Professional Home Inspector Exam NHIE &
TREC Questions & Answers | Complete
Practice Test | Latest 2026–2027
** Expert-Verified Explanation
** All Questions with Verified Answer
** Guaranteed Pass
** 100% Correct Answers | Graded A+
,The inspector is not required to determine ____ ___ of -Years of age
any system or component. -Life expectancy
-Make model
Horizontal waste pipe should slope ____ inch per foot 1/4" per foot if < 3 inch pipe.
1/8" per foot if > or = to 3 inch pipe
Drip screed Also called weep screed.
Used at the base/bottom of stucco walls to release moisture.
Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB) Used for Backflow Prevention.
Lawn Irrigation systems: installed vertically 6 to 12 inches above highest
outlet/emitter and before the irrigation system valves.
Lintel L shaped steel installed to support brick veneer above openings such as
windows and doors.
Should bear on 6 inches or greater of the supporting veneer.
Rusted lintels may expand and cause cracks around openings.
Guardrail for decks and patios A deck 30" above grade requires a guardrail.
Required if deck is > or = to 30 inches above grade.
Balusters and openings should not exceed 4 inches in diameter.
Rail height must be > or = to 36 inches from deck.
Minimum overlap on vertically installed fiber cement 1 1/4 inches overlap, and blind nailing recommended
siding
Distance required between wall cladding and roof 1" to 2" (1 inch minimum, some local code is 2")
covering materials?
What is the concern with a Double sided key lock All means of egress (escape), must be operable from the inside without special
deadbolt knowledge or tools. A keyed lock is a danger.
Fiberglass shingle roof that is 5 years old is losing Improper installation. Sealing strip or nailing was not done properly.
granular and cupping. Attic insulation and venting is
adequate. What is the most reasonable explanation?
What is the last part to fail in a slate roof system? The slate itself. Flashings eventually wear out, but long before the slate.
Metal roof has minor rust in spots. What is the corrective Removing the rust, priming and painting.
action?
What type of flashing is found on a gable edge? Rake edge or edge flashing. A gable Edge is called a rake.
Which construction framing provides fire blocking? a platform-framed structure
The Bottom chords of trusses were cut to fit other Recommend a structural engineer .
construction. What is the recommendation?
What purpose does a barometric damper serve? To control the draft
,Water is dripping from discharge piping coming from a A leak
hydronic heating system. What is most likely the cause?
Masonry Chimney is required to be _____ inches from 2"
wood framing in the attic?
When new insulation is placed directly over old in the Score or remove the vapor paper
attic, what is the correct way to place / handle Kraft
paper on new insulation?
What two structural components would be tied together Truss/rafter to the top of walls
with hurricane ties?
What type of piping is used for a pool circulation system? Schedule 40 PVC
Does the main water supply shutoff have to be above Accessible ?
grade, below grade, or accessible?
Distance between interior electrical receptacles? 12'
A wood burning furnace should be how far away from 18"
combustibles
Dishwasher drain line is installed where in reference to Above
the trap?
stairs, staircase tread depth Tread depth should be a minimum of 10 inches. 11 inches if there is no nosing.
The difference between any two riser heights, treads or nosing in a flight of stairs
should be no more than 3/8ths of an inch
Staircase Nosing projection Nosing should project between 3/4th inch and 1 1/4th inch
The difference between any two riser heights, treads or nosing in a flight of stairs
should be no more than 3/8ths of an inch
Staircase Riser height Riser height should be 7 3/4th inches maximum
The difference between any two riser heights, treads or nosing in a flight of stairs
should be no more than 3/8ths of an inch
Stair stringers and width Stairs wider than 36 inches should have at least three stringers
Spiral staircase Tread depth should be a minimum of 7 1/2 inches, measured 12 inches from the
narrow side.
Riser height should be 9 1/2 inches maximum.
Minimum width is 26 inches at / below the handrail
Hearth size requirements for greater than and smaller 6' opening - 16" in front and 8" sides
than 6 square feet
Over 6' - 20" and 12"
What is a cricket or saddle? A ridge structure designed to divert water on a roof around the high side of a
chimney or the transition from one roof area to another
, Deadman any type of anchor embedded in the supported soil and tied to the retaining wall
Egress window A window large enough, as defined by local building codes, for exit or entry in
case of an emergency. Typically required in bedrooms.
