Home Inspector Certification Prep: National Exam
Focus
1 - correct answer ✔✔It is important to maintain a positive grade away from the structure of at
LEAST _______ inch drop per foot for six feet. A. 1/4 B. 1/2 C. 3/4 D. 1
Conclusion - correct answer ✔✔Which of the following BEST describes the report statement
shown below? "The roof is in good condition for its age." A. Conclusion B. Recommendation C.
Description D. Disclaimer
A pin hole in the heat exchanger - correct answer ✔✔Which of the following conditions would
be LEAST critical to your client's safety? A. A pin hole in the heat exchanger B. No handrails on
an interior stairway C. Lack of a pressure and temperature relief valve on the water heater D. A
non-reversing garage door opener
9 inches - correct answer ✔✔The normal MINIMUM run for a residential stair tread is: A. 7 in.
B. 8 in. C. 9 in. D. 11 in.
Three light testers will not detect multiple wiring problems - correct answer ✔✔Standard three
light electrical testers are NOT always reliable because: A. Some receptacles only have two
prongs B. Three light testers sometimes have broken bulbs C. Three light testers will not detect
multiple wiring problems D. Different test device manufactures have different light patterns
Potential safety issue - correct answer ✔✔Bulging plaster is observed high up on several
bedroom walls. The primary concern is the bulging plaster is a(n): A. installation defect B.
indication the home was very cold for a period of time C. indication the air handler leaked D.
potential safety issue
Looks like stucco but lacks a wire mesh - correct answer ✔✔EIFS is a siding material that: A. Is
used in commercial buildings only. B. Looks like stucco but lacks a wire mesh. C. Can be installed
on top of a modified bitumen membrane. D. Can be installed on top of a masonry surface.
,Approved brace or box - correct answer ✔✔While inspecting a home, you observe a large
ceiling fan with built-in lamps. This installation requires a(an): A. Strong ceiling. B. Pancake
junction box. C. Approved brace or box. D. Larger junction box.
Sensible and latent heat - correct answer ✔✔What are the types of heat that must be taken
into account when calculating the cooling loads for an HVAC system?
a. Sensible and radiant heat
b. Radiant and conductive heat
c. Conductive and latent heat
d. Sensible and latent heat
6" fiberglass batt insulation - correct answer ✔✔Which of the following would be most likely to
have the highest R-value?
a. 6" fiberglass batt insulation
b. 12" cast-in-place concrete wall
c. 2" extruded polystyrene panel
d. Triple insulated glazing system with ½" air spaces
Post and beam construction, balloon framing, platform framing, ICF construction - correct
answer ✔✔An inspector can often determine the approximate age of a home by its method of
construction. Which of the following choices shows the methods of construction in order from
first developed to most recently developed?
a. Post and beam construction, balloon framing, platform framing, ICF construction
b. Balloon framing, post and beam construction, ICF construction, platform framing
, c. ICF construction, balloon framing, post and beam construction, platform framing
d. Post and beam construction, platform framing, balloon framing, ICF construction
At the corners of the installation, such as around windows - correct answer ✔✔One is
inspecting an EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finishing System) wall system for deficiencies. Where
would these be most likely to occur?
a. Window heads
b. The center of large expanses of EIFS
c. Along the bottom edge of the EIFS installation
d. At the corners of the installation, such as around windows
The full condensate pan tripped a condensate overflow switch. The unit turned off in order to
ensure that condensate did not spill. - correct answer ✔✔An inspector notes that the heat
pump is not functioning and that the condensate pan under the air handler is full of water. Why
might these two things be related?
a. The full condensate pan tripped a condensate overflow switch. The unit turned off in order to
ensure that condensate did not spill.
b. The full condensate pan indicates that the fan in the air handler is not functioning, as it
should.
c. The full condensate pan indicates that there is a leak in the heat exchanger, which has
depressurized the unit, causing it to turn off.
d. The full condensate pan means that combustion byproducts have condensed and are flowing
back into the house through the flue. This tripped the flue gas spill switch, turning the unit off.
