HOME INSPECTOR NATIONAL EXAM PREP
NEW UPDATED 2026 COMPLETE;(GRADED A+)
"In which of the following locations are ground-fault circuit interceptors (GFCI) required?
a. All bathroom outlets
b. All outdoor outlets
c. All countertop outlets
d. All of the above - CORRECT ANSWER All of the above"
"Which of the following is not a normal operating control?
a. A wall switch
b. The fuse box
c. A safety switch
d. A thermostat - CORRECT ANSWER The fuse box"
"Which of the following is a component of a roof drainage system?
a. Downspouts
b. Gutters
c. Splash blocks
d. All of the above - CORRECT ANSWER All of the above"
"Which of the following conditions would be LEAST critical to your client's safety? A. A pin hole in the heat
exchanger B. No handrails on an interior stairway C. Lack of a pressure and temperature relief valve on
the water heater D. A non-reversing garage door opener - CORRECT ANSWER A pin hole in the heat
exchanger"
"The normal MINIMUM run for a residential stair tread is: A. 7 in. B. 8 in. C. 9 in. D. 11 in. - CORRECT
ANSWER 9 inches"
"Standard three light electrical testers are NOT always reliable because: A. Some receptacles only have
two prongs B. Three light testers sometimes have broken bulbs C. Three light testers will not detect
multiple wiring problems D. Different test device manufactures have different light patterns - CORRECT
ANSWER Three light testers will not detect multiple wiring problems"
"Bulging plaster is observed high up on several bedroom walls. The primary concern is the bulging plaster
is a(n): A. installation defect B. indication the home was very cold for a period of time C. indication the air
handler leaked D. potential safety issue - CORRECT ANSWER Potential safety issue"
1|P a ge
, "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 Looks like stucco but lacks a wire mesh"
"While inspecting a home, you observe a large ceiling fan with built-in lamps. This installation requires
a(an): A. Strong ceiling. B. Pancake junction box. C. Approved brace or box. D. Larger junction box. -
CORRECT ANSWER Approved brace or box"
"What are the types of heat that must be taken into account when calculating the cooling loads for an
HVAC system?
a. Sensible and radiant heat
b. Radiant and conductive heat
c. Conductive and latent heat
d. Sensible and latent heat - CORRECT ANSWER Sensible and latent heat"
"Which of the following would be most likely to have the highest R-value?
a. 6" fiberglass batt insulation
b. 12" cast-in-place concrete wall
c. 2" extruded polystyrene panel
d. Triple insulated glazing system with ½" air spaces - CORRECT ANSWER 6" fiberglass batt insulation"
"An inspector can often determine the approximate age of a home by its method of construction. Which
of the following choices shows the methods of construction in order from first developed to most recently
developed?
a. Post and beam construction, balloon framing, platform framing, ICF construction
b. Balloon framing, post and beam construction, ICF construction, platform framing
c. ICF construction, balloon framing, post and beam construction, platform framing
d. Post and beam construction, platform framing, balloon framing, ICF construction - CORRECT ANSWER
Post and beam construction, balloon framing, platform framing, ICF construction"
"One is inspecting an EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finishing System) wall system for deficiencies. Where
would these be most likely to occur?
a. Window heads
b. The center of large expanses of EIFS
c. Along the bottom edge of the EIFS installation
d. At the corners of the installation, such as around windows - CORRECT ANSWER At the corners of the
installation, such as around windows"
"An inspector notes that the heat pump is not functioning and that the condensate pan under the air
handler is full of water. Why might these two things be related?
2|P a ge
NEW UPDATED 2026 COMPLETE;(GRADED A+)
"In which of the following locations are ground-fault circuit interceptors (GFCI) required?
a. All bathroom outlets
b. All outdoor outlets
c. All countertop outlets
d. All of the above - CORRECT ANSWER All of the above"
"Which of the following is not a normal operating control?
a. A wall switch
b. The fuse box
c. A safety switch
d. A thermostat - CORRECT ANSWER The fuse box"
"Which of the following is a component of a roof drainage system?
a. Downspouts
b. Gutters
c. Splash blocks
d. All of the above - CORRECT ANSWER All of the above"
"Which of the following conditions would be LEAST critical to your client's safety? A. A pin hole in the heat
exchanger B. No handrails on an interior stairway C. Lack of a pressure and temperature relief valve on
the water heater D. A non-reversing garage door opener - CORRECT ANSWER A pin hole in the heat
exchanger"
"The normal MINIMUM run for a residential stair tread is: A. 7 in. B. 8 in. C. 9 in. D. 11 in. - CORRECT
ANSWER 9 inches"
"Standard three light electrical testers are NOT always reliable because: A. Some receptacles only have
two prongs B. Three light testers sometimes have broken bulbs C. Three light testers will not detect
multiple wiring problems D. Different test device manufactures have different light patterns - CORRECT
ANSWER Three light testers will not detect multiple wiring problems"
"Bulging plaster is observed high up on several bedroom walls. The primary concern is the bulging plaster
is a(n): A. installation defect B. indication the home was very cold for a period of time C. indication the air
handler leaked D. potential safety issue - CORRECT ANSWER Potential safety issue"
1|P a ge
, "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 Looks like stucco but lacks a wire mesh"
"While inspecting a home, you observe a large ceiling fan with built-in lamps. This installation requires
a(an): A. Strong ceiling. B. Pancake junction box. C. Approved brace or box. D. Larger junction box. -
CORRECT ANSWER Approved brace or box"
"What are the types of heat that must be taken into account when calculating the cooling loads for an
HVAC system?
a. Sensible and radiant heat
b. Radiant and conductive heat
c. Conductive and latent heat
d. Sensible and latent heat - CORRECT ANSWER Sensible and latent heat"
"Which of the following would be most likely to have the highest R-value?
a. 6" fiberglass batt insulation
b. 12" cast-in-place concrete wall
c. 2" extruded polystyrene panel
d. Triple insulated glazing system with ½" air spaces - CORRECT ANSWER 6" fiberglass batt insulation"
"An inspector can often determine the approximate age of a home by its method of construction. Which
of the following choices shows the methods of construction in order from first developed to most recently
developed?
a. Post and beam construction, balloon framing, platform framing, ICF construction
b. Balloon framing, post and beam construction, ICF construction, platform framing
c. ICF construction, balloon framing, post and beam construction, platform framing
d. Post and beam construction, platform framing, balloon framing, ICF construction - CORRECT ANSWER
Post and beam construction, balloon framing, platform framing, ICF construction"
"One is inspecting an EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finishing System) wall system for deficiencies. Where
would these be most likely to occur?
a. Window heads
b. The center of large expanses of EIFS
c. Along the bottom edge of the EIFS installation
d. At the corners of the installation, such as around windows - CORRECT ANSWER At the corners of the
installation, such as around windows"
"An inspector notes that the heat pump is not functioning and that the condensate pan under the air
handler is full of water. Why might these two things be related?
2|P a ge
