NHIE COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔The ampacity of copper-clad aluminum is
A. the same as for copper wiring.
B. higher than for copper wiring.
C. the same as for aluminum wiring.
D. lower than for aluminum wiring. - ✔✔C. the same as for aluminum wiring.
✔✔Which of the following is currently required to be GFCI protected?
A. Hydromassage tub
B. Attic receptacles
C. Bedroom receptacles
D. receptacles in finished basement - ✔✔A. Hydromassage tub
✔✔In new construction, the MINIMUM overhead electrical conductor clearances are
A. walkway: 8 feet, roadway: 16 feet, deck: 12 feet
B. walkway: 9 feet, roadway: 15 feet, deck: 10 feet
C. walkway: 10 feet, roadway: 18 feet, deck: 10 feet
D. walkway: 12 feet, roadway: 20 feet, deck: 12 feet - ✔✔C. walkway: 10 feet, roadway:
18 feet, deck: 10 feet
✔✔A GFCI functions by sensing
A. an overcurrent condition.
B. a current imbalance.
C. a short circuit.
D. an open neutral. - ✔✔B. a current imbalance.
✔✔Looking into an open electric service panel you see a wire with charred insulation.
What should you do?
A. You are not responsible for removing electric service panel so this situation will never
occur.
B. Check the wire to see if it is hot and then tighten any loose connections.
C. Disconnect the wire, cut the burned area off, and strip and reconnect the wire.
D. Report on the condition, and inform the homeowner that an electrician should repair.
- ✔✔D. Report on the condition, and inform the homeowner that an electrician should
repair.
✔✔Which type overcurrent devices are not allowed in new construction?
, A. Edison base fuses
B. Cartridge fuses
C. circuit breakers
D. half size reakers - ✔✔A. Edison base fuses
✔✔Reversed polarity in a receptacle means:
A. the receptacle is installed upside down.
B. the hot and neutral conductors are reversed
C. the hot and equipment-grounding conductors are reversed
D. the hot and equipment-grounding conductors are reversed - ✔✔B. the hot and
neutral conductors are reversed
✔✔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.
ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔The ampacity of copper-clad aluminum is
A. the same as for copper wiring.
B. higher than for copper wiring.
C. the same as for aluminum wiring.
D. lower than for aluminum wiring. - ✔✔C. the same as for aluminum wiring.
✔✔Which of the following is currently required to be GFCI protected?
A. Hydromassage tub
B. Attic receptacles
C. Bedroom receptacles
D. receptacles in finished basement - ✔✔A. Hydromassage tub
✔✔In new construction, the MINIMUM overhead electrical conductor clearances are
A. walkway: 8 feet, roadway: 16 feet, deck: 12 feet
B. walkway: 9 feet, roadway: 15 feet, deck: 10 feet
C. walkway: 10 feet, roadway: 18 feet, deck: 10 feet
D. walkway: 12 feet, roadway: 20 feet, deck: 12 feet - ✔✔C. walkway: 10 feet, roadway:
18 feet, deck: 10 feet
✔✔A GFCI functions by sensing
A. an overcurrent condition.
B. a current imbalance.
C. a short circuit.
D. an open neutral. - ✔✔B. a current imbalance.
✔✔Looking into an open electric service panel you see a wire with charred insulation.
What should you do?
A. You are not responsible for removing electric service panel so this situation will never
occur.
B. Check the wire to see if it is hot and then tighten any loose connections.
C. Disconnect the wire, cut the burned area off, and strip and reconnect the wire.
D. Report on the condition, and inform the homeowner that an electrician should repair.
- ✔✔D. Report on the condition, and inform the homeowner that an electrician should
repair.
✔✔Which type overcurrent devices are not allowed in new construction?
, A. Edison base fuses
B. Cartridge fuses
C. circuit breakers
D. half size reakers - ✔✔A. Edison base fuses
✔✔Reversed polarity in a receptacle means:
A. the receptacle is installed upside down.
B. the hot and neutral conductors are reversed
C. the hot and equipment-grounding conductors are reversed
D. the hot and equipment-grounding conductors are reversed - ✔✔B. the hot and
neutral conductors are reversed
✔✔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.
