Philadelphia Pennsylvania Demolition Class B Contractor (ICC - 468_PA_PH) - Online Exam Prep

Philadelphia Pennsylvania Demolition Class B Contractor (ICC - 468_PA_PH) - Online Exam Prep

Demolition work in Philadelphia demands more than field experience. The City expects contractors and key personnel to understand local code requirements, safe job planning, and OSHA standards that protect workers, neighbors, and the public right-of-way. If you’re preparing for the International Code Council (ICC) Philadelphia Demolition Class B examination (exam ID 468_PA_PH), this online exam prep is built to help you study with purpose, organize your references, and walk into test day with a clear plan.

Philadelphia’s Demolition Class B credential supports licensing for contractors performing full demolition on buildings within defined limits. That means your exam prep needs to blend code navigation with practical safety decision-making—from site preparation and utility coordination to demolition sequencing and hazard controls. This course focuses on the exact reference set used for the exam so you can practice finding answers efficiently, not just reading pages.

Whether you’re a first-time test taker, returning after time away, or leveling up to meet company staffing needs for a named demolition supervisor role, this prep helps you turn large code volumes into a manageable study routine.

What You Get

• Online exam prep built for ICC 468_PA_PH: structured review that aligns with the exam’s major content areas (job assessment, site preparation, demolition, and safety).
• Reference-driven study approach: practice that emphasizes where to find information fast across the IBC, Philadelphia amendments, and OSHA CFR parts.
• Test-day navigation strategies: learn how to tab, highlight, and organize your books for quick lookups under timed conditions.
• Trade-focused confidence building: reinforce safe demolition planning concepts that show up in both code language and real jobsite decisions.

Exam Details

The Philadelphia Demolition Class B exam (ICC 468, Pennsylvania/Philadelphia) is a contractor/trades examination administered through Pearson VUE. The exam is made up of 30 multiple-choice questions with a 1.5-hour time limit. The ICC bulletin lists the exam fee through Pearson VUE as $115.

Content for the Class B exam is organized around the following areas and reference sources:

• Job Assessment (20%): 2021 International Building Code (IBC)
• Site Preparation (30%): OSHA 29 CFR 1904
• Demolition (20%): OSHA 29 CFR 1926
• Safety (30%): OSHA 29 CFR 1910
• Philadelphia Demolition Examination Study Guide: used as part of the reference set for Philadelphia demolition testing

Philadelphia issues two demolition license categories—Class A and Class B. Class B generally applies to complete demolition of buildings that meet the City’s thresholds (for example: no more than three stories, a maximum height of 40 feet, and a maximum area of 10,000 sq. ft.). If your projects exceed those thresholds, Class A may apply instead. Always confirm the license class that matches your scope of work before applying.

Open Book Test

The Philadelphia Demolition Class B examination is an open book test. Approved reference materials are allowed, and the Philadelphia demolition study guide notes that the Philadelphia Code-focused guide may be brought to the testing site for reference during the exam. Because open-book exams are still timed, success comes from being able to locate answers quickly—this prep emphasizes speed, indexing, and smart reference organization.

Licensing Steps

Passing the exam is one part of the City of Philadelphia licensing process. Demolition licensing is handled by the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I), and applicants must meet several administrative and safety-related requirements. Below is a practical step-by-step overview of how candidates commonly move from exam prep to a completed application.

1. Confirm the correct license class for your work: Class B is intended for complete demolition within the City’s limits for building size/height/stories. If your work includes larger structures or “major building” criteria, verify whether Class A applies.
2. Prepare for and pass the ICC exam (468_PA_PH): schedule through Pearson VUE, study your approved references, and test.
3. Identify your key personnel for the application: the City requires named roles such as a demolition site safety manager and a demolition supervisor (details below).
4. Gather business and tax documentation: the City requires business registration items and current tax compliance for the applicant.
5. Secure insurance coverage and a license bond: minimum coverage amounts and bond requirements must match the City’s standards for the license class.
6. Submit the application through the City’s licensing process: apply online through the City system or in person with an appointment, then respond promptly to any requests for corrections or additional documentation.
7. Maintain compliance and renew on time: keep your insurance active, keep key personnel credentials current, and renew before the due date to avoid late charges.

