Philadelphia Pennsylvania Engineer Grade B (ICC - 311_PA_PH) - Books & Courses Rental Package

Philadelphia Pennsylvania Engineer Grade B (ICC - 311_PA_PH) - Books & Courses Rental Package

If you’re working toward the City of Philadelphia Engineer Grade B license (Refrigeration only), this Books & Courses Rental Package is built to help you study with the same core code books and technical references used on the ICC 311_PA_PH exam—plus a structured online course experience that keeps your prep focused, organized, and practical.

Engineer Grade B centers on refrigeration knowledge and safe operation practices. That means you’ll want two things as you prepare: (1) strong reference navigation skills in the adopted codes and (2) real-world understanding of refrigeration systems, components, and troubleshooting. This package supports both—so you can build confidence answering questions under timed testing conditions and strengthen the applied knowledge expected of a refrigeration engineer in Philadelphia.

Whether you’re returning to testing after time in the field or preparing for your first attempt, the goal is the same: know where answers live, understand what the codes mean in practice, and train your pace so you can finish with time to review.

What You Get

Pricing

• Package Price: $1,040
• Refundable Deposit: $500
• Total Due Today: $1,540

The refundable deposit is tied to the return of the rental books in acceptable condition under the rental terms.

Exam Details

• Exam Name: Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) Engineer Grade B (ICC 311_PA_PH)
• Scope: Refrigeration Engineer
• Question Format: Multiple-choice
• Number of Questions: 60
• Time Limit: 3 hours
• Testing Provider: Pearson VUE (ICC Contractor/Trades testing)
• Exam Fee (testing center): $115

Content areas commonly emphasized on this exam include:

• Theory, Terminology, and General Requirements (15%) – refrigeration concepts, foundational requirements, and general code-driven expectations.
• Compressors and Types of Systems (10%) – compressor operation, common system types, and how system selection impacts performance and safety.
• Evaporators, Condensers, and Cooling Towers (10%) – heat exchange fundamentals, component identification, and typical operational issues.
• Piping Inspections and Field Testing (10%) – inspection concepts, verification steps, and field-testing considerations tied to safe operation.
• Air Duct and Insulation (10%) – basics of duct/insulation requirements and how they relate to performance and safe installation practices.
• Electrical and Controls (20%) – electrical fundamentals, motor/control concepts, and control-related troubleshooting scenarios.
• Refrigerants (10%) – refrigerant characteristics, safe handling concepts, and system impacts.
• Operation Procedures (5%) – operational best practices, sequencing, and safety awareness.
• Maintenance Repairs (10%) – preventive maintenance, common failures, and practical repair-oriented decision making.

Open Book Test

The Philadelphia Engineer Grade B (311_PA_PH) exam is an open book exam. Success depends on knowing your references well enough to locate answers quickly—because you won’t have time to look up everything during a 3-hour session.

How to use open-book time effectively:

• Build “muscle memory” for navigation: practice locating definitions, tables, and key chapters until it becomes automatic.
• Use focused tabs and clean indexing: label major sections you use repeatedly (definitions, equipment requirements, ventilation/exhaust concepts, fuel gas provisions, electrical basics).
• Don’t over-tab: too many tabs slow you down. Aim for high-value sections only.
• Train with timed drills: open-book exams reward speed plus accuracy—practice answering sets of questions under a countdown.

Licensing Steps

Philadelphia Engineer licensing is handled through the City of Philadelphia. While your exam is a major milestone, the license process also includes documentation and application steps.

1. Pass the required ICC exam for your grade. For Engineer Grade B, this is the Philadelphia Engineer Grade B (311_PA_PH) refrigeration exam.
2. Gather required documentation. The City requires proof of successful exam completion, identification, and supporting experience documentation.
3. Submit your application. Applications can be submitted online through the City’s licensing portal or in person at the Permit and License Center (appointment required for in-person visits).
4. Pay the applicable fees. A non-refundable application fee is applied to the license fee, and the remaining balance is due after approval.
5. Renew annually. Philadelphia Engineer licenses must be renewed every year.

State Requirements

For Philadelphia Engineer licensing (including Engineer Grade B), the City’s requirements include the following key items:

• Grade scope: Engineer Grade B is Refrigeration only.
• Age: Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
• Experience: Two years of experience as an engineer or helper, documented through federal tax records.
• Recommendations: Two written recommendations from two licensed engineers.
• Photo requirement: A 2 in. x 2 in. color photo is required.
• Timing note: 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 exam completion.
• City fees (license): License fee is $63, with a $20 non-refundable application fee applied to the license fee; renewal fee is $63.

Because licensing rules and document requirements can change, always follow the City of Philadelphia instructions for the most current submission requirements and acceptable documentation.

