ICC Commercial Energy Inspector / Plans Examiner with ASHRAE 90.1 - CE Exam Book Package

The ICC Commercial Energy Inspector / Plans Examiner with ASHRAE 90.1 - CE Exam Book Package is designed for students preparing for the ICC CE Commercial Energy Inspector / Plans Examiner with ASHRAE 90.1 exam using the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code and ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2019 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings. This package gives students the core references needed to study commercial energy inspection, commercial energy plan review, energy code compliance paths, building envelope requirements, mechanical system efficiency, service water heating, electrical power, and lighting system provisions.

The CE exam combines commercial energy inspection and plans examiner knowledge with ASHRAE 90.1. Students preparing for this exam should be comfortable working with both the International Energy Conservation Code and ASHRAE 90.1 because commercial energy compliance can involve different code paths, documentation methods, and system-specific requirements. The exam measures a candidate’s ability to understand energy code provisions and apply them to commercial construction documents, approved plans, and field inspection conditions.

This exam book package is useful for commercial energy inspectors, plans examiners, building department personnel, contractors, design professionals, energy code consultants, architects, engineers, permit review staff, and students who want to strengthen their understanding of commercial energy code compliance. Commercial energy work requires knowledge across several systems, including the building thermal envelope, mechanical equipment, service water heating, lighting, controls, electrical power, commissioning-related documentation, and compliance reporting.

The 2021 International Energy Conservation Code is a central reference for commercial energy code requirements. Students should focus on commercial provisions and learn how the code organizes administration, construction documents, building envelope requirements, mechanical systems, service water heating, electrical power, lighting systems, additional efficiency requirements, and compliance paths. Because this exam includes ASHRAE 90.1, students should also study how Standard 90.1 addresses energy efficiency requirements for buildings other than low-rise residential buildings.

ASHRAE 90.1 is an important commercial energy standard used for building energy compliance. It includes provisions for building envelope, HVAC systems, service water heating, power, lighting, equipment, and performance-based compliance. Students preparing for the CE exam should understand how ASHRAE 90.1 is organized, how it differs from the IECC structure, and how to locate requirements quickly during open-book testing.

The goal of this book package is to help students prepare with the references that matter most for this exam. Since the exam is open book, success depends on more than simply owning the books. Students need to know where the major topics are located, how to use tables and definitions, how to recognize which reference applies to a question, and how to answer efficiently within the exam time limit.

What You Get

• Book: International Energy Conservation Code, 2021
• Book: ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2019 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings (I-P Edition)
• Study Focus: Commercial energy inspection, commercial energy plan review, IECC commercial provisions, ASHRAE 90.1 compliance, building envelope requirements, mechanical systems, service water heating, electrical power, lighting systems, controls, documentation, and compliance paths.

Exam Details

The ICC CE Commercial Energy Inspector / Plans Examiner with ASHRAE 90.1 exam is an ICC certification exam focused on commercial energy code inspection and plan review. The exam includes 70 multiple-choice questions and has a 3.5-hour time limit. Students preparing for the 2021 code version should study the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code and ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2019.

The exam measures a student’s ability to evaluate commercial energy compliance from both plan-review and inspection perspectives. Questions may require direct reference lookup, interpretation of commercial energy provisions, review of building envelope requirements, evaluation of mechanical system efficiency, review of service water heating provisions, analysis of lighting and electrical power requirements, and understanding of ASHRAE 90.1 compliance methods.

Major study areas include commercial building envelope requirements, mechanical systems, service water heating, electrical power and lighting systems, compliance documentation, plan review, field inspection, and ASHRAE 90.1 energy standard provisions. Students should be ready to identify whether a question is focused on the IECC, ASHRAE 90.1, plan documentation, or field inspection verification.

The commercial energy inspector side of the exam focuses on verifying that installed work matches approved construction documents and applicable energy code requirements. This can include insulation, fenestration, air barriers, duct insulation, pipe insulation, equipment efficiency, controls, lighting controls, and required documentation. Students should understand how commercial energy requirements show up in real construction conditions.

The commercial energy plans examiner side of the exam focuses on reviewing construction documents before construction begins. This can include checking whether submitted plans include enough information to evaluate compliance, reviewing envelope values, reviewing mechanical system information, checking lighting schedules and controls, confirming service water heating details, and understanding how selected compliance paths are documented.

ASHRAE 90.1 adds another layer to preparation because it is organized differently from the IECC and contains detailed commercial energy requirements. Students should become familiar with the structure of Standard 90.1, including its building envelope, HVAC, service water heating, power, lighting, and performance-related provisions. Students should also practice recognizing when ASHRAE 90.1 language or tables are more appropriate for a question.

