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New York Home Inspector License Exam
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
Summarized Exam Coverage – NY Home Inspector License (Article 12-B, 19 NYCRR Part 197)
The New York Home Inspector License exam (administered by the NYS Department of State, Division of
Licensing Services) covers:
• NY Executive Law Article 12-B & 19 NYCRR Part 197: Definitions, license requirements (age 18,
high school diploma, 140 hours approved education, 30 hours field work, pass exam, liability
insurance, continuing education) , exemptions (Code Enforcement Officers), renewal (biennial,
24 CE hours), prohibited acts, and Standards of Practice.
• Standards of Practice (SOP) – Required components:
o Structural Components: foundation, floors, walls, columns, ceilings, roofs (inspection of
exposed framing, condition, evidence of water penetration, damage).
o Exterior: wall cladding, flashing, trim, doors, windows, porches, decks, balconies, steps,
grading, drainage.
o Roofing: roof covering, flashing, skylights, chimneys, vents (visible from ground or
ladder at eaves). Must describe type and report signs of leaks.
o Plumbing: interior water supply and distribution, fixtures, drains, waste, vent pipes,
functional flow, water heater (type, capacity, venting, combustion air, T&P valve).
o Electrical: service drop, service entrance conductors, meter base, main disconnect,
panelboard, overcurrent protection, GFCI/AFCI, grounding, bonding, representative
number of switches, receptacles, light fixtures.
o Heating: central furnace/boiler, heat pump, chimney/flue, vent connectors, fuel storage
(location, condition).
o Air Conditioning: central AC (type, cooling capacity, temperature differential).
o Interior: ceilings, floors, walls, steps, railings, countertops, cabinets, windows, doors.
o Insulation & Ventilation: attic, crawlspace, vents.
o Fireplaces & Solid Fuel Burning Appliances: hearth, lintel, flue, damper, clearance to
combustibles.
1. A licensed home inspector in New York completes an inspection and delivers the written report to the
client. Under 19 NYCRR Part 197, how long must the inspector retain a copy of this report?
A) 1 year
B) 3 years
C) 5 years
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D) 6 years
Answer: D — A license holder must keep a copy of each written report for at least six years .
2. During a home inspection, you notice that the main electrical panel is a Federal Pacific Electric (FPE)
panel and the client asks if it is safe. According to the NYS Standards of Practice, what is your most
appropriate response?
A) State that FPE panels are known to have a high failure rate and recommend evaluation by a licensed
electrician
B) Ignore the panel because it is not within the scope
C) Tell the client it is fine because it is a common brand
D) Remove the cover to inspect the breakers
Answer: A — The SOP requires the inspector to report as a "defect" any condition that, in the inspector’s
professional opinion, is unsafe. FPE panels have a documented history of failing to trip, and a
recommendation for further evaluation by a specialist is appropriate .
3. A client asks you to inspect a freestanding garage that is not attached to the main dwelling. Under
New York’s Standards of Practice, are you required to inspect this structure?
A) Yes, all buildings on the property are included by default
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B) No, only the main building and attached garages are required unless specifically requested in the
contract
C) Yes, but only for structural components
D) No, unless the garage has a second story
Answer: B — The SOP requires inspection of the main building and attached garages/carports. Detached
structures are not required unless specified in the contract .
4. You are inspecting an older home with a fuse panel. The service entrance wires are aluminum.
According to the SOP, what must you report?
A) Fuse panels are automatically a defect
B) The presence of aluminum wiring and recommend that an electrician evaluate it for proper
termination and potential hazards
C) Nothing; aluminum wiring is safe
D) Only report the fuse panel, not the wire type
Answer: B — The SOP requires the inspector to report the type of wiring observed. Aluminum wiring has
known issues with overheating at connections, and a recommendation for evaluation is appropriate .
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5. While inspecting a roof from the eaves using a ladder, you are unable to access a section of the roof
slope. According to the SOP, what should you do?
A) Walk on the roof to get a better view, even if it is steep and wet
B) State in the report that the roof was not fully inspected due to safety concerns and note the
limitation
C) Assume the unviewed section is fine
D) Use binoculars from the ground for a complete inspection
Answer: B — The SOP states that the inspector is not required to walk on any roof if doing so might be
dangerous (e.g., steep, wet, high). The report should note the limitation .
