IAEI RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICAL
INSPECTOR (CEI-R) EXAMINATION WITH
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS, PLUS EXPLAINED
RATIONALES/EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED 100% PASS 2026/LATEST
UPDATE/INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. During the inspection of a newly installed one-family dwelling, the
electrical inspector observes that all branch circuits are installed
using Type NM-B cable concealed within finished walls. Which
condition would be the most likely violation of NEC requirements?
A. NM cable is installed in normally dry locations within wall cavities.
B. NM cable passes through bored holes protected with steel nail plates
where required.
C. NM cable is installed exposed on the garage wall below 7 feet
without protection from physical damage.
D. NM cable is supported within required intervals.
Answer: C. NM cable is installed exposed on the garage wall below 7
feet without protection from physical damage.
Rationale: Type NM cable is permitted in normally dry locations but
must be protected where exposed to physical damage. Garage walls
frequently require protection if cables are subject to impact. Inspectors
must evaluate exposure conditions rather than simply cable type.
2. A kitchen small-appliance branch circuit supplies countertop
receptacles. Which requirement is correct?
A. The circuit may also supply dining room lighting.
B. The circuit may supply a refrigerator only if no countertop
1
,receptacles are connected.
C. At least two 20-ampere small-appliance branch circuits are required.
D. Only one 15-ampere circuit is required if GFCI protected.
Answer: C. At least two 20-ampere small-appliance branch circuits
are required.
Rationale: Residential kitchens require a minimum of two 20-ampere
small-appliance branch circuits serving designated receptacle outlets.
These circuits cannot serve lighting outlets or unrelated loads.
3. Which conductor color is prohibited from being used as an
ungrounded conductor unless permanently re-identified?
A. Black
B. Red
C. White
D. Blue
Answer: C. White
Rationale: White and gray conductors are reserved for grounded
conductors unless specifically permitted to be permanently re-identified
for certain applications such as switch loops or cable assemblies where
allowed.
4. A bathroom branch circuit supplies receptacles in two bathrooms.
Under NEC requirements, this installation is acceptable only if:
A. The circuit also supplies hallway lighting.
B. The circuit supplies only bathroom receptacle outlets.
C. The circuit supplies all bathroom lighting.
D. The circuit is AFCI protected only.
Answer: B. The circuit supplies only bathroom receptacle outlets.
2
,Rationale: A 20-amp bathroom receptacle circuit may supply receptacle
outlets in multiple bathrooms provided it serves only receptacle outlets
and no lighting or other loads.
5. What is the primary purpose of bonding metal raceways?
A. Increase conductor ampacity.
B. Provide an effective ground-fault current path.
C. Reduce voltage drop.
D. Improve power factor.
Answer: B. Provide an effective ground-fault current path.
Rationale: Bonding ensures electrically conductive parts remain at the
same potential and provides a low-impedance path that facilitates
operation of overcurrent protective devices during faults.
6. A receptacle installed within 6 feet of the outside edge of a sink in
a dwelling kitchen must be:
A. Weather resistant.
B. AFCI only.
C. GFCI protected.
D. Twist-lock type.
Answer: C. GFCI protected.
Rationale: Kitchen receptacles serving countertop areas within the
prescribed distance from sinks require GFCI protection to reduce shock
hazards.
7. Which location requires at least one receptacle outlet regardless of
room size?
3
, A. Closet.
B. Bathroom.
C. Hallway less than 10 feet long.
D. Attic with no equipment.
Answer: B. Bathroom.
Rationale: Each bathroom requires at least one receptacle outlet
located near the basin to accommodate grooming appliances.
8. The minimum working space depth in front of most residential
panelboards operating at 150 volts to ground is:
A. 24 inches.
B. 30 inches.
C. 36 inches.
D. 48 inches.
Answer: C. 36 inches.
Rationale: Working clearance requirements provide safe access for
inspection and maintenance while minimizing shock hazards.
9. Which device provides personnel protection against electric shock
from ground faults?
