4 April - 30 June 2021: Test Information Bulletin
4 April - 30 June 2021: Test Information Bulletin
REGISTRATION FEE
$475.00 USD
KEEP THIS BULLETIN. Carefully read the Bulletin. It has important information you will need for future reference.
Each 2021 candidate must read, print or download of this Test Information Bulletin.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
The Institute of International Container Lessors (IICL), organized in 1971, is the trade association for the international
container leasing industry. It is active in governmental, regulatory, safety, technical, electronic communication, and
environmental fields throughout the world. The members of IICL are engaged in leasing marine cargo containers to
ship operators and others on a broad international basis. These members represent a significant portion of the global
leased container and US chassis fleets of the leasing industry and account for the ownership of approximately fifty
percent of the world’s leased containers.
REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION The examination is open to anyone interested in becoming IICL-
certified as a container inspector. IICL certification is awarded to all candidates who pass the examination and is
valid for five years. An inspector must pass the examination again before certification is reissued. Certification
does not authorize an individual to represent IICL in any manner. Certification may be revoked by IICL for any of
the following reasons: willfully falsifying information on the registrations, making unauthorized material available
to others, taking the examination on behalf of another person or misuse of certification.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMINATION The 2-1/2 hour container inspector certification examination will be
a computer based examination provided at numerous proctored test centers around the world, and the exam
will consist of 100 multiple-choice questions in English.
Examination will be based on the following Five (5) IICL Dry Van Publications, the IICL Online Dry Van Training
Course, the IICL Online Dry Van Training Course, the CSC Guide and IICL Technical Bulletins 002, 003, 004,
007, 008, 013, 015, 016, 17, 18 and 19.
1. Guide for Container Equipment Inspection, 6th edition (IICL-6) (published 1996) (reprinted 2006 & 2016)
2. Repair Manual for Steel Freight Containers, 5th edition (published 1999) (reprinted 2006)
3. General Guide for Container Cleaning, 3rd edition (revised 2020)
4. Supplement on Container Inspection and Repair: Gray Areas, 2 nd edition (published 2003)
5. Guide for Open Top Container Equipment Inspection (published 2005) (reprinted 2007) (revised 2019)
6. International Convention for Safe Containers, 1972 (CSC) (published 2014)
Technical Bulletins 002, 003, 004, 007, 008, 013, 015, 016, 17, 18 and 19 are study references available electronically.
Participants should be familiar with all technical documents. Please visit https://www.iicl.org/technical-documents/dry-van-
technical-bulletins/ to download technical bulletins mentioned above.
NEW! The IICL Online Preparatory Course for the IICL Container Examination was developed to assist
individuals preparing to take the exam. The online training course consists of 3 modules having slides and movies
addressing inspections, repairs including proper inspection practices and recommended repair criteria selection.
The training modules are based on the latest guides for container inspection, repairs and technical bulletins. A test
simulating the exam is built into the training module enabling students to evaluate their knowledge.
The course is available as stand-alone item for $99 USD or as part of a bundle with the container inspector
certification examination for $574 USD. The course can be completed in about 3 hours, but it is recommended that
students take time to study the manuals after each session to reinforce the understanding over each of the areas
covered. To register for the preparatory course visit: https://www.iicl.org/education/certification.cfm
NOTE: The IICL Online Preparatory Course is NOT a substitute for the Container Inspector
Certification Examination. All who wish to certify will still need to register and participate in the
IICL Container Inspector Certification Examination.
REGISTRATION/SCHEDULING- reg is t r at io n s & f ee s mu st b e r ec e iv ed A S A P to ensur e seating .
• Complete the registration online electronically- https://www.iicl.org/education/certification.cfm
• Registration Fees. Registrations that have not been paid will remain pending until payment is received.
• Notification of Registration is sent by e-mail upon registration completion online. When
Registration Notification.
you submit and complete your online registration you will receive an automated examination Member ID
Number. Contact IICL if you do not receive a prompt automated online notification via email to ensure IICL
received your registration. Please check all junk and spam folders for the online registration confirmation.
Each year, IICL awards up to three scholarships worldwide based on need. Each scholarship will include the
registration fee and a full set of examination manuals. Applicants must complete a scholarship form, submit
documentation of financial need (such as copy of tax form or proof of salary) and a short essay per the instructions on
the application. The form and essay must be written in English only, and can be typed or handwritten (if legible). The
essay must be written in the applicant’s own words. Applicants will be judged on the content of their application and on
their need for a scholarship, and not on how well they write English.
• IICL will only accept one scholarship application from any one company.
• Winners will be notified on 22 March 2021
• If you are not selected for the scholarship, you may still register and participate for the exam.
