NATIONAL HOME INSPECTOR EXAM (NHIE) WHOLE HOUSE 2026 SPRING PRACTICE
QUIZ WITH ACCURATE SOLUTIONS
During an inspection of a gas dryer, you observe no exhaust vent. Your report should:
A. Recommend installing a metal dryer duct vented to the exterior.
B. Recommend installing a flexible plastic dryer duct vented to the exterior.
C. Indicate a code violation and state that corrective action should be taken.
D. Indicate that this is not a problem.
A) Recommend installing a metal dryer duct vented to the exterior.
Ivy has grown across the entire exterior brick wall surfaces of a one-family house. The
home inspector should report that the ivy:
A. Will increase the resale value.
B. Will keep the home cooler in the summer.
C. Could cause damage to the surface and recommend removal.
D. Needs additional maintenance and support to remain on the wall surfaces.
C. Could cause damage to the surface and recommend removal.
In a 1987 conventional wood-frame house, which one of the following signs (by itself) is a
significant problem?
A. A hairline crack in the second floor ceiling next to the exterior wall
B. A hairline crack over the corners of two doorways on the second floor
,C. A long, straight, vertical hairline crack in one room, roughly 1 inch away from wall
corners
D. A 1/2 inch wide wall/floor separation
D. A 1/2 inch wide wall/floor separation
Two roof trusses passing above an interior hallway have been cut to install a pull-down attic
ladder. There is no cracking or indication of distress in the walls or ceilings. Which of the
following is the MOST appropriate action?
A. This is not a concern since this is no indication of distress.
B. This is beyond the scope of an inspection and does not need to be reported.
C. The inspector can evaluate the remaining pieces of the trusses as if they were site-built.
D. The inspector should recommend this situation be referred to a structural engineer.
D. The inspector should recommend this situation be referred to a structural engineer.
The inspector encounters a steam boiler that is shut down for the season. The inspector
has been trained to inspect steam boilers but rarely sees them. What is the BEST method
for dealing with this situation?
A. Visually inspect the boiler, report any visible defects, and note limitations
B. Tell the client that you are not qualified to inspect steam boilers
C. Report that the boiler was shut down
D. Turn on the boiler and fully inspect it
A. Visually inspect the boiler, report any visible defects, and note limitations
, Though I'd argue that it's C. Report that the boiler was shut down
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.
B. Check to see if the bedroom doors are undercut at the bottom.
What is the minimum gap in a crawlspace soil floor to the bottom of a supply or return air
duct?
A. Half the distance between the bottom of the floor joist and soil
B. Minimum of 4" above the floor in the crawlspace
C. Minimum of 8" above the floor in the crawlspace
D. Any distance above the potential flood water level likely to be present
B. Minimum of 4" above the floor in the crawlspace
Damage from ice dams could indicate:
A. Over-exposure of shingles or slates.
QUIZ WITH ACCURATE SOLUTIONS
During an inspection of a gas dryer, you observe no exhaust vent. Your report should:
A. Recommend installing a metal dryer duct vented to the exterior.
B. Recommend installing a flexible plastic dryer duct vented to the exterior.
C. Indicate a code violation and state that corrective action should be taken.
D. Indicate that this is not a problem.
A) Recommend installing a metal dryer duct vented to the exterior.
Ivy has grown across the entire exterior brick wall surfaces of a one-family house. The
home inspector should report that the ivy:
A. Will increase the resale value.
B. Will keep the home cooler in the summer.
C. Could cause damage to the surface and recommend removal.
D. Needs additional maintenance and support to remain on the wall surfaces.
C. Could cause damage to the surface and recommend removal.
In a 1987 conventional wood-frame house, which one of the following signs (by itself) is a
significant problem?
A. A hairline crack in the second floor ceiling next to the exterior wall
B. A hairline crack over the corners of two doorways on the second floor
,C. A long, straight, vertical hairline crack in one room, roughly 1 inch away from wall
corners
D. A 1/2 inch wide wall/floor separation
D. A 1/2 inch wide wall/floor separation
Two roof trusses passing above an interior hallway have been cut to install a pull-down attic
ladder. There is no cracking or indication of distress in the walls or ceilings. Which of the
following is the MOST appropriate action?
A. This is not a concern since this is no indication of distress.
B. This is beyond the scope of an inspection and does not need to be reported.
C. The inspector can evaluate the remaining pieces of the trusses as if they were site-built.
D. The inspector should recommend this situation be referred to a structural engineer.
D. The inspector should recommend this situation be referred to a structural engineer.
The inspector encounters a steam boiler that is shut down for the season. The inspector
has been trained to inspect steam boilers but rarely sees them. What is the BEST method
for dealing with this situation?
A. Visually inspect the boiler, report any visible defects, and note limitations
B. Tell the client that you are not qualified to inspect steam boilers
C. Report that the boiler was shut down
D. Turn on the boiler and fully inspect it
A. Visually inspect the boiler, report any visible defects, and note limitations
, Though I'd argue that it's C. Report that the boiler was shut down
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.
B. Check to see if the bedroom doors are undercut at the bottom.
What is the minimum gap in a crawlspace soil floor to the bottom of a supply or return air
duct?
A. Half the distance between the bottom of the floor joist and soil
B. Minimum of 4" above the floor in the crawlspace
C. Minimum of 8" above the floor in the crawlspace
D. Any distance above the potential flood water level likely to be present
B. Minimum of 4" above the floor in the crawlspace
Damage from ice dams could indicate:
A. Over-exposure of shingles or slates.
