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The Building Structural exam

The technical exam for structure: all of Part 4 (loads including snow, wind and earthquake, foundations, structural materials, special structures), Part 9 structural requirements, foundations, framing, span tables and masonry, plus the structural items scattered through Parts 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8.

StructureTechnical

multiple choice questions
70
multiple choice questions
to finish
3 hours
to finish
to pass
70%
to pass
you work from the code
Open book
you work from the code

Last updated

Who needs it

Building officials who review structural drawings and BCIN designers who take responsibility for structural design of Part 9 buildings and structural elements (Part 4 design itself is reserved for engineers in most cases).

Free Building Structural study guide

One chapter per section of the exam, following the Ministry's study guide for the Building Structural exam, in plain language, with every rule linked to the 2024 OBC article it comes from.

  1. 1Code structure, climatic data and farm building structureDivision A (with exclusions), Division B Part 1 (SB-1 climatic and seismic data).6 min read
  2. 2Part 3 structural itemsClassification, heavy timber, combustible flooring, supporting construction ratings, firewall ratings, glass in guards.5 min read
  3. 3Structural loads, limit states, dead and live loads (4.1.1 to 4.1.5)Part 4 general requirements, specified loads and effects, limit states design and load combinations, dead loads.6 min read
  4. 4Snow, rain and wind loads (4.1.6 and 4.1.7)Snow and rain loads including drifting and accumulation factors, and wind loads (static, dynamic and wind tunnel procedures).6 min read
  5. 5Earthquake load and effects (4.1.8)Seismic design: site classes, spectral response, seismic force resisting systems, equivalent static force procedure.6 min read
  6. 6Foundations (4.2)All of 4.2: subsurface investigation, foundation materials, design requirements, excavations, shallow, deep and special foundations.5 min read
  7. 7Structural materials and special structures (4.3 and 4.4)Design standards for wood, masonry, concrete, steel, aluminum and glass, and special structures: membrane structures, parking structures.4 min read
  8. 8Structural items in Parts 5 to 8Structural and environmental loads on envelope elements, hydrostatic pressure and ground water protection, standards.4 min read
  9. 9Part 9 structural requirements, excavation, footings and foundationsPart 9 application items, materials, structural requirements and loads, excavation, footings and foundations.7 min read
  10. 10Columns, masonry and ICF walls, chimneys and fireplaces (Part 9)Columns, masonry and ICF walls (except rainwater control), chimney construction and support, and fireplace footings and hearth support.5 min read
  11. 11Wood-frame construction and sheet steel studs (9.23 and 9.24)All of 9.23 and 9.24 with the span tables named in the guide (9.23.4.2.-A to -L, 9.23.4.3 to 9.23.10.7, lintel tables 9.23.12.3).6 min read
  12. 12Part 9 glass, guards, handrails, stairs and fire-related structureStud wall reinforcement, glass standards and structural sufficiency, window loads, handrail and guard design and loads (SB-7, SB-13).5 min read
  13. 13Other Part 9 structural items (roofing, cladding, equipment, garages, cottages, logs, change of use)Roofing items (solar collectors, metal roofing support, GRP roofing, concrete tiles), cladding attachment, grab bars and equipment.5 min read
  14. 14Renovation compliance alternatives and Division C design and reviewCompliance alternatives, and the Division C items on design and general review by architects and engineers, permits, occupancy.5 min read
Start with chapter 1

Practise for the Building Structural exam

Start with the free quiz. When you are ready, paid prep adds the full question bank and timed simulations in the real exam format.

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    • A one page cheat sheet and a hint sheet for every exam
    • The Calculation Lab
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Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the Building Structural exam?
70 multiple choice questions in 3 hours. You need 70% to pass.
Is the Building Structural exam open book?
Yes. The exam is open book: you work from the code, so knowing where to find an answer quickly matters as much as knowing it.