A. AFCI
B. GFCI
C. SPD
D. Disconnect switch
Answer: B. GFCI
4
INSPECTOR (CEI-R) EXAMINATION WITH
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS, PLUS EXPLAINED
RATIONALES/EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED 100% PASS 2026/LATEST
UPDATE/INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. During the inspection of a newly installed one-family dwelling, the
electrical inspector observes that all branch circuits are installed
using Type NM-B cable concealed within finished walls. Which
condition would be the most likely violation of NEC requirements?
A. NM cable is installed in normally dry locations within wall cavities.
B. NM cable passes through bored holes protected with steel nail plates
where required.
C. NM cable is installed exposed on the garage wall below 7 feet
without protection from physical damage.
D. NM cable is supported within required intervals.
Answer: C. NM cable is installed exposed on the garage wall below 7
feet without protection from physical damage.
Rationale: Type NM cable is permitted in normally dry locations but
must be protected where exposed to physical damage. Garage walls
frequently require protection if cables are subject to impact. Inspectors
must evaluate exposure conditions rather than simply cable type.
2. A kitchen small-appliance branch circuit supplies countertop
receptacles. Which requirement is correct?
A. The circuit may also supply dining room lighting.
B. The circuit may supply a refrigerator only if no countertop
1
,receptacles are connected.
C. At least two 20-ampere small-appliance branch circuits are required.
D. Only one 15-ampere circuit is required if GFCI protected.
Answer: C. At least two 20-ampere small-appliance branch circuits
are required.
Rationale: Residential kitchens require a minimum of two 20-ampere
small-appliance branch circuits serving designated receptacle outlets.
These circuits cannot serve lighting outlets or unrelated loads.
3. Which conductor color is prohibited from being used as an
ungrounded conductor unless permanently re-identified?
A. Black
B. Red
C. White
D. Blue
Answer: C. White
Rationale: White and gray conductors are reserved for grounded
conductors unless specifically permitted to be permanently re-identified
for certain applications such as switch loops or cable assemblies where
allowed.
4. A bathroom branch circuit supplies receptacles in two bathrooms.
Under NEC requirements, this installation is acceptable only if:
A. The circuit also supplies hallway lighting.
B. The circuit supplies only bathroom receptacle outlets.
C. The circuit supplies all bathroom lighting.
D. The circuit is AFCI protected only.
Answer: B. The circuit supplies only bathroom receptacle outlets.
2
,Rationale: A 20-amp bathroom receptacle circuit may supply receptacle
outlets in multiple bathrooms provided it serves only receptacle outlets
and no lighting or other loads.
5. What is the primary purpose of bonding metal raceways?
A. Increase conductor ampacity.
B. Provide an effective ground-fault current path.
C. Reduce voltage drop.
D. Improve power factor.
Answer: B. Provide an effective ground-fault current path.
Rationale: Bonding ensures electrically conductive parts remain at the
same potential and provides a low-impedance path that facilitates
operation of overcurrent protective devices during faults.
6. A receptacle installed within 6 feet of the outside edge of a sink in
a dwelling kitchen must be:
A. Weather resistant.
B. AFCI only.
C. GFCI protected.
D. Twist-lock type.
Answer: C. GFCI protected.
Rationale: Kitchen receptacles serving countertop areas within the
prescribed distance from sinks require GFCI protection to reduce shock
hazards.
7. Which location requires at least one receptacle outlet regardless of
room size?
3
, A. Closet.
B. Bathroom.
C. Hallway less than 10 feet long.
D. Attic with no equipment.
Answer: B. Bathroom.
Rationale: Each bathroom requires at least one receptacle outlet
located near the basin to accommodate grooming appliances.
8. The minimum working space depth in front of most residential
panelboards operating at 150 volts to ground is:
A. 24 inches.
B. 30 inches.
C. 36 inches.
D. 48 inches.
Answer: C. 36 inches.
Rationale: Working clearance requirements provide safe access for
inspection and maintenance while minimizing shock hazards.
9. Which device provides personnel protection against electric shock
from ground faults?
A. AFCI
B. GFCI
C. SPD
D. Disconnect switch
Answer: B. GFCI
4
