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New York Home Inspector License Exam ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR
New York Home Inspector License Exam The questions are based on 19 NYCRR Part 197, Real Property
Law Article 12-B, the National Home Inspector Examination standards, and the NY Standards of
Practice.
SUMMARIZED EXAM TOPIC COVERAGE (Point Form)
• Licensing Requirements (RPL §444-E) – 140 hours approved coursework + 40 hours unpaid field
training, or 100 supervised inspections; high school diploma or equivalent required.
• Exam Structure – National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) or state exam; must be updated
annually with state-specific content.
• Code of Ethics (19 NYCRR Part 197) – Duty of care to client; confidentiality; no repairs on
inspected properties; no contingency fees; no undisclosed financial interests.
• Standards of Practice – Scope of inspection (what is included/excluded); report content
requirements; limitations (no moving personal belongings, no destructive testing).
• Structural Systems – Foundations (poured concrete, block, stone, piers);
basements/crawlspaces; floor, wall, and roof framing; trusses; signs of settlement, cracking,
water intrusion.
• Exterior Systems – Wall coverings (wood, vinyl, brick, EIFS, stucco); doors, windows, decks,
porches, garages, walkways; drainage and grading.
• Roof Systems – Roof styles (gable, hip, flat, mansard); materials (asphalt shingle, metal, slate,
tile, roll roofing); flashing, gutters, downspouts; chimney terminations.
• Interior Systems – Walls, ceilings, floors, stairs, railings, balconies; cabinets, countertops;
appliances (built-in).
• Insulation & Ventilation – Attic insulation (R-value estimation); vapor barriers; soffit, ridge,
gable, and turbine vents; attic ventilation requirements.
• Electrical Systems – Service entrance (overhead, underground); amperage/voltage; panels,
breakers, fuses; wiring types (copper, aluminum, knob-and-tube); grounding; GFCI/AFCI
requirements; outlets, switches, fixtures.
• Heating Systems – Furnaces, boilers, heat pumps; energy sources (gas, oil, electric); flues, vents,
chimneys; controls, thermostats; safety controls.
• Cooling Systems – Central AC, ductless mini-splits, evaporative coolers; condensers,
compressors, air handlers.
• Plumbing Systems – Water supply (municipal, well); main shutoff; pipes (copper, CPVC, PEX,
galvanized); fixtures, faucets, toilets, tubs; water heaters (tank, tankless); drainage, waste, vent
(DWV) systems; sump pumps.
• Report Writing – Written report to client; observed deficiencies; system components inspected;
limitations and exclusions.
• Professional Practice – Pre-inspection agreements, liability insurance, record retention
(minimum 3 years), continuing education (24 hours every 2 years).
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1. During a home inspection in Albany, you observe an exterior brick wall almost completely covered by
mature ivy. What should you report to your client?
A) The ivy will help keep the home cooler in summer
B) The ivy may cause damage to mortar and brick surfaces; recommend removal
C) The ivy adds aesthetic value and should be maintained
D) The ivy needs additional support to remain attached to the wall
Answer: B – Ivy traps moisture against masonry, leading to mortar deterioration and potential structural
damage; removal is recommended .
2. A client asks you to evaluate whether the home’s foundation will withstand a major earthquake in the
next 10 years. According to NY Standards of Practice, how should you respond?
A) Provide an opinion based on your experience
B) Decline to provide a guarantee, as home inspections assess current visible conditions and do not
predict future events
C) Consult a structural engineer at no additional cost
D) Include an earthquake risk assessment in your report for an additional fee
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Answer: B – Home inspections evaluate present, observable conditions and do not guarantee future
performance or predict natural events.
3. You inspect a 1920s home and find original knob-and-tube wiring still active in the attic. What is your
primary concern and recommended action?
A) No concern; knob-and-tube is safe if undisturbed
B) Report the presence as a potential safety hazard and recommend evaluation by a licensed electrician
C) Disconnect the wiring immediately
D) Recommend replacement only if the homeowner plans to sell
Answer: B – Knob-and-tube wiring lacks grounding and may have deteriorated insulation; it should be
evaluated by an electrician .
4. While inspecting a gas-fired furnace, you notice the burner flames are yellow and orange instead of
blue. What does this indicate?
A) Proper combustion
B) Incomplete combustion, potentially producing carbon monoxide
C) The furnace is new and breaking in
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D) The gas pressure is too high
Answer: B – Yellow/orange flames indicate incomplete combustion, which can produce dangerous
carbon monoxide .
5. The seller tells you that all appliances are in working order. As a home inspector, you should:
A) Take the seller’s word and not test any appliances
B) Say nothing about appliances in your report
C) If you inspect appliances, tell your client that you will check them out
D) Assume the seller is hiding a problem and report your suspicion to the client
Answer: C – Inspectors should independently verify appliance operation within the scope of the
inspection agreement .
6. A roof slope terminates against an EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish System) wall. Which flashing
detail is correct to prevent water damage?