State Requirements

Philadelphia demolition licensing is a city requirement administered by Philadelphia L&I. For a Class B demolition contractor license application, the City’s published requirements include the following categories. This section is written to help you understand what the City typically asks for so you can plan your timeline and documentation while you study.

Business licenses and registrations

• Business Income and Receipts Tax ID (BIRT)
• Commercial Activity License

Insurance (minimums listed by the City)

• General Liability: $2,000,000 per occurrence
• Automobile Liability: $300,000
• Worker’s Compensation: $100,000 per accident; $100,000 per employee; $500,000 policy limit

The City of Philadelphia must be named as the certificate holder on the required Certificate of Insurance.

License bond

• Class B bond: $10,000 license bond with an original seal

The bond must be issued by a surety company authorized to do business in Pennsylvania and meeting the City’s underwriting limitation standard.

Named demolition site safety manager

• OSHA 30 safety training: proof of completion of an approved OSHA 30 safety training course taken within five years of the application date
• Proof of employment: documentation such as a pay stub or W-2

The City notes that a site safety manager can only be employed by one company.

Named demolition supervisor

• Proof of exam completion: successful completion of the Philadelphia Demolition Contractor Examination (Class A or Class B), administered by the International Code Council
• Timing requirement: the exam must reference the current version of the Philadelphia Code and associated standards, or the application must be submitted within 12 months of successful completion of the exam
• Proof of employment: documentation such as a pay stub or W-2

The City notes that a demolition supervisor may only be employed by one company.

Fees and renewal

• License fee: $253 (includes a non-refundable $20 application fee applied to the license fee)
• Renewal fee: $253

If renewal occurs more than 60 days after the due date, the City indicates a late charge of 1.5% of the license fee for each month since the license expired.

Reference Books

Your exam prep is only as effective as the way you use your references. The Class B demolition exam is designed to test your ability to apply code and safety rules using the approved publications. Use the list below to build your study plan and organize your materials for fast navigation.

• International Building Code, 2021
  The primary model code reference used for job assessment and code-based demolition considerations tied to building safety, construction features, and compliance concepts referenced in exam scenarios.
• Philadelphia Building Code Amendments
  Local Philadelphia code amendments that modify or supplement model code provisions. These local rules shape permit-related expectations and demolition-specific requirements within the City.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA) (Includes 1904)
  OSHA Construction standards used for demolition planning, site controls, and construction-phase safety requirements. This reference supports exam questions connected to demolition work practices and jobsite safety management.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR 1910
  OSHA General Industry standards used for broader safety requirements, hazard control principles, and compliance obligations that can intersect with demolition operations.
• Philadelphia Demolition Examination Study Guide
  An official Philadelphia demolition study guide used to support the Class A and Class B examinations, compiling Philadelphia code provisions and local amendments related to demolition. It is designed to help candidates focus on Philadelphia-specific content.

Test Information and Study Materials

Because this is a code-based, reference-driven exam, your goal isn’t to memorize every requirement—it’s to build a system. The best candidates approach ICC demolition testing with three priorities: (1) understand what the question is really asking, (2) know which book is most likely to hold the answer, and (3) find the exact section quickly without burning time.

How to organize your books for faster lookups

• Create a “map” for each reference: write a simple one-page outline of what each book is best for (for example: IBC for code-based building considerations; OSHA 1926 for construction and demolition work practices; OSHA 1910 for general safety standards).
• Tab by topic, not by page count: use tabs to mark recurring demolition themes such as utilities, protections for the public, demolition planning, safety responsibilities, and key OSHA subparts you expect to return to frequently.
• Practice with timed drills: open-book does not mean unlimited time. Short drills teach you to choose the right reference quickly and confirm details efficiently.

