Home Inspector National Exam Questions with Verified
Answers |2026/2027 Update | A+ Graded
What is the minimum slope requirement of a roof with asphalt shingles?
a. ≥1:12
b. ≥2:12
c. ≥3:12
d. ≥4:12 - Answer -≥2:12
How far above grade should a concrete slab extend?
a. At least 4"
b. At least 6"
c. At least 8"
d. There is no minimum requirement - Answer -At least 8"
Damage from ice dams could indicate: A. Over-exposure of shingles or slates. B. Rain gutters
with too low an outer lip. C. Insufficient attic insulation. D. Attic vents left open during winter
months. - Answer -Insufficient attic insulation
While inspecting a one-year-old house, slab on grade, you observe hairline cracks in the
concrete floor with no vertical displacement. This indicates: A. Insufficient reinforcement. B.
Unstable subsoil. C. Over hydrated concrete. D. Normal plastic shrinkage. - Answer -Over
hydrated concrete.
1|Page
,Which of the following is a safety mandate in a remodeled home where a hydromassage
bathtub has been added? A. The faucets must be at the drain end. B. The tub area must have a
venting fan. C. There must be a vacuum breaker. D. There must be a ground fault circuit
interrupter. - Answer -There must be a ground fault circuit interrupter.
You see during your inspection that the air conditioning system has supply registers in each
bedroom, but only one large return register is located in the center hallway. Your FIRST course
of action would be to: A. Recommend to your client that return ducts be installed in each
bedroom. B. Check to see if the bedroom doors are undercut at the bottom. C. Report that the
life of the A/C equipment will be reduced. D. Report that the A/C system will not work well. -
Answer -Check to see if the bedroom doors are undercut at the bottom
Identify the definition of the term: Collar beam.
Home Inspector Test Study Guide with Practice Questions
A. Nominal 1- or 2-inch-thick members connecting opposite roof rafters. They serve to stiffen
the roof structure.
B. Concrete either without reinforcement, or reinforced only for shrinkage or temperature
changes.
C. A horizontal projection from a wall, forming a ledge or supporting the structure above it,
usually built with masonry.
D. Nominal 2-inch-thick members, usually 2 by 4's, cut in between each stud diagonally. -
Answer -Nominal 1- or 2-inch-thick members connecting opposite roof rafters. They serve to
stiffen the roof structure.
2|Page
, Which of the following terms matches the definition: A wall is usually considered unsafe if it
leans to such an extent that a plumb line passing through its center of gravity does not fall
inside the middle one-third of its base?
A. V-1 rule
B. V-2 rule
C. V-3 rule
D. V-4 rule - Answer -V-3 rule
Which of the following would need further investigation when checking the stucco on a home?
A. Old and weathered cracks
B. New, sharp cracks
C. No areas of water infiltration
D. No evidence of crubling sections - Answer -New, sharp cracks
Every sleeping room and habitable basement room should have at least one operable window
or exterior door for emergency egress or rescue.
B. Egress windows should have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet.
C. Emergency egress or rescue windows and doors should not have bars or grilles unless they
are releasable from inside without a key, tool, or special knowledge.
D. Egress windows must have a clear height of at least 16 inches. - Answer -Egress windows
must have a clear height of at least 16 inches.
3|Page
Answers |2026/2027 Update | A+ Graded
What is the minimum slope requirement of a roof with asphalt shingles?
a. ≥1:12
b. ≥2:12
c. ≥3:12
d. ≥4:12 - Answer -≥2:12
How far above grade should a concrete slab extend?
a. At least 4"
b. At least 6"
c. At least 8"
d. There is no minimum requirement - Answer -At least 8"
Damage from ice dams could indicate: A. Over-exposure of shingles or slates. B. Rain gutters
with too low an outer lip. C. Insufficient attic insulation. D. Attic vents left open during winter
months. - Answer -Insufficient attic insulation
While inspecting a one-year-old house, slab on grade, you observe hairline cracks in the
concrete floor with no vertical displacement. This indicates: A. Insufficient reinforcement. B.
Unstable subsoil. C. Over hydrated concrete. D. Normal plastic shrinkage. - Answer -Over
hydrated concrete.
1|Page
,Which of the following is a safety mandate in a remodeled home where a hydromassage
bathtub has been added? A. The faucets must be at the drain end. B. The tub area must have a
venting fan. C. There must be a vacuum breaker. D. There must be a ground fault circuit
interrupter. - Answer -There must be a ground fault circuit interrupter.
You see during your inspection that the air conditioning system has supply registers in each
bedroom, but only one large return register is located in the center hallway. Your FIRST course
of action would be to: A. Recommend to your client that return ducts be installed in each
bedroom. B. Check to see if the bedroom doors are undercut at the bottom. C. Report that the
life of the A/C equipment will be reduced. D. Report that the A/C system will not work well. -
Answer -Check to see if the bedroom doors are undercut at the bottom
Identify the definition of the term: Collar beam.
Home Inspector Test Study Guide with Practice Questions
A. Nominal 1- or 2-inch-thick members connecting opposite roof rafters. They serve to stiffen
the roof structure.
B. Concrete either without reinforcement, or reinforced only for shrinkage or temperature
changes.
C. A horizontal projection from a wall, forming a ledge or supporting the structure above it,
usually built with masonry.
D. Nominal 2-inch-thick members, usually 2 by 4's, cut in between each stud diagonally. -
Answer -Nominal 1- or 2-inch-thick members connecting opposite roof rafters. They serve to
stiffen the roof structure.
2|Page
, Which of the following terms matches the definition: A wall is usually considered unsafe if it
leans to such an extent that a plumb line passing through its center of gravity does not fall
inside the middle one-third of its base?
A. V-1 rule
B. V-2 rule
C. V-3 rule
D. V-4 rule - Answer -V-3 rule
Which of the following would need further investigation when checking the stucco on a home?
A. Old and weathered cracks
B. New, sharp cracks
C. No areas of water infiltration
D. No evidence of crubling sections - Answer -New, sharp cracks
Every sleeping room and habitable basement room should have at least one operable window
or exterior door for emergency egress or rescue.
B. Egress windows should have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet.
C. Emergency egress or rescue windows and doors should not have bars or grilles unless they
are releasable from inside without a key, tool, or special knowledge.
D. Egress windows must have a clear height of at least 16 inches. - Answer -Egress windows
must have a clear height of at least 16 inches.
3|Page
