Philadelphia Pennsylvania Engineer Grade B (ICC - 311_PA_PH) Ultimate Exam Prep Rental Package

Philadelphia Pennsylvania Engineer Grade B (ICC - 311_PA_PH) Ultimate Exam Prep Rental Package

If you’re pursuing the Philadelphia Engineer Grade B credential, you’re stepping into a license grade focused on refrigeration machinery—and the exam is designed to confirm you can operate, maintain, and troubleshoot refrigeration systems with a safety-first, code-aware mindset. The ICC 311 Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) Engineer Grade B exam is open book, but it’s not a “look everything up” test. You’ll need real working knowledge of refrigeration theory, systems, controls, piping, and refrigerants, along with the ability to quickly locate the right requirements in your approved references.

This Ultimate Exam Prep Rental Package is built to help you prepare efficiently with a structured course plan, the core publications associated with the exam, and an exam-ready approach to open-book testing. You’ll study the fundamentals, practice system-based problem solving, and develop the reference navigation skills that help you stay confident under time pressure.

Engineer Grade B in Philadelphia is commonly described as refrigeration-only scope. That means the exam emphasizes refrigeration cycles, components, and safe operational decision-making—plus the supporting codes that directly influence compliance, installation considerations, and electrical/control understanding. This package keeps your prep focused on what matters most, so you can walk into the test center with a clear plan and a repeatable strategy.

Exam Details

The ICC Philadelphia Contractor/Trades Examination Information Bulletin (published March 15, 2026) lists the 311 Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) Engineer Grade B exam as:

• License Grade: Engineer Grade B (Refrigeration Engineer)
• Exam: 311 Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) Engineer Grade B
• Format: Multiple-choice
• Number of questions: 60
• Time limit: 3 hours
• Testing: Pearson VUE
• Exam fee shown in the bulletin: $115

The same bulletin lists the content areas and weightings for the Grade B exam:

• Theory, Terminology, and General Requirements: 15%
• Compressors and Types of Systems: 10%
• Evaporators, Condensers, and Cooling Towers: 10%
• Piping Inspections and Field Testing: 10%
• Air Duct and Insulation: 10%
• Electrical and Controls: 20%
• Refrigerants: 10%
• Operation Procedures: 5%
• Maintenance Repairs: 10%

The approved reference set listed for the 311 exam includes the International Mechanical Code (2021), International Fuel Gas Code (2021), National Electrical Code (2020), and Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. Your study plan should reflect that combination: refrigeration knowledge supported by mechanical, fuel gas, and electrical fundamentals where they overlap with refrigeration machinery and controls.

Open Book Test

The ICC bulletin lists the 311 Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) Engineer Grade B exam as an open book examination. Open book testing rewards people who prepare the right way:

• Know the concepts first: refrigeration questions often require understanding the “why” behind a system response, not just a definition.
• Use references strategically: the strongest candidates verify details quickly (especially code-based requirements) instead of searching from scratch.
• Build speed with structure: you should be comfortable using indexes, chapter organization, and topic groupings across multiple books.
• Stay calm under time pressure: having a repeatable approach keeps you from getting stuck on one difficult question.

A practical open-book strategy for Grade B preparation is to train “system thinking” and “lookup skill” at the same time. When you practice, ask yourself two questions: (1) what system or component is the question testing, and (2) which reference is most likely to support the correct answer? Over time, that decision becomes automatic—and your pacing improves dramatically.

Licensing Steps

Philadelphia engineer licensing is administered through the City’s trade licensing process. While every applicant’s background is different, the path to an Engineer Grade B license generally includes these steps:

1. Confirm you need Grade B: the City describes Engineer Grade B as refrigeration-only scope.
2. Prepare for the ICC exam: study the Grade B content areas and practice using the approved references in an open-book format.
3. Schedule and pass the exam: the Philadelphia Engineer examination is administered by ICC through Pearson VUE.
4. Submit your City application: complete the Engineer License application process through the City (online or in person).
5. Maintain your license: renew on time and keep required documentation current to avoid late fees and interruptions.

This Ultimate package supports the preparation and application phase with an organized study experience, reference-based practice, and included Application Service so you have support staying on track with the licensing process.

State Requirements

Philadelphia requires an Engineer License for anyone operating or maintaining regulated equipment, including refrigeration machinery. The City classifies Engineer Licenses into four grades and describes Engineer Grade B as refrigeration only. The City’s published requirements for an Engineer License include:

• Proof of certification: proof of successful completion of the Philadelphia Engineer examination of the appropriate grade (administered by ICC).
• Code/version 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.
• Age: at least 18 years old.
• Experience and recommendation: proof of two years’ experience as an engineer or helper documented through federal tax records, plus written recommendations from two licensed engineers.
• Photo identification: a 2 in. x 2 in. color photo.
• License fee and renewal fee: the City lists a $63 license fee and a $63 renewal fee (with a non-refundable application fee applied to the license fee and late renewal charges if renewed more than 60 days after the due date).

Because Grade B is refrigeration-focused, candidates often benefit from approaching requirements like a working operator: maintain clear documentation, track dates carefully, and plan your testing timeline so your application window stays aligned with City expectations.

Reference Books

• Included Book: National Electrical Code, NEC, 2020
  Supports the electrical and controls portion of refrigeration work, including safe electrical concepts, code organization, and the ability to locate requirements quickly when questions involve power, protection, or equipment-related electrical decisions.
• Included Book: International Mechanical Code, 2021
  Provides mechanical code context that can overlap with refrigeration installations, mechanical systems, and compliance-driven decision making. Useful for identifying code structure and locating mechanical requirements efficiently during open-book testing.
• Included Book: International Fuel Gas Code, 2021
  Supports questions that connect to fuel gas considerations where applicable and helps strengthen code navigation skills across the approved reference set.
• Included Book: Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 22nd edition
  A comprehensive refrigeration text that helps you strengthen refrigeration fundamentals, component operation, system behavior, troubleshooting logic, and safe operation practices aligned with a refrigeration engineer’s responsibilities.