6. The Standards of Practice require the home inspector to inspect all of the following plumbing
components EXCEPT:
A) Water supply lines
B) Drain, waste, and vent pipes
C) Water heater temperature and pressure relief (T&P) valve
D) Internal condition of sewer lines using a camera
New York Home Inspector License Exam
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
Summarized Exam Coverage – NY Home Inspector License (Article 12-B, 19 NYCRR Part 197)
The New York Home Inspector License exam (administered by the NYS Department of State, Division of
Licensing Services) covers:
• NY Executive Law Article 12-B & 19 NYCRR Part 197: Definitions, license requirements (age 18,
high school diploma, 140 hours approved education, 30 hours field work, pass exam, liability
insurance, continuing education) , exemptions (Code Enforcement Officers), renewal (biennial,
24 CE hours), prohibited acts, and Standards of Practice.
• Standards of Practice (SOP) – Required components:
o Structural Components: foundation, floors, walls, columns, ceilings, roofs (inspection of
exposed framing, condition, evidence of water penetration, damage).
o Exterior: wall cladding, flashing, trim, doors, windows, porches, decks, balconies, steps,
grading, drainage.
o Roofing: roof covering, flashing, skylights, chimneys, vents (visible from ground or
ladder at eaves). Must describe type and report signs of leaks.
o Plumbing: interior water supply and distribution, fixtures, drains, waste, vent pipes,
functional flow, water heater (type, capacity, venting, combustion air, T&P valve).
o Electrical: service drop, service entrance conductors, meter base, main disconnect,
panelboard, overcurrent protection, GFCI/AFCI, grounding, bonding, representative
number of switches, receptacles, light fixtures.
o Heating: central furnace/boiler, heat pump, chimney/flue, vent connectors, fuel storage
(location, condition).
o Air Conditioning: central AC (type, cooling capacity, temperature differential).
o Interior: ceilings, floors, walls, steps, railings, countertops, cabinets, windows, doors.
o Insulation & Ventilation: attic, crawlspace, vents.
o Fireplaces & Solid Fuel Burning Appliances: hearth, lintel, flue, damper, clearance to
combustibles.
1. A licensed home inspector in New York completes an inspection and delivers the written report to the
client. Under 19 NYCRR Part 197, how long must the inspector retain a copy of this report?
A) 1 year
B) 3 years
C) 5 years
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D) 6 years
Answer: D — A license holder must keep a copy of each written report for at least six years .
2. During a home inspection, you notice that the main electrical panel is a Federal Pacific Electric (FPE)
panel and the client asks if it is safe. According to the NYS Standards of Practice, what is your most
appropriate response?
A) State that FPE panels are known to have a high failure rate and recommend evaluation by a licensed
electrician
B) Ignore the panel because it is not within the scope
C) Tell the client it is fine because it is a common brand
D) Remove the cover to inspect the breakers
Answer: A — The SOP requires the inspector to report as a "defect" any condition that, in the inspector’s
professional opinion, is unsafe. FPE panels have a documented history of failing to trip, and a
recommendation for further evaluation by a specialist is appropriate .
3. A client asks you to inspect a freestanding garage that is not attached to the main dwelling. Under
New York’s Standards of Practice, are you required to inspect this structure?
A) Yes, all buildings on the property are included by default
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B) No, only the main building and attached garages are required unless specifically requested in the
contract
C) Yes, but only for structural components
D) No, unless the garage has a second story
Answer: B — The SOP requires inspection of the main building and attached garages/carports. Detached
structures are not required unless specified in the contract .
4. You are inspecting an older home with a fuse panel. The service entrance wires are aluminum.
According to the SOP, what must you report?
A) Fuse panels are automatically a defect
B) The presence of aluminum wiring and recommend that an electrician evaluate it for proper
termination and potential hazards
C) Nothing; aluminum wiring is safe
D) Only report the fuse panel, not the wire type
Answer: B — The SOP requires the inspector to report the type of wiring observed. Aluminum wiring has
known issues with overheating at connections, and a recommendation for evaluation is appropriate .
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5. While inspecting a roof from the eaves using a ladder, you are unable to access a section of the roof
slope. According to the SOP, what should you do?
A) Walk on the roof to get a better view, even if it is steep and wet
B) State in the report that the roof was not fully inspected due to safety concerns and note the
limitation
C) Assume the unviewed section is fine
D) Use binoculars from the ground for a complete inspection
Answer: B — The SOP states that the inspector is not required to walk on any roof if doing so might be
dangerous (e.g., steep, wet, high). The report should note the limitation .
6. The Standards of Practice require the home inspector to inspect all of the following plumbing
components EXCEPT:
A) Water supply lines
B) Drain, waste, and vent pipes
C) Water heater temperature and pressure relief (T&P) valve
D) Internal condition of sewer lines using a camera
