Free official-scope study map. Sources checked 2026-10-26.
ICC E1 and E2 Exam Scope and Reference Map
Use the current ICC catalog entry as the control record. This page organizes the published scope and connects each item to an existing study page. It does not reproduce exam questions or supply answers.
E1: Residential Electrical Inspector
ICC’s published E1 outline lists 60 multiple-choice questions, a two-hour limit, and open-book format.
General Requirements, 10%
Permits, public information and legal duties, basic theory, clearances, connections, and conductors.
Services, 17%
Service size and rating, grounding, and bonding.
Branch Circuits and Feeders, 28%
Feeders, calculations, ratings, required circuits, and panelboards.
Wiring Methods and Distribution, 21%
Installation methods, required outlets, GFCI, boxes, grounding, flexible cords, and Class 2 circuits.
Devices, Lighting, and Appliances, 19%
Switches, receptacles, fixtures, appliances, and heating or cooling equipment.
Pools and Similar Installations, 5%
Wiring for pools, spas, hot tubs, and similar installations.
Open the official E1 content outline
E2: Commercial Electrical Inspector
ICC’s published E2 outline lists 80 multiple-choice questions, a three-and-one-half-hour limit, and open-book format.
General Requirements, 10%
Administration, legal work, public information, and conductors.
Services, 17%
Service size and installation, feeder grounding, and bonding.
Branch Circuits and Feeders, 19%
Installation, calculations, overcurrent protection, grounding, and bonding.
Wiring Methods and Distribution, 19%
Outlets, boxes, panelboards, raceways, cables, bus ducts, cords, and fixture wires.
General Use Equipment, 12%
Switches, receptacles, lighting, appliances, motors, controllers, transformers, and generators.
Special Occupancies, 9%
Hazardous locations, health care facilities, commercial garages, and other special occupancies.
Special Equipment, 7%
Pools, fountains, signs, and other listed equipment.
Special Systems, 7%
Emergency, signaling, fire alarm, and communications systems.
Open the official E2 content outline
Reference books: copy the selected catalog entry
ICC’s catalog guide says approved references are shown in the References section and reflect the selected code year. It also says exam questions for National exams come only from the listed approved references.
- E1 published study-guide example: ICC’s 2024 E1 study guide names the 2024 International Residential Code and 2023 NFPA 70 National Electrical Code. Use this only when it matches the code year selected in your exam listing.
- E2 published study-guide example: ICC’s 2020 E2 study guide names NFPA 70 National Electrical Code, 2020 edition. ICC’s current national-exam list also shows E2 code years 2020 and 2023, so do not carry the 2020 edition into another code-year booking without checking the catalog.
Connect each official item to your existing study pages
Choose E1, E2, or E3
Map your E1, E2, and E3 study gaps. Keep each certification’s outline separate.
Verify references and format
Use the exam-reference checklist to record the selected code year, approved books, question count, time, and open-book rule.
Plan E2 learning
Compare E2 learning options only after the official scope and reference edition are fixed.
Practice plan reading
Review plans, legends, and schedules for the plan-reading tasks named by the official outline.
A study record that stays current
- Write the exact exam ID, title, code year, question count, time limit, and open-book status from the current ICC listing.
- Copy every approved reference title and edition exactly. Do not use a saved edition from another code year.
- Copy the official major content headings and percentages. Do not invent finer scoring weights.
- Link each heading to one existing study page or one reading task in the approved reference.
- Recheck the catalog before purchase or scheduling because methods and availability can differ by code year.
This map does not contain live exam items, recalled questions, answer keys, or unpublished scoring. Passing, certification issuance, and employer acceptance remain external decisions.
