Residential Electrical Inspector - E1 National Certification Exam
Total 500 plus [Questions & Answers with Full Explanations]
Question 1:
An inspector arrives at a new residential construction site. Which of the following is the best first
step regarding project administration?
a) Verify that required permits have been issued and are valid.
b) Immediately start the on-site inspection without paperwork.
c) Request the contractor’s verbal confirmation that all permits are in order.
d) Begin the inspection by checking the electrical panel only.
Answer: a) Verify that required permits have been issued and are valid.
Explanation: Before any on‐site work is done, the inspector must confirm that all required
permits are properly issued and current. This ensures that the project complies with local
jurisdiction requirements and that the approved plans are in place.
Question 2:
During an inspection, you notice that the approved plans are not readily available on site. What is
the proper course of action?
a) Note the absence in the inspection report and continue.
b) Require the contractor to produce a copy of the approved plans immediately.
c) Immediately issue a stop work order until the plans are produced.
d) Ignore it, assuming the plans will be available at the certificate issuance stage.
Answer: b) Require the contractor to produce a copy of the approved plans immediately.
Explanation: Inspectors must ensure that approved plans and specifications are available and
retained as required. Failure to have these documents on site can hinder a proper evaluation of
code compliance.
Question 3:
Which document is most important for establishing that an electrical installation complies with
the approved design?
a) The original construction contract
b) The set of approved electrical plans and specifications
c) The warranty documentation provided by the manufacturer
d) The electrician’s personal notes
Answer: b) The set of approved electrical plans and specifications
,Explanation: Approved plans and specifications serve as the benchmark for what is permitted;
they define the required methods and materials for the installation. This documentation must be
maintained and available for review during inspections.
Question 4:
If a permit appears to have expired, what is the inspector’s best course of action?
a) Immediately issue a violation citation.
b) Contact the permitting authority to verify the permit’s status before proceeding.
c) Ignore the expiration if the work appears compliant.
d) Allow work to continue as long as the contractor assures compliance.
Answer: b) Contact the permitting authority to verify the permit’s status before proceeding.
Explanation: The inspector must verify the permit’s status with the issuing authority. An
expired permit can indicate that the project is not officially approved, and further work may be
unauthorized.
Question 5:
When reviewing a project file, you should verify that:
a) Only the electrical plans are on file.
b) A complete set of approved plans and specifications is available for every discipline involved.
c) The project manager’s resume is included.
d) The contractor’s insurance information is attached to the plans.
Answer: b) A complete set of approved plans and specifications is available for every discipline
involved.
Explanation: To ensure compliance with the project’s approved design, it is necessary that all
disciplines (including electrical) have their approved plans and specifications available and
properly filed.
Question 6:
Which of the following best describes “project administration” as it relates to electrical
inspection?
a) Directing the construction crew’s daily activities
b) Ensuring that all administrative documentation (permits, plans, records) is correct and
available
c) Designing the electrical layout for the building
d) Supervising the installation of wiring and conduits
,Answer: b) Ensuring that all administrative documentation (permits, plans, records) is correct
and available
Explanation: Project administration in the context of inspection involves checking that all
required permits, plans, and related documents are properly issued, valid, and available for
review.
Question 7:
An inspector finds that a permit number is missing from the construction documents. What is the
next step?
a) Write a note in the inspection report and proceed with the inspection.
b) Advise the contractor to apply for a new permit immediately.
c) Contact the permitting agency to confirm the permit number and validity.
d) Dismiss the project as non‐compliant.
Answer: c) Contact the permitting agency to confirm the permit number and validity.
Explanation: When documentation is incomplete or appears to be missing critical information,
the inspector should verify the details with the permitting agency rather than assuming
compliance or non‐compliance.
Question 8:
The approved plans for a residential project are dated over a year ago. As an inspector, you
should:
a) Assume that the project is outdated and fail it immediately.
b) Verify if any amendments or addenda have been issued since that date.
c) Request that the plans be re-approved.
d) Ignore the date as long as the work meets the current code.
Answer: b) Verify if any amendments or addenda have been issued since that date.
Explanation: Plans may be updated by addenda or amendments. It is important for the inspector
to confirm that the documents reflect the most current approved information for proper code
evaluation.
Question 9:
Why is record retention important in project administration for electrical inspectors?
a) It ensures that the contractor is billed correctly.
b) It provides a documented history of compliance for review and potential future reference.
, c) It allows inspectors to reuse old inspection reports.
d) It satisfies marketing requirements of the inspection department.
Answer: b) It provides a documented history of compliance for review and potential future
reference.
Explanation: Keeping thorough records—including inspection reports, permits, and plan
approvals—is essential for verifying compliance, supporting corrective actions, and serving as a
historical reference.
Question 10:
Which of the following best describes the role of an electrical inspector with respect to project
administration?
a) Enforcing construction scheduling
b) Verifying documentation, such as permits and approved plans, are in order
c) Supervising the electrical installation crew
d) Designing new electrical systems
Answer: b) Verifying documentation, such as permits and approved plans, are in order
Explanation: An inspector’s role in project administration centers on verifying that all required
documents—including permits and plans—are complete and correct before work proceeds.
Question 11:
If discrepancies are found between the approved plans and the actual construction, the inspector
should:
a) Immediately approve the work if it appears safe.
b) Document the discrepancy and require corrective action.
c) Ignore the discrepancy if it is minor.
d) Close the file without taking any action.
Answer: b) Document the discrepancy and require corrective action.
Explanation: Discrepancies between approved plans and actual work must be formally
documented and corrected to ensure that installations comply with code and the project’s
approved design.
Question 12:
When verifying permit information, an inspector should check:
a) The permit’s expiration date, scope, and any special conditions.