Test Information and Study Materials

The Grade B exam outline makes it clear that success is a blend of technical refrigeration knowledge and code-and-reference skill. To prepare efficiently, align your study plan to the weighted categories and build a steady rhythm: learn the concept, practice applying it, then practice finding it in the references.

1) Theory, terminology, and general requirements (15%)
This is your foundation. Focus on the refrigeration cycle, pressure/temperature relationships, heat transfer basics, and the terminology used to describe system states. A strong foundation makes every other section easier because you’ll recognize what the system is doing and why.

2) Compressors and types of systems (10%)
Compressors are the heart of many refrigeration systems, so train yourself to understand compressor roles, common system configurations, and what “normal” looks like. Many questions come down to recognizing symptoms that point to a compressor issue versus a metering device issue or a heat exchange issue.

3) Evaporators, condensers, and cooling towers (10%)
Build confidence with heat exchangers and system performance. Learn what affects capacity, how airflow/water flow changes performance, and what faults look like when a condenser or evaporator isn’t doing its job. This category pairs well with troubleshooting practice.

4) Piping inspections and field testing (10%)
Focus on practical, safety-minded habits: recognizing the purpose of inspections, understanding what field testing is designed to confirm, and identifying how a technician or engineer verifies system integrity. Your goal is to choose answers that reflect safe, disciplined practice.

5) Air duct and insulation (10%)
This category often rewards candidates who understand airflow fundamentals and insulation purposes. Train yourself to recognize when insulation impacts system performance, condensation control, and operational stability.

6) Electrical and controls (20%)
This is the largest single portion of the exam. Build comfort with controls logic, safeties, basic electrical fundamentals as applied to refrigeration equipment, and how control decisions affect operation. Because this area is heavily weighted, it’s also the best place to earn points quickly when you study with focus and repetition.

7) Refrigerants (10%)
Refrigerant knowledge supports safe operation and compliance. Focus on understanding refrigerant behavior, safe handling mindset, and system impacts when refrigerant charge is incorrect. This category also connects directly to troubleshooting logic and operational decisions.

8) Operation procedures (5%)
Even though it’s smaller, operation procedures can be high-value because the questions often reward clear safety thinking. Practice startup/shutdown mindset, monitoring priorities, and what an operator should do first when conditions are abnormal.

9) Maintenance repairs (10%)
Prepare to think like a refrigeration engineer: identify issues, select safe corrective actions, and recognize the difference between a temporary workaround and a compliant repair approach. The strongest answers typically reflect safety and system protection first.

As you study, practice with short timed sessions that build both accuracy and pace. For example, do a set of questions focused only on Electrical and Controls, then spend time locating the supporting sections in your NEC and code references. That kind of repetition builds confidence and helps you avoid losing time during the exam.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports your Engineer Grade B preparation by turning a large, technical subject into a study plan you can follow consistently. Instead of jumping between topics and hoping you covered the right material, you prepare with an organized structure aligned to the exam’s categories—so your effort stays focused where it counts.

With this Ultimate Exam Prep Rental Package, you get support designed around how refrigeration professionals learn and test:

• Organized study guidance: build knowledge in a logical order, from fundamentals through systems, then into controls, troubleshooting, and operations.
• Trade-focused review: study with real-world thinking—how systems behave, what symptoms mean, and what safe responses look like.
• Practice-oriented preparation: reinforce learning by applying concepts to common exam-style scenarios and decision points.
• Reference navigation skill: improve speed using multiple references by practicing “which book first” decisions and building efficient lookup habits.
• Confidence-building structure: steady repetition and targeted practice help you stay calm, manage time, and perform your best on exam day.

The result is a more efficient preparation experience: less wasted time, clearer priorities, and stronger comfort with the open-book format that defines this exam.

FAQ

What exam is this package designed for?

This package is built for the Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) Engineer Grade B exam administered by ICC, identified as ICC - 311_PA_PH.

What does Engineer Grade B mean in Philadelphia?

The City of Philadelphia describes Engineer Grade B as refrigeration only scope under the Engineer License classification system.

Is the ICC 311 Philadelphia Engineer Grade B exam open book?

Yes. The ICC Philadelphia Contractor/Trades Examination Information Bulletin lists the 311 Engineer Grade B exam as open book.

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

The ICC bulletin lists 60 multiple-choice questions with a 3-hour time limit.

Which books are included in this Ultimate Exam Prep Rental Package?

Your included books are National Electrical Code (NEC) 2020, International Mechanical Code 2021, International Fuel Gas Code 2021, and Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (22nd edition).

How long is course access included?

This Ultimate package includes 1 year of course access.

Is Application Service included?

Yes. Application Service is included with this Ultimate package.

What is the total cost for this package?

The package price is $1,465.00 plus a $500.00 refundable deposit, for a total of $1,965.00.

What are the City’s basic requirements for an Engineer License?

The City lists requirements that include proof of passing the Philadelphia Engineer exam of the appropriate grade, being at least 18 years old, providing proof of two years’ experience as an engineer or helper documented through federal tax records, written recommendations from two licensed engineers, and a 2x2 color photo.

How should I study for an open-book refrigeration engineer exam?

Study the concepts first, then practice open-book navigation. Use timed drills so you learn when to answer from knowledge and when to verify quickly in your references. Focus especially on the highest-weight category: Electrical and Controls (20%), while building solid coverage across the rest of the outline.