Sedgwick County Kansas Residential Building Contractor (C) (ICC - G13-N) Exam Book Package

Sedgwick County Kansas Residential Building Contractor (C) (ICC - G13-N) Exam Book Package

If you’re working toward your Sedgwick County, Kansas Residential Building Contractor (C) credential and your testing requirement is the ICC G13-N exam, the fastest way to feel prepared is to study with the same primary reference the exam is built around. This book package is centered on the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2018—the code book that supports residential construction decisions from permitting through final details.

Residential building contractor exams don’t just test “what you’ve seen in the field.” They test whether you can interpret code intent, apply prescriptive requirements, and make safe, compliant decisions across a wide range of job scenarios. That includes foundations, framing, fire and life safety essentials, egress basics, and the building envelope. This package is designed to keep your studying practical: you’ll spend time inside the code sections that matter most, learn the structure of the IRC, and build confidence locating the information you need under exam conditions.

When your study materials are simple and targeted, your prep becomes more consistent. Instead of jumping between scattered resources, you can build a routine that focuses on reading the code, practicing navigation, and reinforcing how the IRC organizes requirements (definitions, scope, structural chapters, fire safety topics, and energy-related provisions). The result is study time that feels productive—and a clearer sense of how to approach questions on test day.

What You Get

• Primary exam reference book
  International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2018—the central resource used for code-based residential contractor questions.
• A focused, exam-aligned study foundation
  One consistent reference to learn, tab, and practice navigating so you can answer questions efficiently.
• Better confidence in code application
  Supports real-world decision-making across structural systems, basic life safety topics, and residential envelope requirements.

Exam Details

The ICC G13-N National Standard Residential Building Contractor (C) exam is an open book examination. It is structured as a multiple-choice test with 80 total questions, a 4-hour time limit, and a 70% passing requirement.

The exam outline is organized into the following subject areas:

• Permits and General Regulations — 19%
• Building Planning and Life Safety — 19%
• Structural Systems — 50%
• Building Envelope — 12%

This mix is helpful to know early because it tells you where to invest your time. Structural systems make up the largest portion, so your prep should include steady practice with the IRC’s framing, foundations, and structural requirements—along with the related definitions and conditions that affect how you apply those rules.

Open Book Test

This examination is OPEN BOOK, which means your preparation should focus on two things at the same time:

• Knowing what the code says
  Understanding the requirements, not just finding a page number.
• Knowing where the code says it
  Efficient navigation is a major advantage with timed open-book exams.

Open-book exams reward smart organization. When you consistently study inside the IRC, you start to recognize patterns: how sections are structured, where exceptions are listed, and how definitions shape the meaning of requirements. You also get faster at identifying what a question is really asking (scope, measurement, spacing, fastening, minimums/maximums, or conditions that change the rule).

A practical way to study open-book is to treat your code like a map:

• Learn the table of contents so you can predict where topics live.
• Practice using the index for unfamiliar terms and “tricky” topics.
• Build a repeatable method for questions: identify the topic, jump to the chapter, confirm definitions, then verify any exceptions.

Licensing Steps

Residential contractor licensing can include more than just the exam, and local jurisdictions may have specific administrative requirements. Your book package supports the test-prep piece by helping you build code familiarity and open-book exam navigation skills—two of the most important parts of performing well on the ICC G13-N exam.

A study-forward approach many candidates use looks like this:

1. Start with structure first
   Spend early sessions learning how the IRC is organized (chapters, appendices, definitions, and index usage).
2. Study by exam-weighted topics
   Prioritize Structural Systems (the largest section), then rotate through planning/life safety, permits/regulations, and the building envelope.
3. Practice timed lookups
   Open-book success depends on speed. Set a timer and drill navigation so it becomes automatic.
4. Do scenario-style review
   Train yourself to apply the code to real situations: “What’s required here?” “What conditions change the rule?” “What exceptions apply?”
5. Finish with full-outline review
   Use the last stretch of prep to revisit your weaker areas and re-run targeted drills.

State Requirements

The ICC National Contractor Exam is used in many municipalities across the country, including Kansas jurisdictions such as Sedgwick County. This book package is designed around the G13-N reference needs and supports candidates preparing to test within that municipal licensing environment.