SUBSTITUTIONS D ea d l in e: 3 1 M a y 2 0 2 1
If a candidate is unable to sit for the exam and wishes to substitute another candidate from the same company for the
examination, the substitute candidate must e-mail [email protected] the substitutes name and email address along with the
current candidates name, purchase confirmation/order number and test center city to be replaced at no additional cost.
• 2 Forms of picture ID, Recent (current) and valid photo-identification, such as a government issued ID, a
passport or driver’s license. Anything else required and outlined by PearsonVue in the examination reservation
confirmation.
REGULATIONS AT THE TEST CENTER To ensure that all candidates are tested under equally favorable conditions, the
following regulations and procedures will be observed at each center.
• NO beepers, cellular telephones, books or papers of any kind are allowed in the examination location. This
means that NO dictionaries can be brought into the testing room. IICL suggests that non-English-speaking
candidates memorize the names of container components, procedures and materials as provided in the IICL
manuals, and also the "English words and phrases" on page 10.
• Candidates needing to use the restroom during an examination must secure permission from the supervisor.
• Candidates discovered engaging in any kind of misconduct, such as giving or receiving help, talking during the
examination, taking part in an act of impersonation, or removing test materials or notes from the testing room,
may be summarily dismissed from the examination and will be reported to IICL.
• There are no Interpreters admitted to the exam test center.
TEST SECURITY PROCEDURES Any doubts raised about the validity of an individual candidate's score will be
thoroughly investigated. Some scores may be rendered invalid because of circumstances beyond a candidate's
control. When such circumstances are discovered, IICL will arrange a makeup administration for the candidates
concerned at no charge. If misconduct (such as giving or receiving help, attempting to take the examination for
someone else, or removing test materials) is suspected, IICL will investigate all circumstances of the case. As a
result, scores may be delayed in being reported.
All candidates who pass the examination will receive an IICL Marine Cargo Container Inspector's Digital Certificate
confirming their certifications.
Certified inspectors' names are published annually in the IICL Inspection Directory which is posted on IICL’s website.
All candidates will have to visit the Inspection Directory via http://www.iicl.org/directory/inspectorsSearch.cfm and
edit/update their data. The Inspection Directory will be updated via for all passing candidates to view/update within 3
weeks after the examination date.
For candidates receiving a score of 90% or higher, IICL awards an Honor’s Certificate.
2. Repair Manual for Steel Freight Containers, 5th edition (Reprinted 2006)
The fifth edition of the Repair Manual contains recommendations for the repair of steel containers, many
presented by means of color photographs. The following is included:
• International requirements and safety requirements
• General repair principles and procedures from straightening to component replacement, including
surface preparation, welding, fasteners, etc.
• Specific rules and special considerations for repair of individual container components. Candidates
must be able to recognize incorrect procedures as well as correct ones. All diagrams must be studied.
• Materials and tools recommended by IICL for repair
• Safety precautions and quality assurance
• Non-conforming and improper repairs
• Terminology and interpretation of ISO dimensions, including gooseneck tunnels and forklift pockets
The Repair Manual (reprinted 2001) includes information from Technical Bulletin S2 (2000) as follows:
• Surface preparation, including full abrasive blasting and spot blasting
• Environmental and safety considerations
• Post blast requirements
• Application of prime coat, intermediate and top coating
• Paint drying times
• Undercoating
• General objective
• Safety and environmental concerns, general principles for determining when to clean
• ALL conditions for dry-vans, open-tops and refrigerated containers shown in the Guide and
recommended actions, if any
• Possible harmful contamination and recommended action
• Recommended cleaning methods for all types of conditions. Candidates must know which method is
recommended for each type of condition listed.
4. Supplement on Container Inspection and Repair: Gray Areas, 2 nd edition (published 2003)
This Supplement is designed to clarify areas of container inspection and repair that have been open to
interpretation. Color photographs illustrate recommendations. Areas covered include:
• How to determine if a condition requires repair; how to distinguish between damage and wear
• Determining causes of damage; judging if a repair is acceptable
• Floors: cracks, splits, broken planks, delamination, rolling shear and other conditions
• Scratches and other abrasions on interior walls
• Door gasket seal; frame members: metal loss due to corrosion
• Improper repairs: panel straightening, different roof corrugation profiles, pre-existing conditions
5. Guide for Open Top Container Equipment Inspection (published 2005) (reprinted 2007) (revised 2019)
This guide provides instruction regarding the inspection of Open Top Containers. Specific areas of focus are
components unique to Open Top Containers such as:
• Tarps, Cables, Roof bows, and Swinging headers - In addition, attention should be given to cleaning
requirements for this equipment type.