Total 500 plus [Questions & Answers with Full Explanations]
Question 1:
An inspector arrives at a new residential construction site. Which of the following is the best first
step regarding project administration?
a) Verify that required permits have been issued and are valid.
b) Immediately start the on-site inspection without paperwork.
c) Request the contractor’s verbal confirmation that all permits are in order.
d) Begin the inspection by checking the electrical panel only.
Answer: a) Verify that required permits have been issued and are valid.
Explanation: Before any on‐site work is done, the inspector must confirm that all required
permits are properly issued and current. This ensures that the project complies with local
jurisdiction requirements and that the approved plans are in place.
Question 2:
During an inspection, you notice that the approved plans are not readily available on site. What is
the proper course of action?
a) Note the absence in the inspection report and continue.
b) Require the contractor to produce a copy of the approved plans immediately.
c) Immediately issue a stop work order until the plans are produced.
d) Ignore it, assuming the plans will be available at the certificate issuance stage.
Answer: b) Require the contractor to produce a copy of the approved plans immediately.
Explanation: Inspectors must ensure that approved plans and specifications are available and
retained as required. Failure to have these documents on site can hinder a proper evaluation of
code compliance.
Question 3:
Which document is most important for establishing that an electrical installation complies with
the approved design?
a) The original construction contract
b) The set of approved electrical plans and specifications
c) The warranty documentation provided by the manufacturer
d) The electrician’s personal notes
Answer: b) The set of approved electrical plans and specifications
,Explanation: Approved plans and specifications serve as the benchmark for what is permitted;
they define the required methods and materials for the installation. This documentation must be
maintained and available for review during inspections.
Question 4:
If a permit appears to have expired, what is the inspector’s best course of action?
a) Immediately issue a violation citation.
b) Contact the permitting authority to verify the permit’s status before proceeding.
c) Ignore the expiration if the work appears compliant.
d) Allow work to continue as long as the contractor assures compliance.
Answer: b) Contact the permitting authority to verify the permit’s status before proceeding.
Explanation: The inspector must verify the permit’s status with the issuing authority. An
expired permit can indicate that the project is not officially approved, and further work may be
unauthorized.
Question 5:
When reviewing a project file, you should verify that:
a) Only the electrical plans are on file.
b) A complete set of approved plans and specifications is available for every discipline involved.
c) The project manager’s resume is included.
d) The contractor’s insurance information is attached to the plans.
Answer: b) A complete set of approved plans and specifications is available for every discipline
involved.
Explanation: To ensure compliance with the project’s approved design, it is necessary that all
disciplines (including electrical) have their approved plans and specifications available and
properly filed.
Question 6:
Which of the following best describes “project administration” as it relates to electrical
inspection?
a) Directing the construction crew’s daily activities
b) Ensuring that all administrative documentation (permits, plans, records) is correct and
available
c) Designing the electrical layout for the building
d) Supervising the installation of wiring and conduits
,Answer: b) Ensuring that all administrative documentation (permits, plans, records) is correct
and available
Explanation: Project administration in the context of inspection involves checking that all
required permits, plans, and related documents are properly issued, valid, and available for
review.
Question 7:
An inspector finds that a permit number is missing from the construction documents. What is the
next step?
a) Write a note in the inspection report and proceed with the inspection.
b) Advise the contractor to apply for a new permit immediately.
c) Contact the permitting agency to confirm the permit number and validity.
d) Dismiss the project as non‐compliant.
Answer: c) Contact the permitting agency to confirm the permit number and validity.
Explanation: When documentation is incomplete or appears to be missing critical information,
the inspector should verify the details with the permitting agency rather than assuming
compliance or non‐compliance.
Question 8:
The approved plans for a residential project are dated over a year ago. As an inspector, you
should:
a) Assume that the project is outdated and fail it immediately.
b) Verify if any amendments or addenda have been issued since that date.
c) Request that the plans be re-approved.
d) Ignore the date as long as the work meets the current code.
Answer: b) Verify if any amendments or addenda have been issued since that date.
Explanation: Plans may be updated by addenda or amendments. It is important for the inspector
to confirm that the documents reflect the most current approved information for proper code
evaluation.
Question 9:
Why is record retention important in project administration for electrical inspectors?
a) It ensures that the contractor is billed correctly.
b) It provides a documented history of compliance for review and potential future reference.
, c) It allows inspectors to reuse old inspection reports.
d) It satisfies marketing requirements of the inspection department.
Answer: b) It provides a documented history of compliance for review and potential future
reference.
Explanation: Keeping thorough records—including inspection reports, permits, and plan
approvals—is essential for verifying compliance, supporting corrective actions, and serving as a
historical reference.
Question 10:
Which of the following best describes the role of an electrical inspector with respect to project
administration?
a) Enforcing construction scheduling
b) Verifying documentation, such as permits and approved plans, are in order
c) Supervising the electrical installation crew
d) Designing new electrical systems
Answer: b) Verifying documentation, such as permits and approved plans, are in order
Explanation: An inspector’s role in project administration centers on verifying that all required
documents—including permits and plans—are complete and correct before work proceeds.
Question 11:
If discrepancies are found between the approved plans and the actual construction, the inspector
should:
a) Immediately approve the work if it appears safe.
b) Document the discrepancy and require corrective action.
c) Ignore the discrepancy if it is minor.
d) Close the file without taking any action.
Answer: b) Document the discrepancy and require corrective action.
Explanation: Discrepancies between approved plans and actual work must be formally
documented and corrected to ensure that installations comply with code and the project’s
approved design.
Question 12:
When verifying permit information, an inspector should check:
a) The permit’s expiration date, scope, and any special conditions.