Open Book Test

The ICC CE Commercial Energy Inspector / Plans Examiner with ASHRAE 90.1 exam is an open book test. Open book testing allows students to use approved references, but it still requires careful preparation. Students need to know how both references are organized and how to move quickly between the IECC and ASHRAE 90.1.

Open book does not mean simple. With 70 questions and a 3.5-hour time limit, students must work efficiently and avoid spending too much time in the wrong reference. Because this exam includes two major energy references, students should practice identifying whether a question points to the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code or ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2019 before searching for the answer.

Students should practice using the table of contents, indexes, definitions, section headings, tables, and compliance path language in both books. The IECC commercial provisions and ASHRAE 90.1 both address commercial energy efficiency, but they use different organization and terminology. Becoming familiar with both layouts before exam day helps students answer more confidently and efficiently.

During preparation, students should practice identifying keywords in each question. Terms such as building envelope, fenestration, U-factor, SHGC, air leakage, air barrier, continuous insulation, HVAC efficiency, economizer, service water heating, pipe insulation, lighting power density, lighting control, automatic shutoff, daylight-responsive control, power, commissioning, compliance documentation, and performance path can point students toward the correct section or reference.

Licensing Steps

The ICC CE Commercial Energy Inspector / Plans Examiner with ASHRAE 90.1 credential is earned through the International Code Council certification exam process. Students preparing for the exam should begin by reviewing the required references, studying the exam content areas, learning how each book is organized, and practicing open-book navigation under timed conditions.

A practical preparation path begins with the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code. Students should review the commercial energy provisions, including construction documents, building envelope, mechanical systems, service water heating, electrical power, lighting, additional efficiency provisions, and compliance path language. Students should understand how the IECC supports both plan review and field inspection duties.

Students should then study ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2019. This reference should be reviewed for envelope, HVAC, service water heating, power, lighting, and performance-based compliance provisions. Because ASHRAE 90.1 is a standard rather than an ICC model code, students should spend time learning its structure and terminology before moving into practice questions.

After reviewing the references, students should practice answering open-book questions under timed conditions. The goal is to read the question, identify the subject, choose the correct reference, locate the applicable section or table, and apply the requirement accurately. Timed practice is especially important because the exam covers several technical areas and uses more than one reference.

Students pursuing commercial energy inspector or plans examiner roles should also review the requirements issued by the jurisdiction, employer, building department, or authority having jurisdiction connected to the position they are seeking. ICC certification supports professional credentialing, but local appointment, employment, experience, education, and administrative requirements may vary.

State Requirements

The ICC CE Commercial Energy Inspector / Plans Examiner with ASHRAE 90.1 exam is a national ICC certification exam. It supports energy code inspection and plan review knowledge for commercial buildings and helps demonstrate familiarity with both the IECC and ASHRAE 90.1.

Employment, appointment, or recognition as a commercial energy inspector, energy plans examiner, code official, or plan review professional may depend on the requirements of a jurisdiction, state agency, municipality, building department, employer, or authority having jurisdiction. Additional certifications, experience, education, appointment procedures, or local administrative steps may apply.

This exam book package focuses on the study references for the ICC CE exam. Students should use the listed books to prepare for the technical exam content while also following the requirements of the jurisdiction or employer connected to the role they are pursuing.

Reference Books

• International Energy Conservation Code, 2021
  The primary energy code reference used to study commercial energy conservation requirements, including administration, construction documents, building thermal envelope provisions, mechanical systems, service water heating, electrical power, lighting systems, additional efficiency requirements, and compliance paths.
• ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2019 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings (I-P Edition)
  A commercial energy standard used to study energy efficiency requirements for buildings except low-rise residential buildings, including building envelope, HVAC systems, service water heating, power, lighting, equipment, and performance-based compliance provisions.

Test Information and Study Materials

The CE exam requires students to study commercial energy code compliance from both inspection and plan-review perspectives. Students should begin by learning the layout of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code and ASHRAE 90.1-2019. Since both references cover commercial energy topics, students should practice identifying which reference applies before trying to locate the answer.

Building envelope is one of the most important study areas. Students should review insulation requirements, continuous insulation, roof assemblies, wall assemblies, floor assemblies, slab-edge insulation, fenestration, doors, skylights, U-factors, SHGC values, air leakage, air barriers, vestibules, and documentation. Envelope questions may require table use, climate-related values, or careful reading of assembly requirements.

Mechanical systems should receive focused study time. Students should review HVAC equipment efficiency, controls, economizers, duct insulation, pipe insulation, ventilation-related energy provisions, fan power concepts, system documentation, and commissioning-related provisions. Commercial mechanical energy questions often require students to connect equipment information with energy efficiency requirements.

