Journeyman Plumber Practice Questions (2026) — Free Sample Questions with Answers

Answer: A

At installation, after repair or relocation, annually: Correct. 2021 IPC Section 312.10.2: RPZ, double check, pressure vacuum breaker and similar testable assemblies are tested at installation, immediately after repairs or relocation, and at least annually, using a listed procedure such as ASSE 5013.

Only once, when installed, by a certified tester: Partial: the initial test is required, but so are tests after repair or relocation and at least annually.

Once a year, starting one year after it is installed: Misses the required test at the time of installation.

Every five years, and again after any repair or relocation: Wrong interval; testable assemblies are tested at least annually.

Testable backflow assemblies (RPZ, DC, PVB, SVB and detector assemblies) are tested at installation, after repair or relocation, and at least annually (2021 IPC Section 312.10.2).

Answer: C

1. Slope (%) = fall ÷ run × 100.
2. Fall = 97.25 ft − 96.50 ft = 0.75 ft; run = 60 ft.
3. 0.75 ÷ 60 = 0.0125; × 100 = 1.25%.
4. No rounding needed: 1.25%.
5. Match the option 1.25%.

0.125%: Decimal slip: 0.75 ÷ 60 = 0.0125, which is 1.25% once multiplied by 100.

0.75%: Took the 0.75 ft fall itself as the percent without dividing by the 60 ft run.

1.25%: Correct. Fall = 97.25 − 96.50 = 0.75 ft; slope = 0.75 ÷ 60 × 100 = 1.25% (about 0.15 in/ft).

12.5%: Decimal slip: multiplied 0.0125 by 1,000 instead of 100.

Slope percent = fall ÷ run × 100, with fall and run in the same units; 1/8 in/ft is about 1.04% and 1/4 in/ft about 2.08%.

Answer: D

1. Travel = offset × 1.414 for a 45-degree offset.
2. Travel = 30 in × 1.414.
3. Travel = 42.42 in.
4. Round to 42.4 in and match the option.

21.2 inches: Divided by 1.414 instead of multiplying; travel is always longer than the offset.

30.0 inches: Took the offset as the travel; the diagonal piece is longer than the offset it makes.

34.6 inches: Used the 60-degree constant (1.155) for a 45-degree offset.

42.4 inches: Correct. Travel = offset × 1.414 = 30 in × 1.414 = 42.42 in, about 42.4 in.

For a 45-degree offset, travel = offset × 1.414 (and the run equals the offset).

Answer: D

1. Definition (2021 IPC Chapter 2): developed length is measured along the centerline of the pipe and fittings.
2. Convert: 4 ft 6 in = 4.5 ft; 18 in = 1.5 ft; 3 ft 9 in = 3.75 ft.
3. Add: 4.5 + 1.5 + 3.75 = 9.75 ft.
4. Convert back: 0.75 ft × 12 = 9 in, so 9 ft 9 in.
5. Match: 9 ft 9 in.

8 ft 3 in: Counted only the two horizontal runs; the vertical drop is part of the centerline length.

8 ft 5 in: That is the straight-line distance between the ends (about 8.4 ft); developed length follows the pipe.

9 ft 3 in: Converted the 18 in drop to 1 ft instead of 1-1/2 ft.

9 ft 9 in: Correct. Developed length is measured along the centerline of the pipe and fittings: 4.5 ft + 1.5 ft + 3.75 ft = 9.75 ft = 9 ft 9 in. Open-book tip: Chapter 2, "Developed length."

Developed length adds every horizontal and vertical segment along the pipe centerline; convert feet-and-inches to one unit before adding (2021 IPC Chapter 2).

Answer: B

2 inches: Below the code minimum; 2 in is not a Section 306 value.

3 inches: Correct. 2021 IPC 306.2.2: where rock is encountered, it is removed to not less than 3 in below the installation level of the bottom of the pipe and backfilled with sand tamped in place, so the pipe and joints do not rest on rock. Open-book tip: Chapter 3, Section 306 "Trenching, excavation and backfill."

4 inches: A common gravel-bedding specification, not the IPC minimum.

6 inches: That is the maximum backfill layer depth (306.3), not the rock clearance.

Remove rock at least 3 in below the bottom of the pipe and bed with tamped sand; pipe never rests on rock (2021 IPC 306.2.2).

Answer: A

1. Edge distance = (stud depth − hole diameter) ÷ 2.
2. Substitute: (3-1/2 in − 1-3/8 in) ÷ 2 = 2-1/8 in ÷ 2.
3. Compute: 2.125 in ÷ 2 = 1.0625 in, or 1-1/16 in from the hole edge to each face.
4. Compare with 2021 IPC 305.6: 1-1/16 in is less than 1-1/4 in, so steel shield plates are required.
5. Match: 1-1/16 inch; shield plates are required.

