Exam M1
Residential Mechanical Inspector
Inspecting residential mechanical systems for compliance with adopted codes.
- Questions
- 60
- Time limit
- 120 min
- Per question
- 120 sec
- Book
- Open
Check this outline
ICC labels this outline as applicable for exams built prior to July 1, 2015. Confirm the current outline with ICC before testing.
Where the marks sit
Heating, Cooling and Water Heaters carries 21 percent on its own. Study time should follow this, not the order of the chapters.
Transcribed from ICC's published M1 content outline. Areas sum to 100 percent.
Full topic breakdown
Where candidates lose the clock on M1
Each of these is a term the exam words one way and the code files another way.
| You are looking for | The code calls it |
|---|---|
| does the furnace closet need a vent | Combustion air |
| dryer vent | Clothes dryer exhaust |
Common questions
How many questions are on the ICC M1 exam?
The M1 Residential Mechanical Inspector exam has 60 multiple-choice questions with a 120-minute limit, which works out to about 120 seconds per question.
Is the ICC M1 exam open book?
Yes. The M1 is an open-book exam. The constraint is time rather than recall: you have roughly 120 seconds per question including the lookup.
How long is the ICC M1 exam?
120 minutes, or 2 hours, for 60 questions.
What is on the ICC M1 exam?
7 topic areas. The heaviest is Heating, Cooling and Water Heaters at 21 percent, followed by Combustion Air at 19 percent. The full weighting is published by ICC and reproduced on this page.
Which code book do I need for the M1 exam?
The International Residential Code is the primary reference. Confirm the edition your jurisdiction has adopted, because adopted editions vary by state and the exam is written to a specific one.
The kit that goes on the table
2024 IRCThe book itself
2021 IRCIf you register on 2021
2024 Fast-TabsPlace them yourself
Construction Master ProFeet-inch math, no errorsMatch the book and tabs to the edition you register for.Confirm which, first.