• Amendments to align all physical dimensions and units to the International System of Units
(SI)
• Marking of containers with restricted stacking capacity, as required under the relevant standard
7. Preferred Electronic Data Interchange Standards (EDIS), Technical Bulletin 002, (February 2003)
8. Repair Manual - Materials Used For Repair. Technical Bulletin 008 (February 2011)
9. New IICL 6 Inspection Criteria for Dry Van Containers, Technical Bulletin 013, (July 2016)
10. Corner Fittings Inspection Criteria. Technical Bulletin 015 (June 2018)
11. Roof measurement of outwards deformations. Technical Bulletin 016 (January 2020)
Technical Bulletins 002, 003, 004, 007, 008, 013, 015, 016, 17, 18 and 19 are study references available
electronically. Participants should be familiar with all technical documents. Please visit
https://www.iicl.org/technical-documents/dry-van-technical-bulletins/ to download technical bulletins
mentioned above.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
2. Of the following conditions in a dry-van container, which one would require cleaning?
(A) Raised mud footprints in excess of what might normally remain after a sweep out
(B) Dry dust covering dried floor stains as might normally be found after a sweep out
(C) Coffee beans remaining inside the container as might occur after a sweep out
(D) Polyurethane beads as might be expected to lodge in grooves between floorboards after a
sweep out
3. An Equipment Interchange Receipt (EIR), based on an inspection with no damage found, can be
evidence of a container’s compliance with:
4. The top of a replacement plastic ventilator should be centered what distance from the top side
rail?
5. When must a reference line extend the full length of a bottom side rail?
(A) When there are two or more areas of damage on the bottom side rail
(B) When there is a sharp bend in the bottom side rail
(C) When there is a bowing over the entire bottom side rail
(D) When there is additional damage to the bottom side rail so that the reference line cannot be
positioned over the ends of the damage
6. Which of the following profiles of corner post inserts would be considered an acceptable repair?
8. A steel corner fitting is being replaced. To ensure better weld penetration, IICL recommends that the edges
of parts adjacent to the corner fitting be ground to a minimum bevel of
(A) 30 degrees
(B) 45 degrees
(C) 55 degrees
(D) 60 degrees
9. Which of the following components is sometimes placed longitudinally in the container to support plywood
flooring?
10. Assuming owner and environmental regulations permit, which of the following procedures is NOT
recommended for repairing tarpaulins on open top containers?
11. Which of the following is an example of a floorboard condition requiring repair AND should be considered
as damage?
• Panel sponginess, sags between crossmembers and/or hollow sounding hammer taps with indication of
either impact (dents or gouges) or overloading (permanently bowed underlying crossmembers) and with
breakage (finger cracks or more severe breaks) of an outer veneer.
• Breakage of an outer veneer, without delamination, rolling-shear failure or indication of impact or
overloading.
• Breakage of an outer veneer, without delamination or rolling-shear failure but with an indication of impact
or overloading
• All the above.
(A) Weld smoke, spatter, etc. must be removed to permit adhesion of paint.
(B) The damaged component(s) must be restored as close as possible to original size and profile.
(C) Welds must be examined using radiographic or magnetic particle non-destructive testing equipment.
(D) Replacement steel components must be painted with coating compatible with that originally applied to
the container.
14. Where should the reference line be placed to determine repair worthiness of a crossmember lower flange that
is bent upwards?
15. The damaged top rail X below is to be repaired by sectioning. Care must be taken to ensure that damage
area X is NOT cut less than a minimum of
(A) 50 mm (2 in)
(B) 100 mm (4 in)
(C) 150 mm (6 in)
(D) 200 mm (8 in)
17. Door gaskets that are cut may be repaired by using cyanoacrylate adhesives to bond together the cut edges of
the gasket, PROVIDED
(A) I only
(B) I and II only
(C) II and III only
(D) I, II and III
18. With wooden flooring, height variance between adjacent planks or panels is limited to
19. What is the IICL inward dent tolerance for front corner posts?
(A) 25 mm (1 in)
(B) 10 mm (3/8 in)
(C) 15 mm (9/16 in)
(D) 20 mm (13/16 in)
20. Each of the following components has a single 30 mm (1¼ in) dent. Which one requires repair?
21. For which of the following repairs does IICL recommend the use of pre-blasted steel?
22. When heat is used to straighten a corner post, the damaged area should be heated no more than
(A) Outrigger
(B) Crossmember
(C) Center spacer
(D) Side rail
7. Which of the following container defects...forms 20. A defect must be repaired if it measures more
of damage...types of damage ...examples... than...
8. Which of the following must be corrected... 21. What is the minimum criterion/criteria…
should be corrected...is acceptable...would be length...width... distance...clearance between...?
acceptable... would be considered acceptable?
22. What is the maximum length...width...time?
9. Which of the following procedures/steps...is
recommended by IICL...is appropriate... would 23. The following component/material/tool is
be appropriate...is permitted...would be defined as...
permitted/allowed/must be used/followed?
24. According to IICL criteria/recommendations...
10. All of the following containers have sustained
damage. Which would need repair...would NOT 25. Where should a reference line be placed if…?
need repair…has repairworthy damage...? What method should be used to measure…?