1-1/16 inch; shield plates are required: Correct. (3-1/2 in − 1-3/8 in) ÷ 2 = 1-1/16 in on each side, which is less than the 1-1/4 in distance in 2021 IPC 305.6, so the copper tubing needs No. 16 gage steel shield plates. Open-book tip: Chapter 3, Section 305.6.

1-1/16 inch; no shield plates are required: The distance is right, but 1-1/16 in is less than the 1-1/4 in trigger in 2021 IPC 305.6, so plates are required.

1-3/4 inch; no shield plates are required: That is half the stud depth; it ignores the hole radius.

2-1/8 inch; no shield plates are required: Subtracted the hole from the stud depth but did not split the remainder between the two faces.

Subtract the hole from the member depth and halve it; if the result is under the 2021 IPC 305.6 trigger of 1-1/4 in, non-exempt piping needs steel shield plates.

Answer: A

Pressure-balancing valve with its limit stop set at 120°F: Correct. 2021 IPC Section 412.3: individual shower and tub-shower valves are balanced-pressure, thermostatic or combination types with a means to limit the maximum setting to 120°F, field adjusted per the manufacturer. Open-book tip: Chapter 4, Section 412 (Faucets and Fixture Fittings).

Two-handle valve with the water heater thermostat set at 120°F: Field habit; a heater setting does not replace the required valve type.

Balanced-pressure valve with its limit stop set at 130°F: Right valve type, but the limit stop exceeds 120°F.

Two-handle valve with an in-line thermostatic valve: In-line thermostatic valves may not be used to comply with this section.

Individual shower and tub-shower valves must be pressure-balancing, thermostatic or combination types limited to 120°F (2021 IPC Section 412.3).

Answer: B

Air gap or backflow preventer; no temperature limit: Partial requirement; bidet discharge temperature must also be limited.

Air gap or backflow preventer; 110°F limit by an ASSE 1070 device: Correct. 2021 IPC Sections 408.2 and 408.3: the bidet supply is protected by an air gap or backflow preventer, and discharge is limited to not more than 110°F by an ASSE 1070/ASME A112.1070/CSA B125.70 device. Open-book tip: Chapter 4, Section 408 (Bidets).

Check valve on the cold supply; 110°F limit by an ASSE 1070 device: A plain check valve is not one of the listed backflow preventers.

Air gap or backflow preventer; 120°F limit at the water heater: Wrong value and wrong device; the limit is 110°F at the fitting.

A bidet needs both backflow protection on its supply and an ASSE 1070 device limiting discharge to 110°F (2021 IPC Sections 408.2 and 408.3).

Answer: D

Dimension 1: Complies; a water closet centerline needs at least 15 inches to a side wall, and 16 inches is provided.

Dimension 2: Complies; unpartitioned adjacent water closets need at least 30 inches center to center, and 32 inches is provided.

Dimension 3: Complies; at least 21 inches of clear space is required in front of a water closet, and 24 inches is provided.

Dimension 4: Correct. 2021 IPC Section 405.3.1: a lavatory may not be set closer than 15 inches from its center to a side wall, and 13 inches is too close. Open-book tip: Chapter 4, Section 405.3 (Setting).

Water closets, urinals, lavatories and bidets need 15 inches from center to a side wall, 30 inches center to center when unpartitioned, and 21 inches of clear space in front (2021 IPC Section 405.3.1).

Answer: A

A reduced-pressure principle assembly: Correct. 2021 IPC Section 608.17.2: where conditioning chemicals are introduced into a boiler, the potable supply is protected by an air gap or a reduced pressure principle assembly (ASSE 1013, AWWA C511 or CSA B64.4). Find it fast: Chapter 6, Section 608.17 Connections to the potable water system.

A double check backflow prevention assembly: A double check is for low hazards only (Table 608.1); boiler chemicals are a high hazard.

A pressure vacuum breaker assembly: A PVB protects against backsiphonage only; a boiler can create backpressure.

An atmospheric vacuum breaker: An AVB protects against backsiphonage only and cannot be under continuous pressure.

A boiler without chemicals needs an ASSE 1012 intermediate-atmospheric-vent device; once conditioning chemicals are added, it needs an air gap or an RPZ (2021 IPC 608.17.2).

Answer: A

1. Formula: available pressure = main pressure − (rise × 0.433) − losses.
2. Substitute: 50 − (48 × 0.433) − 12.
3. Compute: 48 × 0.433 = 20.78 psi; 50 − 20.78 − 12 = 17.22 psi.
4. Round: 17.2 psi.
5. Match: 17.2 psi.