Size:
Height above floor:
Which roof covering would be best for a slope of 2 2:12 is minimum for asphalt. Recommend metal roof.
inches per foot?
Foundation anchor bolts shall be at least ___ inch in 1/2 and 7 inches
diameter and shall extend a minimum of ___ inches into
the concrete or grouted cells of concrete masonry units.
Foundation anchors should be ___ from ends and ___ 4-12 inches and 6 feet
apart/between.
Floor joists are installed with the crown facing which Up
direction?
Grounding electrode should be a minimum of ___ feet 8'
below grade
A window in a shower requires safety glazing if the Less than 60" in any bathing/swimming area
bottom is ___ inches above the shower pan.
Safety glazing is required where Panes larger than 9 square feet if all the following are true:
Bottom less than 18" from floor
Top edge over 36" from floor
Walkway within 36" of glazing
The shower opening (or access and egress opening) 22 inches wide opening, and 24 horizontal inches in front of door
should be at least _____ finish-width and ___ inches Also, the door should always open outward or OK if it opens both in and out.
unobstructed in front of the door.
Swale A graded flow path used in open drainage systems.
Non-Metallic Sheathed Cable (NM) _________ is a factory assembly of two or more insulated conductors having an
outer sheath of moisture resistant flame-retardant, non-metallic material.
Commonly called Romex.
Should be supported every 4 1/2 feet, and within 1 foot of boxes and
terminations.
Should have a nail guard when run closer than 1 1/4 inches from framing
members.
What is the Temperature on the large refrigerant line Cool. The large (Suction) line should be cool, low pressure, returning to the
when AC is in cool mode? condenser outside.
Underground feeder (UF) Similar to Nonmetallic sheathed cable (NM), but UF is Designed for wet locations
and may be buried.
Compressor does what? Compresses cool gas to superheated high pressure gas to send through the
condenser.
TREC Questions & Answers | Complete
Practice Test | Latest 2026–2027
** Expert-Verified Explanation
** All Questions with Verified Answer
** Guaranteed Pass
** 100% Correct Answers | Graded A+
,The inspector is not required to determine ____ ___ of -Years of age
any system or component. -Life expectancy
-Make model
Horizontal waste pipe should slope ____ inch per foot 1/4" per foot if < 3 inch pipe.
1/8" per foot if > or = to 3 inch pipe
Drip screed Also called weep screed.
Used at the base/bottom of stucco walls to release moisture.
Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB) Used for Backflow Prevention.
Lawn Irrigation systems: installed vertically 6 to 12 inches above highest
outlet/emitter and before the irrigation system valves.
Lintel L shaped steel installed to support brick veneer above openings such as
windows and doors.
Should bear on 6 inches or greater of the supporting veneer.
Rusted lintels may expand and cause cracks around openings.
Guardrail for decks and patios A deck 30" above grade requires a guardrail.
Required if deck is > or = to 30 inches above grade.
Balusters and openings should not exceed 4 inches in diameter.
Rail height must be > or = to 36 inches from deck.
Minimum overlap on vertically installed fiber cement 1 1/4 inches overlap, and blind nailing recommended
siding
Distance required between wall cladding and roof 1" to 2" (1 inch minimum, some local code is 2")
covering materials?
What is the concern with a Double sided key lock All means of egress (escape), must be operable from the inside without special
deadbolt knowledge or tools. A keyed lock is a danger.
Fiberglass shingle roof that is 5 years old is losing Improper installation. Sealing strip or nailing was not done properly.
granular and cupping. Attic insulation and venting is
adequate. What is the most reasonable explanation?
What is the last part to fail in a slate roof system? The slate itself. Flashings eventually wear out, but long before the slate.
Metal roof has minor rust in spots. What is the corrective Removing the rust, priming and painting.
action?
What type of flashing is found on a gable edge? Rake edge or edge flashing. A gable Edge is called a rake.
