PSI NATIONAL HOME INSPECTOR
CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION TEST 2026
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ 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. Answer: Conclusion
◉ 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. Answer: A pin
hole in the heat exchanger
◉ The normal MINIMUM run for a residential stair tread is: A. 7 in. B.
8 in. C. 9 in. D. 11 in.. Answer: 9 inches
◉ 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. Answer: Three light testers will not detect
multiple wiring problems
,◉ 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. Answer: Potential safety
issue
◉ 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.. Answer: Looks like stucco but lacks a wire mesh
◉ 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..
Answer: Approved brace or box
◉ 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. Answer: Sensible and latent heat
, ◉ 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. Answer: 6"
fiberglass batt insulation
◉ 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. Answer: Post and beam construction, balloon framing,
platform framing, ICF construction
CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION TEST 2026
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ 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. Answer: Conclusion
◉ 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. Answer: A pin
hole in the heat exchanger
◉ The normal MINIMUM run for a residential stair tread is: A. 7 in. B.
8 in. C. 9 in. D. 11 in.. Answer: 9 inches
◉ 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. Answer: Three light testers will not detect
multiple wiring problems
,◉ 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. Answer: Potential safety
issue
◉ 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.. Answer: Looks like stucco but lacks a wire mesh
◉ 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..
Answer: Approved brace or box
◉ 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. Answer: Sensible and latent heat
, ◉ 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. Answer: 6"
fiberglass batt insulation
◉ 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. Answer: Post and beam construction, balloon framing,
platform framing, ICF construction