Service water heating is another important subject. Students should study equipment efficiency, piping insulation, circulation systems, controls, heat traps, pools and spas where applicable, and system documentation. These questions may involve exceptions or small details that require careful reference navigation.

Electrical power and lighting systems should be reviewed in both the IECC and ASHRAE 90.1. Students should focus on lighting power allowances, lighting power density, interior lighting, exterior lighting, automatic shutoff controls, occupancy sensor controls, daylight-responsive controls, space-control requirements, power distribution, metering, and documentation. Lighting questions may involve schedules, space types, control requirements, and exceptions.

Compliance paths should be studied carefully. Commercial buildings may demonstrate energy compliance through different methods, and students should understand how documentation supports the chosen path. The IECC and ASHRAE 90.1 include provisions that may affect prescriptive compliance, performance approaches, and trade-off concepts. Students should know where these provisions are located and how they relate to construction documents and inspections.

Plan review preparation should include reviewing what the construction documents need to show. Energy plans may include insulation values, fenestration data, mechanical equipment schedules, duct and pipe insulation, lighting fixture schedules, lighting control notes, service water heating information, and compliance reports. A plans examiner must understand whether the submitted information is enough to evaluate code compliance.

Inspection preparation should include verifying that installed materials and systems match approved documents and applicable code requirements. Students should think through how energy provisions appear in the field, including insulation installation, air barrier continuity, fenestration labeling, mechanical equipment information, duct and pipe insulation, lighting controls, and required certificates or documentation.

The best study strategy combines reading, reference navigation, and timed practice. Students should practice finding sections quickly, reading tables accurately, recognizing exceptions, and confirming answers under exam-like conditions. The goal is to make both references familiar before test day so they can be used as working tools rather than unfamiliar books.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps students prepare for the ICC Commercial Energy Inspector / Plans Examiner with ASHRAE 90.1 CE exam by organizing the key references needed for focused study. This book package supports students who want to build familiarity with commercial energy code provisions, improve reference navigation, and prepare for the open-book exam format using the listed materials.

Open book exams reward students who know how to use the references efficiently. Many students assume that having the books available during the exam will make the test simple, but commercial energy questions often require fast movement between technical topics. Students must understand the issue, select the correct reference, locate the applicable provision, and apply it accurately.

This package gives students the books needed to study the major CE exam topics. The 2021 International Energy Conservation Code supports commercial energy code provisions used in plan review and inspection. ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2019 supports energy standard requirements for buildings except low-rise residential buildings, including envelope, HVAC, service water heating, power, and lighting provisions.

1 Exam Prep’s approach is practical and exam-focused. Students can use this package to create a study schedule, review major topics, practice moving through the books, and become more comfortable with commercial energy code language. While no book package can guarantee an exam result, organized preparation can help students improve familiarity, reduce uncertainty, and approach the CE exam with a stronger plan.

FAQ Section

What exam does this book package help me prepare for?

This package helps students prepare for the ICC CE Commercial Energy Inspector / Plans Examiner with ASHRAE 90.1 exam. It is focused on commercial energy inspection, commercial energy plan review, IECC requirements, and ASHRAE 90.1 provisions.

What books are included in this package?

This package includes the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code and ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2019 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings (I-P Edition).

Is the ICC CE exam open book?

Yes. The ICC CE Commercial Energy Inspector / Plans Examiner with ASHRAE 90.1 exam is an open book test. Students should prepare by learning how to use both listed references quickly and accurately.

How many questions are on the CE exam?

The ICC CE exam includes 70 multiple-choice questions.

How much time do I get for the exam?

The exam has a 3.5-hour time limit. Students should practice under timed conditions because the exam requires quick navigation between commercial energy references.

What topics should I study for the CE exam?

Students should study commercial energy plan review, field inspection, building envelope requirements, mechanical systems, service water heating, electrical power, lighting systems, controls, documentation, compliance paths, and ASHRAE 90.1 provisions.

How is this exam different from a standard commercial energy inspector exam?

This exam includes both commercial energy inspector and plans examiner knowledge with ASHRAE 90.1 as a major reference. Students should prepare for plan review, inspection verification, IECC commercial provisions, and ASHRAE 90.1 energy standard requirements.

Does this package include a course?

This product is an exam book package. It includes the listed books for exam preparation.

Does this package include pricing?

Pricing is not listed on this page because no package price was provided for this product.

Can this package guarantee that I will pass the exam?

No. This package does not guarantee an exam result. It is designed to support preparation by helping students study the required references, improve reference navigation, and build confidence with commercial energy exam topics.