Because municipal licensing is local by design, successful applicants typically benefit from focusing on two tracks at once:

• Exam readiness
  Code knowledge and navigation skills using the IRC 2018.
• Application readiness
  Keeping personal and business documentation organized and submitted according to local licensing timelines.

Reference Books

• International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2018
  The primary reference for the ICC G13-N Residential Building Contractor (C) exam, covering residential building, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, and electrical requirements for one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses up to three stories.

Test Information and Study Materials

When you’re studying primarily from a single code book, your strategy matters. The goal is not to “read the IRC cover to cover” in a way that feels endless. The goal is to learn what the exam emphasizes—and train yourself to find, interpret, and apply code language efficiently.

Use the exam outline as your roadmap:

• Structural Systems (50%)
  Expect heavy focus on the rules that shape safe residential construction: foundations, floors, wall framing, roof/ceiling construction, and related structural requirements. Strong prep here usually includes frequent drills that start with a question and end with you finding the exact IRC section that supports the correct answer.
• Permits and General Regulations (19%)
  These questions often reward candidates who understand administrative concepts, definitions, and how projects are evaluated under code frameworks. Spend time learning where the IRC addresses general rules and how definitions affect interpretation.
• Building Planning and Life Safety (19%)
  Life safety topics are foundational. Prep here typically includes egress-related awareness, safety-driven provisions, and the building planning concepts that affect the usability and safety of a dwelling. Use scenario questions to practice thinking like a code official reviewing conditions, not just a builder recalling habits.
• Building Envelope (12%)
  Even though it’s a smaller portion, the envelope can include details that are easy to miss when you only study structure. Plan review sessions dedicated to exterior finishes, glazing-related topics, and roof coverings so you don’t leave points on the table.

A simple weekly pattern that works well for many open-book candidates:

• 2 sessions/week: Structural Systems (deep drills + timed lookups)
• 1 session/week: Planning & Life Safety (scenario questions + index practice)
• 1 session/week: Permits/General Regulations (definitions + navigation)
• 1 session/week: Building Envelope (targeted chapter review)

Keep your practice realistic. On the exam, you won’t have time to browse aimlessly. Train yourself to identify the topic quickly, jump to the right section, confirm definitions, and double-check exceptions. That skill—paired with code familiarity—can make open-book testing feel controlled instead of rushed.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports contractor candidates by making exam preparation feel organized and achievable. Instead of guessing what to study and hoping you covered the right topics, you can follow a trade-focused approach that emphasizes code structure, efficient navigation, and practice-oriented preparation.

For open-book ICC exams, preparation isn’t just about knowing where information is—it’s about being able to use it quickly under time pressure. 1 Exam Prep helps you build that structure through:

• Organized study guidance
  A clear way to prioritize exam topics and keep your studying consistent.
• Practice-oriented preparation
  Study structure that encourages active learning, timed lookups, and realistic question practice.
• Trade-focused review
  Preparation that stays aligned to residential construction decisions contractors face in the field.
• Confidence-building routine
  Consistent practice helps reduce second-guessing by improving familiarity with the IRC and how the exam is organized.

FAQ

Is this book package for the Sedgwick County Kansas Residential Building Contractor (C) ICC G13-N exam?

Yes. This package is built around the primary approved reference used for the ICC G13-N National Standard Residential Building Contractor (C) examination: the International Residential Code (IRC), 2018.

Is the ICC G13-N Residential Building Contractor (C) exam open book or closed book?

This examination is OPEN BOOK.

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

The exam includes 80 multiple-choice questions with a 4-hour time limit.

What score do I need to pass?

The passing requirement is 70%.

Is the 2018 IRC the only reference I need for this book package?

For this book package, the included reference is the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2018. It’s the core code book used to support the exam’s residential content and is the main resource candidates study and practice navigating.

What’s the best way to study for an open-book ICC exam?

Focus on navigation speed and code familiarity. Learn the IRC’s structure, practice using the index, drill timed lookups, and use scenario-style questions so you’re applying code rules instead of memorizing random lines.

Which exam topics should I prioritize first?

Start with Structural Systems because it represents the largest portion of the exam. Then rotate through permits/general regulations, planning/life safety, and the building envelope to stay balanced across the outline.