Floor joist - correct answer ✔✔While inspecting a crawl space, you should probe for decay if the
_________ is dark in appearance. A. King joist B. Floor joist C. Masonry wall D. Bearing wall
Focus
1 - correct answer ✔✔It is important to maintain a positive grade away from the structure of at
LEAST _______ inch drop per foot for six feet. A. 1/4 B. 1/2 C. 3/4 D. 1
Conclusion - correct answer ✔✔Which of the following BEST describes the report statement
shown below? "The roof is in good condition for its age." A. Conclusion B. Recommendation C.
Description D. Disclaimer
A pin hole in the heat exchanger - correct answer ✔✔Which of the following conditions would
be LEAST critical to your client's safety? A. A pin hole in the heat exchanger B. No handrails on
an interior stairway C. Lack of a pressure and temperature relief valve on the water heater D. A
non-reversing garage door opener
9 inches - correct answer ✔✔The normal MINIMUM run for a residential stair tread is: A. 7 in.
B. 8 in. C. 9 in. D. 11 in.
Three light testers will not detect multiple wiring problems - correct answer ✔✔Standard three
light electrical testers are NOT always reliable because: A. Some receptacles only have two
prongs B. Three light testers sometimes have broken bulbs C. Three light testers will not detect
multiple wiring problems D. Different test device manufactures have different light patterns
Potential safety issue - correct answer ✔✔Bulging plaster is observed high up on several
bedroom walls. The primary concern is the bulging plaster is a(n): A. installation defect B.
indication the home was very cold for a period of time C. indication the air handler leaked D.
potential safety issue
Looks like stucco but lacks a wire mesh - correct answer ✔✔EIFS is a siding material that: A. Is
used in commercial buildings only. B. Looks like stucco but lacks a wire mesh. C. Can be installed
on top of a modified bitumen membrane. D. Can be installed on top of a masonry surface.
,Approved brace or box - correct answer ✔✔While inspecting a home, you observe a large
ceiling fan with built-in lamps. This installation requires a(an): A. Strong ceiling. B. Pancake
junction box. C. Approved brace or box. D. Larger junction box.
Sensible and latent heat - correct answer ✔✔What are the types of heat that must be taken
into account when calculating the cooling loads for an HVAC system?
a. Sensible and radiant heat
b. Radiant and conductive heat
c. Conductive and latent heat
d. Sensible and latent heat
6" fiberglass batt insulation - correct answer ✔✔Which of the following would be most likely to
have the highest R-value?
a. 6" fiberglass batt insulation
b. 12" cast-in-place concrete wall
c. 2" extruded polystyrene panel
d. Triple insulated glazing system with ½" air spaces
Post and beam construction, balloon framing, platform framing, ICF construction - correct
answer ✔✔An inspector can often determine the approximate age of a home by its method of
construction. Which of the following choices shows the methods of construction in order from
first developed to most recently developed?
a. Post and beam construction, balloon framing, platform framing, ICF construction
b. Balloon framing, post and beam construction, ICF construction, platform framing
, c. ICF construction, balloon framing, post and beam construction, platform framing
d. Post and beam construction, platform framing, balloon framing, ICF construction
At the corners of the installation, such as around windows - correct answer ✔✔One is
inspecting an EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finishing System) wall system for deficiencies. Where
would these be most likely to occur?
a. Window heads
b. The center of large expanses of EIFS
c. Along the bottom edge of the EIFS installation
d. At the corners of the installation, such as around windows
The full condensate pan tripped a condensate overflow switch. The unit turned off in order to
ensure that condensate did not spill. - correct answer ✔✔An inspector notes that the heat
pump is not functioning and that the condensate pan under the air handler is full of water. Why
might these two things be related?
a. The full condensate pan tripped a condensate overflow switch. The unit turned off in order to
ensure that condensate did not spill.
b. The full condensate pan indicates that the fan in the air handler is not functioning, as it
should.
c. The full condensate pan indicates that there is a leak in the heat exchanger, which has
depressurized the unit, causing it to turn off.
d. The full condensate pan means that combustion byproducts have condensed and are flowing
back into the house through the flue. This tripped the flue gas spill switch, turning the unit off.
Floor joist - correct answer ✔✔While inspecting a crawl space, you should probe for decay if the
_________ is dark in appearance. A. King joist B. Floor joist C. Masonry wall D. Bearing wall
