NEW YORK HOME INSPECTOR LICENSE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
SECTION 1: LICENSING & REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
1. Which agency oversees home inspector licensing in New York State?
• A) Department of Labor
• B) Department of State, Division of Licensing Services
• C) Department of Buildings
• D) Department of Environmental Conservation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Licensing for home inspectors is handled by the NYS Department of
State's Division of Licensing Services . This is a key New York-specific distinction.
2. How many total hours of approved training are required for a new home
inspector license in New York?
• A) 100 hours (classroom only)
• B) 140 hours total (100 classroom + 40 field-based)
• C) 200 hours (classroom only)
• D) 40 hours (field training only)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: New York requires 100 hours of approved classroom instruction and 40
hours of unpaid field-based inspections supervised by a licensed inspector . This
totals 140 hours.
,3. What is the required course of study module breakdown for the 140-hour pre-
licensing training?
• A) 25 hours each for Structural/Exterior/Roof, Interior/Insulation/Electrical,
Heating/Cooling/Plumbing, and Profession/License Law/Report Writing
• B) 50 hours for structural systems only
• C) 140 hours of field training only
• D) 100 hours of electrical and plumbing only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The 100 classroom hours are divided into four 25-hour modules:
Module 1—Structural Exterior Roof; Module 2—Interior Insulation/Ventilation
Electrical; Module 3—Heating Cooling Plumbing; Module 4—Overview of
Profession, NYS License Law, Report Writing . This is followed by 40 hours of field-
based training.
4. What is the primary purpose of a home inspection in New York State?
• A) To appraise the market value of the home
• B) To provide a visual examination of accessible systems and components to
identify material defects
• C) To guarantee the future performance of the home
• D) To perform code compliance verification
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A New York home inspection is a limited, visual inspection intended to
identify material defects, not to determine market value or code compliance .
5. A home inspector's report must be delivered within what time frame after the
inspection, unless otherwise agreed?
• A) 12 hours
• B) 5 business days
, • C) 10 calendar days
• D) 15 business days
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NYS standards recommend the report be provided within 5 business
days unless a different timeline is agreed upon .
6. How often must a home inspector's license be renewed in New York?
• A) Every 1 year
• B) Every 2 years
• C) Every 3 years
• D) Every 5 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Licenses must be renewed every two years under New York licensing
rules .
7. How many hours of continuing education (CE) are required for license renewal
in New York?
• A) 8 hours
• B) 16 hours
• C) 24 hours
• D) 40 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: License holders must complete 24 hours of continuing education within
the two-year license renewal period prior to expiration .
8. Which of the following is an acceptable pathway to licensure besides
completing the 140-hour training course?
• A) No alternative pathway exists
, • B) Performing 100 paid home inspections under direct supervision of a
licensed inspector
• C) Having a real estate license for 5 years
• D) Completing a 40-hour online course only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An applicant may qualify by performing 100 home inspections in the
presence of and under the direct supervision of a licensed home inspector,
professional engineer, or architect .
9. Which type of insurance is mandatory for home inspectors in New York?
• A) Life insurance
• B) Fire insurance
• C) General liability insurance
• D) Auto insurance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: General liability insurance is mandatory to protect clients and
inspectors from accidents or damage during inspections .
10. Which document outlines the scope and limitations of a home inspection?
• A) Appraisal form
• B) Pre-inspection agreement
• C) Work order
• D) Warranty certificate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The pre-inspection agreement defines scope, fees, limitations, and
client understanding prior to inspection . It is a critical legal document.
11. Under New York law, which of the following is prohibited for a home
inspector?
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
SECTION 1: LICENSING & REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
1. Which agency oversees home inspector licensing in New York State?
• A) Department of Labor
• B) Department of State, Division of Licensing Services
• C) Department of Buildings
• D) Department of Environmental Conservation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Licensing for home inspectors is handled by the NYS Department of
State's Division of Licensing Services . This is a key New York-specific distinction.
2. How many total hours of approved training are required for a new home
inspector license in New York?
• A) 100 hours (classroom only)
• B) 140 hours total (100 classroom + 40 field-based)
• C) 200 hours (classroom only)
• D) 40 hours (field training only)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: New York requires 100 hours of approved classroom instruction and 40
hours of unpaid field-based inspections supervised by a licensed inspector . This
totals 140 hours.
,3. What is the required course of study module breakdown for the 140-hour pre-
licensing training?
• A) 25 hours each for Structural/Exterior/Roof, Interior/Insulation/Electrical,
Heating/Cooling/Plumbing, and Profession/License Law/Report Writing
• B) 50 hours for structural systems only
• C) 140 hours of field training only
• D) 100 hours of electrical and plumbing only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The 100 classroom hours are divided into four 25-hour modules:
Module 1—Structural Exterior Roof; Module 2—Interior Insulation/Ventilation
Electrical; Module 3—Heating Cooling Plumbing; Module 4—Overview of
Profession, NYS License Law, Report Writing . This is followed by 40 hours of field-
based training.
4. What is the primary purpose of a home inspection in New York State?
• A) To appraise the market value of the home
• B) To provide a visual examination of accessible systems and components to
identify material defects
• C) To guarantee the future performance of the home
• D) To perform code compliance verification
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A New York home inspection is a limited, visual inspection intended to
identify material defects, not to determine market value or code compliance .
5. A home inspector's report must be delivered within what time frame after the
inspection, unless otherwise agreed?
• A) 12 hours
• B) 5 business days
, • C) 10 calendar days
• D) 15 business days
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NYS standards recommend the report be provided within 5 business
days unless a different timeline is agreed upon .
6. How often must a home inspector's license be renewed in New York?
• A) Every 1 year
• B) Every 2 years
• C) Every 3 years
• D) Every 5 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Licenses must be renewed every two years under New York licensing
rules .
7. How many hours of continuing education (CE) are required for license renewal
in New York?
• A) 8 hours
• B) 16 hours
• C) 24 hours
• D) 40 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: License holders must complete 24 hours of continuing education within
the two-year license renewal period prior to expiration .
8. Which of the following is an acceptable pathway to licensure besides
completing the 140-hour training course?
• A) No alternative pathway exists
, • B) Performing 100 paid home inspections under direct supervision of a
licensed inspector
• C) Having a real estate license for 5 years
• D) Completing a 40-hour online course only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An applicant may qualify by performing 100 home inspections in the
presence of and under the direct supervision of a licensed home inspector,
professional engineer, or architect .
9. Which type of insurance is mandatory for home inspectors in New York?
• A) Life insurance
• B) Fire insurance
• C) General liability insurance
• D) Auto insurance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: General liability insurance is mandatory to protect clients and
inspectors from accidents or damage during inspections .
10. Which document outlines the scope and limitations of a home inspection?
• A) Appraisal form
• B) Pre-inspection agreement
• C) Work order
• D) Warranty certificate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The pre-inspection agreement defines scope, fees, limitations, and
client understanding prior to inspection . It is a critical legal document.
11. Under New York law, which of the following is prohibited for a home
inspector?
