New York Home Inspector Exam 2026 – 190 Practice Questions with
Answers & Detailed Rationales, Structural Systems, Roofing,
Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Interior & Exterior Components, Safety
& New York Licensing Standards
DOMAIN 1: New York License Law & Professional Practice (Questions 1–28)
Question 1
A candidate applies for a New York home inspector license through the education pathway.
What is the minimum number of approved pre-licensing education hours required?
A. 100 hours
B. 120 hours
C. 140 hours
D. 160 hours
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: New York requires 140 hours of approved coursework, including 40 hours of
supervised field training.
Question 2
Which New York agency administers the home inspector licensing program?
A. Department of Education
B. Department of State, Division of Licensing Services
C. Office of Professional Discipline
D. Division of Consumer Protection
Correct Answer: B
,Explanation: The NYS Department of State, Division of Licensing Services administers home
inspector licensing.
Question 3
A licensed inspector completes an inspection and delivers the report. How long must a copy
of the written report be retained under NY regulations?
A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 5 years
D. 6 years
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: NY regulations require licensed home inspectors to retain copies of written
reports for at least six years.
Question 4
What is the minimum general liability insurance coverage required for a New York home
inspector?
A. $100,000 per occurrence
B. $150,000 per occurrence / $500,000 aggregate
C. $250,000 per occurrence
D. $300,000 per occurrence / $600,000 aggregate
Correct Answer: B
,Explanation: NY requires minimum general liability of $150,000 per occurrence and
$500,000 aggregate.
Question 5
A real estate agent offers to feature an inspector in their office brochure for a fee in
exchange for preferred vendor status. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Accept, as this is standard marketing
B. Accept only if the fee is reasonable
C. Refuse, as this arrangement compromises integrity
D. Accept if other inspectors are also featured
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Paying for preferred vendor status violates ethical practice and compromises
the inspector's objectivity.
Question 6
A client asks the inspector to provide a cost estimate for roof replacement. Under the NYS
Standards of Practice, what should the inspector do?
A. Provide a verbal estimate based on experience
B. Provide a written estimate after the inspection
C. Decline, as estimating is outside the scope of a home inspection
D. Refer the client to a roofing contractor and provide a ballpark figure
Correct Answer: C
, Explanation: Estimating repair costs is outside the scope of a home inspection and could
create liability.
Question 7
What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a New York home inspector license?
A. 18 years
B. 21 years
C. 23 years
D. 25 years
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: New York requires candidates to be at least 18 years old.
Question 8
An inspector discovers a condition that is outside their competence to evaluate. What is the
appropriate action?
A. Ignore it, as it is not covered by the inspection
B. Report it as a defect requiring repair
C. Disclose the limitation and recommend appropriate evaluation
D. State that the condition is unsafe
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Competent practice requires recognizing limitations and recommending further
evaluation when warranted.
Answers & Detailed Rationales, Structural Systems, Roofing,
Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Interior & Exterior Components, Safety
& New York Licensing Standards
DOMAIN 1: New York License Law & Professional Practice (Questions 1–28)
Question 1
A candidate applies for a New York home inspector license through the education pathway.
What is the minimum number of approved pre-licensing education hours required?
A. 100 hours
B. 120 hours
C. 140 hours
D. 160 hours
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: New York requires 140 hours of approved coursework, including 40 hours of
supervised field training.
Question 2
Which New York agency administers the home inspector licensing program?
A. Department of Education
B. Department of State, Division of Licensing Services
C. Office of Professional Discipline
D. Division of Consumer Protection
Correct Answer: B
,Explanation: The NYS Department of State, Division of Licensing Services administers home
inspector licensing.
Question 3
A licensed inspector completes an inspection and delivers the report. How long must a copy
of the written report be retained under NY regulations?
A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 5 years
D. 6 years
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: NY regulations require licensed home inspectors to retain copies of written
reports for at least six years.
Question 4
What is the minimum general liability insurance coverage required for a New York home
inspector?
A. $100,000 per occurrence
B. $150,000 per occurrence / $500,000 aggregate
C. $250,000 per occurrence
D. $300,000 per occurrence / $600,000 aggregate
Correct Answer: B
,Explanation: NY requires minimum general liability of $150,000 per occurrence and
$500,000 aggregate.
Question 5
A real estate agent offers to feature an inspector in their office brochure for a fee in
exchange for preferred vendor status. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Accept, as this is standard marketing
B. Accept only if the fee is reasonable
C. Refuse, as this arrangement compromises integrity
D. Accept if other inspectors are also featured
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Paying for preferred vendor status violates ethical practice and compromises
the inspector's objectivity.
Question 6
A client asks the inspector to provide a cost estimate for roof replacement. Under the NYS
Standards of Practice, what should the inspector do?
A. Provide a verbal estimate based on experience
B. Provide a written estimate after the inspection
C. Decline, as estimating is outside the scope of a home inspection
D. Refer the client to a roofing contractor and provide a ballpark figure
Correct Answer: C
, Explanation: Estimating repair costs is outside the scope of a home inspection and could
create liability.
Question 7
What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a New York home inspector license?
A. 18 years
B. 21 years
C. 23 years
D. 25 years
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: New York requires candidates to be at least 18 years old.
Question 8
An inspector discovers a condition that is outside their competence to evaluate. What is the
appropriate action?
A. Ignore it, as it is not covered by the inspection
B. Report it as a defect requiring repair
C. Disclose the limitation and recommend appropriate evaluation
D. State that the condition is unsafe
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Competent practice requires recognizing limitations and recommending further
evaluation when warranted.