What the exam is really measuring

Philadelphia demolition testing blends local code awareness with OSHA-driven safety compliance. Expect questions that push you to think like a responsible demolition contractor: identifying hazards, planning controls, sequencing work appropriately, and recognizing when Philadelphia-specific requirements apply. The ICC bulletin also indicates the exam is multiple-choice with four options, so your ability to eliminate wrong answers—using the exact language in your references—can be just as valuable as finding the “perfect” section immediately.

Study focus areas that commonly matter for demolition candidates

• Job assessment basics: recognizing what conditions affect the demolition approach and compliance responsibilities.
• Site preparation decisions: pre-work planning, documentation awareness, and readiness steps tied to safe site operations.
• Demolition work practices: safe execution concepts and controls tied to demolition operations under OSHA construction standards.
• Safety systems: hazard recognition, protective practices, and baseline compliance expectations supported by OSHA references.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

Preparing for the Philadelphia Demolition Class B exam is different from preparing for a purely technical trade test. You’re working across multiple large references, and the exam is timed—so confidence comes from structure. 1 Exam Prep helps you build that structure.

Instead of treating the code books like a reading assignment, this prep encourages a practical, contractor-friendly routine: learn what each content area represents, practice identifying which reference applies, and repeat timed lookups until you can navigate your materials without hesitation. You’ll develop a more reliable way to study—one that supports real jobsite thinking while keeping you aligned with the references the exam is based on.

As you move through the course, you’ll also reinforce trade-focused judgment: how to approach demolition planning, how to spot safety issues that create compliance risk, and how to interpret code language the way an examiner expects. The result is preparation that feels organized and repeatable—so you’re not cramming, you’re building a system you can rely on.

FAQ

Who is this online exam prep for?

This prep is designed for anyone studying for the ICC 468_PA_PH Philadelphia Demolition Class B exam, including new applicants, working demolition professionals, and companies preparing a named demolition supervisor to meet City licensing requirements.

Is the Philadelphia Demolition Class B exam open book?

Yes. The ICC Philadelphia bulletin lists the Demolition Class B exam as open book, and Philadelphia’s demolition study guide states the guide may be brought to the test site for reference during the examination.

How many questions are on the 468_PA_PH exam, and how long do I have?

The ICC bulletin lists the Class B demolition exam as 30 multiple-choice questions with a 1.5-hour time limit.

Where do I take the exam?

The ICC bulletin lists testing through Pearson VUE. Pearson VUE offers options for scheduling based on ICC’s contractor/trades exam program availability.

What references should I study?

The exam’s reference set includes the 2021 International Building Code, Philadelphia Building Code amendments / Philadelphia code provisions, and OSHA references including 29 CFR 1904, 29 CFR 1926, and 29 CFR 1910. This product page also lists the references you provided, plus the official Philadelphia Demolition Examination Study Guide used for Philadelphia demolition testing.

Do I need a demolition license for interior or partial demolition in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia notes that a demolition contractor license is required to tear down or demolish a building, and that the demolition license is not required for interior or partial demolition work, which can be performed under other contractor licenses.

What is the difference between Class A and Class B demolition licensing in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia describes two categories: Class A allows complete demolition of any structure, while Class B allows complete demolition of a building within the City’s listed limits (such as stories, height, and area thresholds). If your work goes beyond those limits, you should review whether Class A applies.

What does Philadelphia require besides passing the exam?

Philadelphia licensing requirements include business registrations (such as a BIRT ID and Commercial Activity License), meeting insurance minimums, posting the appropriate license bond for the class, identifying required personnel (including a demolition site safety manager with OSHA 30 training and a demolition supervisor with proof of exam completion), and being current on City taxes.

How should I study for an open-book demolition exam?

Open-book success comes from navigation. Focus on learning which reference answers which type of question, tabbing and organizing your books by topic, and practicing timed lookups so you can confirm details quickly under exam conditions.