FULL NHIE EXAM PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & ACCURATE ANSWERS
2026 LATEST UPDATE
1. Masonry chimneys should have a clearance from combustible framing members of
(a) 1 inch.
(b) 2 inches.
(c) 4 inches.
(d) 12 inches.
2 inches
2. Efflorescence
(a) Is associated with water moving through masonry walls.
(b) Can only appear on the cold side of a wall.
(c) Only occurs in freezing climates.
(d) Is an organic growth.
Is associated with water moving through masonry walls
3. On a conventional split-system air-conditioning system, the high-pressure side is the
portion of the refrigerant line from the
(a) Compressor to the expansion device.
(b) Metering device to the evaporator coil.
(c) Expansion device to the compressor.
(d) Evaporator to the compressor.
Compressor to the expansion device.
4. The presence of step flashing on an asphalt shingle roof can typically be verified by
(a) Looking at the counter flashing.
(b) Knowing the age of the shingles on the roof.
(c) Knowing the number of layers of shingles on the roof.
(d) Lifting the shingles adjacent to the chimney or wall
Lifting the shingles adjacent to the chimney or wall
5. Why are you more likely to see a house with a full basement in cold northern climates
than in warm southern climates?
(a) People in cold climates have snow removal equipment to store.
(b) Having to excavate below the frost line for the footings makes a basement cost
,effective.
(c) Homes with basements need heat. In southern climates, it is a waste of energy to
heat the basement.
(d) There is a lot of bedrock in the southern climates " blasting would be required to
make a basement.
Having to excavate below the frost line for the footings makes a basement cost
effective.
6. All of the following are advantages to having clients attend inspections EXCEPT (a)
An opportunity for better communication.
(b) You can charge a premium for allowing clients to attend.
(c) That showing is better than telling.
(d) You have the opportunity to adjust expectations.
You can charge a premium for allowing clients to attend
19. The flame of the left burner in a two-burner conventional efficiency furnace touches
the heat exchanger only when the blower is running. What is likely to be the problem?
(a) The heat exchanger is cracked on the left side.
(b) The heat exchanger is cracked on the right side.
(c) The left burner is dirty.
(d) The left burner is misaligned.
The heat exchanger is cracked on the left side
7. What would you do if you saw that a roof truss had been cut?
(a) Advise client to sister a 2 x 4 piece over the cut. The sistered piece should extend at
least three feet on either side of the cut.
(b) Advise client that cuts in trusses are not a problem.
(c) Look for other signs of distress and, if none, do nothing.
(d) Advise further evaluation by a specialist.
Advise further evaluation by a specialist
8. Given a foundation wall that is cracked due to horizontal force
(a) You will not be able to determine whether the wall has also moved
inward.
(b) If the wall has moved inward, the cracks would typically be wider on the inside face.
(c) If the wall has moved inward, cracks will typically be wider on the outside face.
(d) You should not be concerned unless the crack is at least ¼ in width.
If the wall has moved inward, the cracks would typically be wider on the inside face
9. On most steep roofs, exposed fasteners are
(a) Used for anchorage against wind.
,(b) A sign of poor installation.
(c) A sign of good installation.
(d) Used to prevent ice dams.
A sign of poor installation
10. All of the following are slab-on-grade-construction techniques EXCEPT
(a) Monolithic slab.
(b) Floating slab.
(c) Inverted slab.
(d) Reinforced slab.
Inverted slab
11. Where you have found evidence of footing settlement, how can you predict whether
there will be further settlement?
(a) You can count the number of planes of movement.
(b) You can determine the type of foundation material.
(c) You cannot predict settlement from a single inspection.
(d) You can determine the depth of the footing.
You cannot predict settlement from a single inspection
12. You typically identify a Freon leak
(a) As an oil stain
(b) As refrigerant coming out of the Freon line in the form of a cold mist.
(c) By the strong odor.
(d) By looking for evidence of ice along the refrigerant lines
As an oil stain
13. Typical wood frame wall assemblies include all of the following components
EXCEPT.
(a) Studs
(b) Bridging
(c) Sheathing
(d) Siding
Bridging
14. All of the following are common approaches to improving chimney draft EXCEPT
(a) Adding a draft inducer fan.
(b) Adding a rain cap.
(c) Extending the chimney upward.
(d) Resloping the cap.
Resloping the cap
, 15. All of the following statements are true of shrinkage cracks EXCEPT that
(a) Shrinkage cracks do not typically go into the footings.
(b) Shrinkage cracks do not necessarily have corresponding cracks
elsewhere in the building.
(c) Vertical shear is associated with shrinkage cracks.
(d) Shrinkage cracks are common with poured concrete foundation
walls.
Vertical shear is associated with shrinkage cracks
17. Which of the following is NOT typically a component of a private water supply
system?
(a) Foot valve
(b) Pump
(c) Pressure regulator
(d) Pressure tank
Pressure regulator
18. Split-system, air-cooled, central air-conditioning systems have how many fans?
(a) None
(b) One
(c) Two
(d) Four
Two
19. Insulated metal exterior doors with storm doors should be avoided because they
may
(a) Increase heat loss.
(b) Increase air leakage.
(c) Overheat.
(d) Have poor architectural appeal.
Overheat
20. You plug your circuit tester into an outlet that has a washing machine plugged into it.
Your tester shows that the outlet is properly wired and grounded. How could you
improve this inspection process?
(a) Use a voltage tester
(b) Use a circuit tester with a GFI test button
(c) Unplug the washing machine
(d) Turn the washing machine on before doing your test.
Unplug the washing machine
21. CPVC water pipe may not be used for hot and cold supply lines
(a) In single-family residences.
(b) In multifamily residences.