Reference Books

These are the books included with your rental package. Your course work is designed to help you read, interpret, and locate answers inside these references efficiently.

• National Electrical Code (NEC), 2020
  Included Rental Book: Supports electrical fundamentals, controls-related concepts, and code-based electrical requirements that appear in the Engineer Grade B exam content areas—especially where systems interface with power, motors, and control components.
• International Mechanical Code, 2021
  Included Rental Book: Helps you prepare for theory, terminology, general requirements, and mechanical-system provisions that align with refrigeration equipment, installation concepts, and related mechanical requirements.
• International Fuel Gas Code, 2021
  Included Rental Book: Supports questions tied to fuel gas provisions that can intersect with mechanical systems and safety requirements relevant to refrigeration-related work environments.
• Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 22nd edition
  Included Rental Book: A comprehensive refrigeration and air conditioning text that supports system fundamentals, component operation, troubleshooting logic, maintenance concepts, and practical trade understanding that strengthens exam readiness.

Test Information and Study Materials

Because the 311_PA_PH exam is timed and open book, your study plan should balance reference familiarity with practical system knowledge. The strongest candidates prepare in layers—starting broad, then narrowing into test-ready drills.

Recommended study flow:

1. Build a base: Review refrigeration cycle fundamentals, terminology, and key components (compressors, metering devices, evaporators, condensers) until you can explain how changes affect pressure/temperature relationships.
2. Connect to code: Practice finding definitions, requirements, and tables in the IMC, IFGC, and NEC. Your goal is fast retrieval, not memorization of every line.
3. Train controls awareness: Electrical and controls is a major content area. Focus on motors, circuits, control logic, and how electrical requirements tie back to safe operation.
4. Practice maintenance logic: Use troubleshooting scenarios: symptoms, likely causes, confirmation steps, and corrective action. This builds exam confidence and real-world readiness.
5. Timed sets: Finish with timed practice that mirrors test conditions. Learn your pace, refine your tabbing/indexing approach, and identify weak spots.

Practical tips that make a difference on open-book code exams:

• Learn the table of contents: knowing chapter structure can be faster than any tab system.
• Highlight patterns: definitions lead to requirements; requirements often refer you to exceptions; exceptions are where many questions live.
• Use process of elimination: even when you don’t know the answer immediately, you can often eliminate two options quickly by confirming a code limitation or definition.
• Don’t “hunt” too long: if you can’t locate an answer fast, mark it, move on, and return later—time management is everything.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep is built for trade-focused learners who want a clear path from “I have the books” to “I know how to use them under pressure.” This rental package pairs your reference materials with a guided course experience so your study time stays productive and targeted.

• Organized learning path: Your prep is structured around the exam’s core knowledge areas—so you’re not guessing what to study next.
• Reference navigation support: Open-book exams reward speed. We emphasize how to locate information efficiently inside your code books and references.
• Practice-oriented preparation: Study guidance focuses on turning concepts into answerable exam questions, including pacing habits and repeatable methods for finding code-based answers.
• Trade-relevant understanding: Beyond locating code sections, you build the “why” behind refrigeration operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting so you can handle scenario-style questions confidently.
• Confidence through structure: When you know what to study, how to study it, and how to use your references quickly, test day feels far more manageable.

FAQ

What is the Philadelphia Engineer Grade B license used for?

The City of Philadelphia states that Engineer Grade B is for refrigeration only. It’s intended for people who operate or maintain refrigeration machinery within the scope of the City’s Engineer licensing program.

Is the 311_PA_PH exam open book or closed book?

The Philadelphia Engineer Grade B (311_PA_PH) exam is an open book exam.

How many questions are on the 311_PA_PH exam, and how long do I have?

The exam includes 60 multiple-choice questions with a 3-hour time limit.

Who administers the Philadelphia Engineer Grade B exam?

The ICC contractor/trades exams for Philadelphia are administered through Pearson VUE.

What experience is required to apply for a Philadelphia Engineer license?

The City requires two years of experience as an engineer or helper, documented through federal tax records, and two written recommendations from licensed engineers, along with other application requirements.

How long do I have to submit my license application after passing the exam?

The City notes that the exam must reference the current version of the Philadelphia Code and associated standards, or your application must be submitted within 12 months of successful completion of the exam.

How long is course access included with this rental package?

This package includes 6 months of course access.

What is the refundable deposit for?

The refundable deposit is associated with the rental books and is tied to returning the books under the rental terms and in acceptable condition.

Does this package include the exam fee or City license fees?

No. This package covers your books rental and course access. Testing and licensing fees are paid separately to the testing provider and the City of Philadelphia.