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