QUESTIONS & ACCURATE ANSWERS
2026 LATEST UPDATE
1. Masonry chimneys should have a clearance from combustible framing members of
(a) 1 inch.
(b) 2 inches.
(c) 4 inches.
(d) 12 inches.
2 inches
2. Efflorescence
(a) Is associated with water moving through masonry walls.
(b) Can only appear on the cold side of a wall.
(c) Only occurs in freezing climates.
(d) Is an organic growth.
Is associated with water moving through masonry walls
3. On a conventional split-system air-conditioning system, the high-pressure side is the
portion of the refrigerant line from the
(a) Compressor to the expansion device.
(b) Metering device to the evaporator coil.
(c) Expansion device to the compressor.
(d) Evaporator to the compressor.
Compressor to the expansion device.
4. The presence of step flashing on an asphalt shingle roof can typically be verified by
(a) Looking at the counter flashing.
(b) Knowing the age of the shingles on the roof.
(c) Knowing the number of layers of shingles on the roof.
(d) Lifting the shingles adjacent to the chimney or wall
Lifting the shingles adjacent to the chimney or wall
5. Why are you more likely to see a house with a full basement in cold northern climates
than in warm southern climates?
(a) People in cold climates have snow removal equipment to store.
(b) Having to excavate below the frost line for the footings makes a basement cost
,effective.
(c) Homes with basements need heat. In southern climates, it is a waste of energy to
heat the basement.
(d) There is a lot of bedrock in the southern climates " blasting would be required to
make a basement.
Having to excavate below the frost line for the footings makes a basement cost
effective.
6. All of the following are advantages to having clients attend inspections EXCEPT (a)
An opportunity for better communication.
(b) You can charge a premium for allowing clients to attend.
(c) That showing is better than telling.
(d) You have the opportunity to adjust expectations.
You can charge a premium for allowing clients to attend
19. The flame of the left burner in a two-burner conventional efficiency furnace touches
the heat exchanger only when the blower is running. What is likely to be the problem?
(a) The heat exchanger is cracked on the left side.
(b) The heat exchanger is cracked on the right side.
(c) The left burner is dirty.
(d) The left burner is misaligned.
The heat exchanger is cracked on the left side
7. What would you do if you saw that a roof truss had been cut?
(a) Advise client to sister a 2 x 4 piece over the cut. The sistered piece should extend at
least three feet on either side of the cut.
(b) Advise client that cuts in trusses are not a problem.
(c) Look for other signs of distress and, if none, do nothing.
(d) Advise further evaluation by a specialist.
Advise further evaluation by a specialist
8. Given a foundation wall that is cracked due to horizontal force
(a) You will not be able to determine whether the wall has also moved
inward.
(b) If the wall has moved inward, the cracks would typically be wider on the inside face.
(c) If the wall has moved inward, cracks will typically be wider on the outside face.
(d) You should not be concerned unless the crack is at least ¼ in width.
If the wall has moved inward, the cracks would typically be wider on the inside face
9. On most steep roofs, exposed fasteners are
(a) Used for anchorage against wind.
,(b) A sign of poor installation.
(c) A sign of good installation.
(d) Used to prevent ice dams.
A sign of poor installation
10. All of the following are slab-on-grade-construction techniques EXCEPT
(a) Monolithic slab.
(b) Floating slab.
(c) Inverted slab.
(d) Reinforced slab.
Inverted slab
11. Where you have found evidence of footing settlement, how can you predict whether
there will be further settlement?
(a) You can count the number of planes of movement.
(b) You can determine the type of foundation material.
(c) You cannot predict settlement from a single inspection.
(d) You can determine the depth of the footing.
You cannot predict settlement from a single inspection
12. You typically identify a Freon leak
(a) As an oil stain
(b) As refrigerant coming out of the Freon line in the form of a cold mist.
(c) By the strong odor.
(d) By looking for evidence of ice along the refrigerant lines
As an oil stain
13. Typical wood frame wall assemblies include all of the following components
EXCEPT.
(a) Studs
(b) Bridging
(c) Sheathing
(d) Siding
Bridging
14. All of the following are common approaches to improving chimney draft EXCEPT
(a) Adding a draft inducer fan.
(b) Adding a rain cap.
(c) Extending the chimney upward.
(d) Resloping the cap.
Resloping the cap
, 15. All of the following statements are true of shrinkage cracks EXCEPT that
(a) Shrinkage cracks do not typically go into the footings.
(b) Shrinkage cracks do not necessarily have corresponding cracks
elsewhere in the building.
(c) Vertical shear is associated with shrinkage cracks.
(d) Shrinkage cracks are common with poured concrete foundation
walls.
Vertical shear is associated with shrinkage cracks
17. Which of the following is NOT typically a component of a private water supply
system?
(a) Foot valve
(b) Pump
(c) Pressure regulator
(d) Pressure tank
Pressure regulator
18. Split-system, air-cooled, central air-conditioning systems have how many fans?
(a) None
(b) One
(c) Two
(d) Four
Two
19. Insulated metal exterior doors with storm doors should be avoided because they
may
(a) Increase heat loss.
(b) Increase air leakage.
(c) Overheat.
(d) Have poor architectural appeal.
Overheat
20. You plug your circuit tester into an outlet that has a washing machine plugged into it.
Your tester shows that the outlet is properly wired and grounded. How could you
improve this inspection process?
(a) Use a voltage tester
(b) Use a circuit tester with a GFI test button
(c) Unplug the washing machine
(d) Turn the washing machine on before doing your test.
Unplug the washing machine
21. CPVC water pipe may not be used for hot and cold supply lines
(a) In single-family residences.
(b) In multifamily residences.