A) Polyurethane caulking between gutter and wall
B) Silicone caulking between gutter and wall
C) Kick-out flashing directing water into the gutter
New York Home Inspector License Exam ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR
New York Home Inspector License Exam The questions are based on 19 NYCRR Part 197, Real Property
Law Article 12-B, the National Home Inspector Examination standards, and the NY Standards of
Practice.
SUMMARIZED EXAM TOPIC COVERAGE (Point Form)
• Licensing Requirements (RPL §444-E) – 140 hours approved coursework + 40 hours unpaid field
training, or 100 supervised inspections; high school diploma or equivalent required.
• Exam Structure – National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) or state exam; must be updated
annually with state-specific content.
• Code of Ethics (19 NYCRR Part 197) – Duty of care to client; confidentiality; no repairs on
inspected properties; no contingency fees; no undisclosed financial interests.
• Standards of Practice – Scope of inspection (what is included/excluded); report content
requirements; limitations (no moving personal belongings, no destructive testing).
• Structural Systems – Foundations (poured concrete, block, stone, piers);
basements/crawlspaces; floor, wall, and roof framing; trusses; signs of settlement, cracking,
water intrusion.
• Exterior Systems – Wall coverings (wood, vinyl, brick, EIFS, stucco); doors, windows, decks,
porches, garages, walkways; drainage and grading.
• Roof Systems – Roof styles (gable, hip, flat, mansard); materials (asphalt shingle, metal, slate,
tile, roll roofing); flashing, gutters, downspouts; chimney terminations.
• Interior Systems – Walls, ceilings, floors, stairs, railings, balconies; cabinets, countertops;
appliances (built-in).
• Insulation & Ventilation – Attic insulation (R-value estimation); vapor barriers; soffit, ridge,
gable, and turbine vents; attic ventilation requirements.
• Electrical Systems – Service entrance (overhead, underground); amperage/voltage; panels,
breakers, fuses; wiring types (copper, aluminum, knob-and-tube); grounding; GFCI/AFCI
requirements; outlets, switches, fixtures.
• Heating Systems – Furnaces, boilers, heat pumps; energy sources (gas, oil, electric); flues, vents,
chimneys; controls, thermostats; safety controls.
• Cooling Systems – Central AC, ductless mini-splits, evaporative coolers; condensers,
compressors, air handlers.
• Plumbing Systems – Water supply (municipal, well); main shutoff; pipes (copper, CPVC, PEX,
galvanized); fixtures, faucets, toilets, tubs; water heaters (tank, tankless); drainage, waste, vent
(DWV) systems; sump pumps.
• Report Writing – Written report to client; observed deficiencies; system components inspected;
limitations and exclusions.
• Professional Practice – Pre-inspection agreements, liability insurance, record retention
(minimum 3 years), continuing education (24 hours every 2 years).
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1. During a home inspection in Albany, you observe an exterior brick wall almost completely covered by
mature ivy. What should you report to your client?
A) The ivy will help keep the home cooler in summer
B) The ivy may cause damage to mortar and brick surfaces; recommend removal
C) The ivy adds aesthetic value and should be maintained
D) The ivy needs additional support to remain attached to the wall
Answer: B – Ivy traps moisture against masonry, leading to mortar deterioration and potential structural
damage; removal is recommended .
2. A client asks you to evaluate whether the home’s foundation will withstand a major earthquake in the
next 10 years. According to NY Standards of Practice, how should you respond?
A) Provide an opinion based on your experience
B) Decline to provide a guarantee, as home inspections assess current visible conditions and do not
predict future events
C) Consult a structural engineer at no additional cost
D) Include an earthquake risk assessment in your report for an additional fee
, Page 3 of 120
Answer: B – Home inspections evaluate present, observable conditions and do not guarantee future
performance or predict natural events.
3. You inspect a 1920s home and find original knob-and-tube wiring still active in the attic. What is your
primary concern and recommended action?
A) No concern; knob-and-tube is safe if undisturbed
B) Report the presence as a potential safety hazard and recommend evaluation by a licensed electrician
C) Disconnect the wiring immediately
D) Recommend replacement only if the homeowner plans to sell
Answer: B – Knob-and-tube wiring lacks grounding and may have deteriorated insulation; it should be
evaluated by an electrician .
4. While inspecting a gas-fired furnace, you notice the burner flames are yellow and orange instead of
blue. What does this indicate?
A) Proper combustion
B) Incomplete combustion, potentially producing carbon monoxide
C) The furnace is new and breaking in
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D) The gas pressure is too high
Answer: B – Yellow/orange flames indicate incomplete combustion, which can produce dangerous
carbon monoxide .
5. The seller tells you that all appliances are in working order. As a home inspector, you should:
A) Take the seller’s word and not test any appliances
B) Say nothing about appliances in your report
C) If you inspect appliances, tell your client that you will check them out
D) Assume the seller is hiding a problem and report your suspicion to the client
Answer: C – Inspectors should independently verify appliance operation within the scope of the
inspection agreement .
6. A roof slope terminates against an EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish System) wall. Which flashing
detail is correct to prevent water damage?
A) Polyurethane caulking between gutter and wall
B) Silicone caulking between gutter and wall
C) Kick-out flashing directing water into the gutter