Which construction framing provides fire blocking? a platform-framed structure
The Bottom chords of trusses were cut to fit other Recommend a structural engineer .
construction. What is the recommendation?
What purpose does a barometric damper serve? To control the draft
,Water is dripping from discharge piping coming from a A leak
hydronic heating system. What is most likely the cause?
Masonry Chimney is required to be _____ inches from 2"
wood framing in the attic?
When new insulation is placed directly over old in the Score or remove the vapor paper
attic, what is the correct way to place / handle Kraft
paper on new insulation?
What two structural components would be tied together Truss/rafter to the top of walls
with hurricane ties?
What type of piping is used for a pool circulation system? Schedule 40 PVC
Does the main water supply shutoff have to be above Accessible ?
grade, below grade, or accessible?
Distance between interior electrical receptacles? 12'
A wood burning furnace should be how far away from 18"
combustibles
Dishwasher drain line is installed where in reference to Above
the trap?
stairs, staircase tread depth Tread depth should be a minimum of 10 inches. 11 inches if there is no nosing.
The difference between any two riser heights, treads or nosing in a flight of stairs
should be no more than 3/8ths of an inch
Staircase Nosing projection Nosing should project between 3/4th inch and 1 1/4th inch
The difference between any two riser heights, treads or nosing in a flight of stairs
should be no more than 3/8ths of an inch
Staircase Riser height Riser height should be 7 3/4th inches maximum
The difference between any two riser heights, treads or nosing in a flight of stairs
should be no more than 3/8ths of an inch
Stair stringers and width Stairs wider than 36 inches should have at least three stringers
Spiral staircase Tread depth should be a minimum of 7 1/2 inches, measured 12 inches from the
narrow side.
Riser height should be 9 1/2 inches maximum.
Minimum width is 26 inches at / below the handrail
Hearth size requirements for greater than and smaller 6' opening - 16" in front and 8" sides
than 6 square feet
Over 6' - 20" and 12"
What is a cricket or saddle? A ridge structure designed to divert water on a roof around the high side of a
chimney or the transition from one roof area to another
, Deadman any type of anchor embedded in the supported soil and tied to the retaining wall
Egress window A window large enough, as defined by local building codes, for exit or entry in
case of an emergency. Typically required in bedrooms.
Size:
Height above floor:
Which roof covering would be best for a slope of 2 2:12 is minimum for asphalt. Recommend metal roof.
inches per foot?
Foundation anchor bolts shall be at least ___ inch in 1/2 and 7 inches
diameter and shall extend a minimum of ___ inches into
the concrete or grouted cells of concrete masonry units.
Foundation anchors should be ___ from ends and ___ 4-12 inches and 6 feet
apart/between.
Floor joists are installed with the crown facing which Up
direction?
Grounding electrode should be a minimum of ___ feet 8'
below grade
A window in a shower requires safety glazing if the Less than 60" in any bathing/swimming area
bottom is ___ inches above the shower pan.
Safety glazing is required where Panes larger than 9 square feet if all the following are true:
Bottom less than 18" from floor
Top edge over 36" from floor
Walkway within 36" of glazing
The shower opening (or access and egress opening) 22 inches wide opening, and 24 horizontal inches in front of door
should be at least _____ finish-width and ___ inches Also, the door should always open outward or OK if it opens both in and out.
unobstructed in front of the door.
Swale A graded flow path used in open drainage systems.
Non-Metallic Sheathed Cable (NM) _________ is a factory assembly of two or more insulated conductors having an
outer sheath of moisture resistant flame-retardant, non-metallic material.
Commonly called Romex.
Should be supported every 4 1/2 feet, and within 1 foot of boxes and
terminations.
Should have a nail guard when run closer than 1 1/4 inches from framing
members.
What is the Temperature on the large refrigerant line Cool. The large (Suction) line should be cool, low pressure, returning to the
when AC is in cool mode? condenser outside.
Underground feeder (UF) Similar to Nonmetallic sheathed cable (NM), but UF is Designed for wet locations
and may be buried.
Compressor does what? Compresses cool gas to superheated high pressure gas to send through the
condenser.
