NHIE UPDATED 2026 EXAM SCRIPT QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔10. A Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is a safety device that
A. disconnects power when the grounding to the outlet is faulty.
B. detects moisture and disconnects power in wet locations.
C. disconnects the power when sensing current leakage to ground.
D. protects against electrical surges and voltage spikes. - ✔✔disconnects the power
when sensing current leakage to ground
✔✔11. An electrical system with a fuse on the neutral conductor and on the energized
(hot) conductors
A. is twice as safe as a system where only the energized (hot) conductors are fused.
B. should have the neutral conductor fuse sized to one half the normal ampacity for the
circuit.
C. is overfused up to 50% if used only for lighting.
D. is hazardous and should be corrected. - ✔✔is hazardous and should be corrected
✔✔12. To operate a central air conditioner, an electric clothes dryer, and an electric
range, the ampacity
of the service to the house should be AT LEAST
A. 100 amps at 120 volts.
B. 125 amps at 120 volts.
C. 60 amps at 240 volts.
D. 100 amps at 240 volts. - ✔✔D
✔✔13. A floor joist in a crawl space has been cut where the toilet drain passes through
the floor. The joists are 2x6 spaced at 16" on center. The inspector should recommend
that
A. the buyer monitor the floor. Floor systems such as this have redundant framing and
removal of one joist is insignificant.
B. a contractor should support the cut joist with new piers and posts from below.
C. the cut joist should be headed off to adjacent framing members to distribute the load.
D. a contrator be contacted to determine what is needed and make repairs. - ✔✔D
✔✔14. Most problems with concrete are caused at the time of Installation. What single
factor causes the MOST problems?
A. The concrete has insufficient thickness.
B. Too much water is added to the mix.
C. Too much Portland cement is in the mix.
D. The wrong kind of sand is in the mix. - ✔✔B
✔✔15. Brick chimneys on older properties with oil heat sometimes curve above the roof
line, with no visible cracks. Which is a possible cause of this curving?
A. settlement of the chimney footing
, B. expansion of mortar
C. absence of a cricket flashing at the roof
D. lack of a rain cap on the flue - ✔✔B
✔✔16. Which set of building terms do NOT belong together?
A. cripple trimmer, purlin
B. arch, header, lintel
C. rafters, ceiling joists, trusses
D. sheathing, flooring, decking - ✔✔A
✔✔17. Which has the LEAST effect on the deflection of a dimen sion lumber floor
system?
A joist width
B. joist grade
C. joist species
D. joist spacing - ✔✔A
✔✔18. The normal MAXIMUM rise of residential stair treads is
A. 5 114 inches.
B. 7 314 inches.
C. 8 1/2 inches.
D. 9 % inches. - ✔✔B
✔✔19. An ungrounded receptacle may be replaced by a ground fault circuit interrupter
installed
A. on the same phase as the receptacle.
B. upstream from the receptacle.
D. downstream from the receptacle.
C. anywhere in the receptacle branch circuit. - ✔✔B
✔✔20. Circuit breakers
A. protect inhabitants by limiting shock duration.
B. regulate power to the attached equipment.
C. protect the wire from an electrical overload.
D. measure the current in a circuit. - ✔✔C
✔✔21. In a forced air heating system containing a split system air conditioner and a
humidifier, humidity is reduced by
A running the humidifier in reverse.
B. condensation at the condenser coil.
C. condensation at the evaporator coil.
D. condensation within the compressor. - ✔✔C
✔✔22. A home inspection report MUST include
ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔10. A Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is a safety device that
A. disconnects power when the grounding to the outlet is faulty.
B. detects moisture and disconnects power in wet locations.
C. disconnects the power when sensing current leakage to ground.
D. protects against electrical surges and voltage spikes. - ✔✔disconnects the power
when sensing current leakage to ground
✔✔11. An electrical system with a fuse on the neutral conductor and on the energized
(hot) conductors
A. is twice as safe as a system where only the energized (hot) conductors are fused.
B. should have the neutral conductor fuse sized to one half the normal ampacity for the
circuit.
C. is overfused up to 50% if used only for lighting.
D. is hazardous and should be corrected. - ✔✔is hazardous and should be corrected
✔✔12. To operate a central air conditioner, an electric clothes dryer, and an electric
range, the ampacity
of the service to the house should be AT LEAST
A. 100 amps at 120 volts.
B. 125 amps at 120 volts.
C. 60 amps at 240 volts.
D. 100 amps at 240 volts. - ✔✔D
✔✔13. A floor joist in a crawl space has been cut where the toilet drain passes through
the floor. The joists are 2x6 spaced at 16" on center. The inspector should recommend
that
A. the buyer monitor the floor. Floor systems such as this have redundant framing and
removal of one joist is insignificant.
B. a contractor should support the cut joist with new piers and posts from below.
C. the cut joist should be headed off to adjacent framing members to distribute the load.
D. a contrator be contacted to determine what is needed and make repairs. - ✔✔D
✔✔14. Most problems with concrete are caused at the time of Installation. What single
factor causes the MOST problems?
A. The concrete has insufficient thickness.
B. Too much water is added to the mix.
C. Too much Portland cement is in the mix.
D. The wrong kind of sand is in the mix. - ✔✔B
✔✔15. Brick chimneys on older properties with oil heat sometimes curve above the roof
line, with no visible cracks. Which is a possible cause of this curving?
A. settlement of the chimney footing
, B. expansion of mortar
C. absence of a cricket flashing at the roof
D. lack of a rain cap on the flue - ✔✔B
✔✔16. Which set of building terms do NOT belong together?
A. cripple trimmer, purlin
B. arch, header, lintel
C. rafters, ceiling joists, trusses
D. sheathing, flooring, decking - ✔✔A
✔✔17. Which has the LEAST effect on the deflection of a dimen sion lumber floor
system?
A joist width
B. joist grade
C. joist species
D. joist spacing - ✔✔A
✔✔18. The normal MAXIMUM rise of residential stair treads is
A. 5 114 inches.
B. 7 314 inches.
C. 8 1/2 inches.
D. 9 % inches. - ✔✔B
✔✔19. An ungrounded receptacle may be replaced by a ground fault circuit interrupter
installed
A. on the same phase as the receptacle.
B. upstream from the receptacle.
D. downstream from the receptacle.
C. anywhere in the receptacle branch circuit. - ✔✔B
✔✔20. Circuit breakers
A. protect inhabitants by limiting shock duration.
B. regulate power to the attached equipment.
C. protect the wire from an electrical overload.
D. measure the current in a circuit. - ✔✔C
✔✔21. In a forced air heating system containing a split system air conditioner and a
humidifier, humidity is reduced by
A running the humidifier in reverse.
B. condensation at the condenser coil.
C. condensation at the evaporator coil.
D. condensation within the compressor. - ✔✔C
✔✔22. A home inspection report MUST include