17.2 psi: Correct. 50 − (48 × 0.433) − 12 = 50 − 20.8 − 12 = 17.2 psi, below the 20 psi a flushometer tank typically needs (2021 IPC Table 604.3), so a booster or larger piping would be required. Find it fast: Chapter 6, Table 604.3 minimum flow pressures.

20.8 psi: That is only the pressure lost to the 48 ft rise.

29.2 psi: Subtracted elevation but forgot the 12 psi of meter, device and friction losses.

38.0 psi: Subtracted the 12 psi of losses but forgot the 48 ft of elevation.

Available pressure at a fixture = supply pressure − elevation (0.433 psi/ft) − meter, device and friction losses; compare it with the minimum flow pressure in 2021 IPC Table 604.3.

Answer: D

a direct connection with its own vented trap: Food-handling fixtures must be indirectly connected; a direct connection lets a sewer backup reach the sink.

an air break above the receptor's trap seal: An air break is accepted for some equipment, such as commercial dishwashers, but not for food storage, preparation or handling.

a backwater valve on the fixture drain: A backwater valve can stick open; the code requires a physical air gap for food handling.

an air gap above the receptor's flood-level rim: Correct. 2021 IPC Section 802.1.1: equipment and fixtures for storing, preparing and handling food discharge through an indirect waste pipe by means of an air gap. Open-book tip: Chapter 8, Section 802.1 lists each indirect waste and its air gap or air break.

Food storage, preparation and handling: air gap only. Commercial dishwashers and pot sinks: air gap or air break.

Answer: B

1. Formula: total fall = slope × length.
2. Table 704.1: 3 in pipe → 1/8 in per foot.
3. Substitute: 1/8 in/ft × 30 ft.
4. Compute: 3.75 in.
5. Match: 3-3/4 inches.

1-7/8 inches: Used 1/16 in per foot, the minimum for 8 in and larger pipe.

3-3/4 inches: Correct. 2021 IPC Table 704.1 sets 1/8 in per foot for 3 to 6 in pipe: 30 ft × 1/8 in = 3-3/4 in. Open-book tip: Chapter 7, Table 704.1.

7-1/2 inches: Applied 1/4 in per foot, the row for 2-1/2 in and smaller; 3 in pipe falls in the 3 to 6 in row.

15 inches: Used 1/2 in per foot, which is not a Table 704.1 minimum.

Table 704.1: 1/4 in/ft for 2-1/2 in and smaller, 1/8 in/ft for 3 to 6 in, 1/16 in/ft for 8 in and larger; fall = slope × length.

Answer: A

1. Rule: horizontal vent at least 6 in above the flood-level rim of the highest fixture served.
2. Substitute: 32 in + 6 in.
3. Compute: 38 in above the floor.
4. Compare: 36 in < 38 in, so it must be raised.

must be raised to at least 38 in above the floor: Correct. 2021 IPC Section 905.4: horizontal branch vents must be at least 6 in above the flood-level rim of the highest fixture served: 32 + 6 = 38 in, so 36 in is too low. Open-book tip: Chapter 9, Section 905 "Vent Connections and Grades".

must be raised to at least 44 in above the floor: Used 12 in above the rim; the code requires 6 in.

complies, since it is above the flood-level rim: Partial; being above the rim is not enough, it must be at least 6 in above.

complies, since vents need rise only 4 in above the rim: The 4 in figure is the AAV height above the drain it vents, not a vent rise above a rim.

Dry vents rise at least 6 in above the flood-level rim of the highest fixture served before turning horizontal or joining another vent.

Answer: A

1. Rule: fixture outlet to trap weir, vertical ≤ 24 in (1002.1).
2. Given: 28 in.
3. Compare: 28 in > 24 in.
4. Conclusion: does not comply; raise the trap or shorten the tailpiece.
5. Match: "Does not comply; the limit is 24 inches".

Does not comply; the limit is 24 inches: Correct. 2021 IPC Section 1002.1: the vertical distance from the fixture outlet to the trap weir shall not exceed 24 inches. 28 in > 24 in. Find it fast: Chapter 10, Section 1002.1 Fixture traps.

Does not comply; the limit is 18 inches: Too strict; 18 inches is not the 1002.1 limit.

Complies; the limit is 30 inches: Thirty inches is the horizontal distance limit in 1002.1, not the vertical one.

Complies; tailpieces have no length limit: Field habit; the 24 inch vertical limit applies to every fixture trap.

A fixture trap must be within 24 inches vertically and 30 inches horizontally of the fixture outlet (2021 IPC 1002.1).