PSI NATIONAL HOME INSPECTOR PRACTICE EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION
"You complete your inspection and deliver the report to the client. The seller calls and asks what you
found on the inspection. What is your response?
A) Explain in detail what you found.
B) You are not allowed to discuss your findings with them.
C) Tell them that nothing serious was found and not to worry.
D) You may discuss your findings if they are willing to fix any problems. - CORRECT ANSWER B) You are
not allowed to discuss your findings with them."
"What type of foundation has a large amount of reinforced steel and is known as a floating foundation?
A) Pier-and-grade beam foundation system
B) "Inverted T" spread footing foundation
C) "Battered" foundation footing system
D) Mat foundation slab - CORRECT ANSWER D) Mat foundation slab"
"The purpose of anchor bolts in a sill plate is to:
A) Prevent movement.
B) Prevent wall racking.
C) Prevent wall collapse.
D) Prevent wall misalignment. - CORRECT ANSWER A) Prevent movement."
"Home inspectors report receptacles with reversed polarity as potentially hazardous because:
A) They contribute to the overheating of the receptacle.
B) They increase the shock likelihood at connected equipment.
C) Single phase appliance motors will run backwards.
D) They trip ground fault circuit interrupter outlets. - CORRECT ANSWER B) They increase the shock
likelihood at connected equipment."
"The term "wet vent" refers to a:
A) Vent that traps water and therefore stays wet.
B) Vent located above the roof line and exposed to rain.
C) Vent that runs outside an exterior wall.
D) Waste line that also functions as a vent. - CORRECT ANSWER D) Waste line that also functions as a
vent."
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, "EIFS is a siding material that:
A) Is used in commercial buildings only.
B) Looks like stucco but lacks a wire mesh.
C) Can be installed on top of a modified bitumen membrane.
D) Can be installed on top of a masonry surface. - CORRECT ANSWER B) Looks like stucco but lacks a
wire mesh."
"The joints on the exterior of the brick chimney should be:
A) Concaved.
B) Raked.
C) Open.
D) Closed. - CORRECT ANSWER A) Concaved"
"When a water heater thermostat is set at 140 ° F or higher, a should be installed to temper the
water.
A) Temperature probe
B) Mixing probe
C) Mixing valve
D) Temper valve - CORRECT ANSWER C) Mixing valve"
"In a forced air furnace, the burners are used to generate heat in the:
A) Heat exchanger.
B) Draft diverter.
C) Flue.
D) Plenum. - CORRECT ANSWER A) Heat exchanger."
"While inspecting a crawl space, you should probe for decay if the is dark in appearance.
A) King joist
B) Floor joist
C) Masonry wall
D) Bearing wall - CORRECT ANSWER B) Floor joist"
"Which statement BEST describes the action a home inspector should take when a safety issue is found in
a home?
A) Determine the degree of immediacy, and report to the appropriate parties.
B) Explain verbally to the client, but do not include in a written report.
C) Repair the problem when possible.
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION
"You complete your inspection and deliver the report to the client. The seller calls and asks what you
found on the inspection. What is your response?
A) Explain in detail what you found.
B) You are not allowed to discuss your findings with them.
C) Tell them that nothing serious was found and not to worry.
D) You may discuss your findings if they are willing to fix any problems. - CORRECT ANSWER B) You are
not allowed to discuss your findings with them."
"What type of foundation has a large amount of reinforced steel and is known as a floating foundation?
A) Pier-and-grade beam foundation system
B) "Inverted T" spread footing foundation
C) "Battered" foundation footing system
D) Mat foundation slab - CORRECT ANSWER D) Mat foundation slab"
"The purpose of anchor bolts in a sill plate is to:
A) Prevent movement.
B) Prevent wall racking.
C) Prevent wall collapse.
D) Prevent wall misalignment. - CORRECT ANSWER A) Prevent movement."
"Home inspectors report receptacles with reversed polarity as potentially hazardous because:
A) They contribute to the overheating of the receptacle.
B) They increase the shock likelihood at connected equipment.
C) Single phase appliance motors will run backwards.
D) They trip ground fault circuit interrupter outlets. - CORRECT ANSWER B) They increase the shock
likelihood at connected equipment."
"The term "wet vent" refers to a:
A) Vent that traps water and therefore stays wet.
B) Vent located above the roof line and exposed to rain.
C) Vent that runs outside an exterior wall.
D) Waste line that also functions as a vent. - CORRECT ANSWER D) Waste line that also functions as a
vent."
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, "EIFS is a siding material that:
A) Is used in commercial buildings only.
B) Looks like stucco but lacks a wire mesh.
C) Can be installed on top of a modified bitumen membrane.
D) Can be installed on top of a masonry surface. - CORRECT ANSWER B) Looks like stucco but lacks a
wire mesh."
"The joints on the exterior of the brick chimney should be:
A) Concaved.
B) Raked.
C) Open.
D) Closed. - CORRECT ANSWER A) Concaved"
"When a water heater thermostat is set at 140 ° F or higher, a should be installed to temper the
water.
A) Temperature probe
B) Mixing probe
C) Mixing valve
D) Temper valve - CORRECT ANSWER C) Mixing valve"
"In a forced air furnace, the burners are used to generate heat in the:
A) Heat exchanger.
B) Draft diverter.
C) Flue.
D) Plenum. - CORRECT ANSWER A) Heat exchanger."
"While inspecting a crawl space, you should probe for decay if the is dark in appearance.
A) King joist
B) Floor joist
C) Masonry wall
D) Bearing wall - CORRECT ANSWER B) Floor joist"
"Which statement BEST describes the action a home inspector should take when a safety issue is found in
a home?
A) Determine the degree of immediacy, and report to the appropriate parties.
B) Explain verbally to the client, but do not include in a written report.
C) Repair the problem when possible.
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