HOME INSPECTOR NATIONAL EXAM
PREP 2025/2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% PASS
It is important to maintain a positive grade away from the structure of at LEAST _______ inch
drop per foot for six feet. A. 1/4 B. 1/2 C. 3/4 D. 1 - ANS 1
Which of the following BEST describes the report statement shown below? "The roof is in good
condition for its age." A. Conclusion B. Recommendation C. Description D. Disclaimer -
ANS Conclusion
Which of the following conditions would be LEAST critical to your client's safety? A. A pin hole
in the heat exchanger B. No handrails on an interior stairway C. Lack of a pressure and
temperature relief valve on the water heater D. A non-reversing garage door opener - ANS A
pin hole in the heat exchanger
The normal MINIMUM run for a residential stair tread is: A. 7 in. B. 8 in. C. 9 in. D. 11 in. -
ANS 9 inches
Standard three light electrical testers are NOT always reliable because: A. Some receptacles
only have two prongs B. Three light testers sometimes have broken bulbs C. Three light testers
will not detect multiple wiring problems D. Different test device manufactures have different
light patterns - ANS Three light testers will not detect multiple wiring problems
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026.
,Bulging plaster is observed high up on several bedroom walls. The primary concern is the
bulging plaster is a(n): A. installation defect B. indication the home was very cold for a period of
time C. indication the air handler leaked D. potential safety issue - ANS Potential safety issue
EIFS is a siding material that: A. Is used in commercial buildings only. B. Looks like stucco but
lacks a wire mesh. C. Can be installed on top of a modified bitumen membrane. D. Can be
installed on top of a masonry surface. - ANS Looks like stucco but lacks a wire mesh
While inspecting a home, you observe a large ceiling fan with built-in lamps. This installation
requires a(an): A. Strong ceiling. B. Pancake junction box. C. Approved brace or box. D. Larger
junction box. - ANS Approved brace or box
What are the types of heat that must be taken into account when calculating the cooling loads
for an HVAC system?
a. Sensible and radiant heat
b. Radiant and conductive heat
c. Conductive and latent heat
d. Sensible and latent heat - ANS Sensible and latent heat
Which of the following would be most likely to have the highest R-value?
a. 6" fiberglass batt insulation
b. 12" cast-in-place concrete wall
c. 2" extruded polystyrene panel
d. Triple insulated glazing system with ½" air spaces - ANS 6" fiberglass batt insulation
An inspector can often determine the approximate age of a home by its method of
construction. Which of the following choices shows the methods of construction in order from
first developed to most recently developed?
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026.
, a. Post and beam construction, balloon framing, platform framing, ICF construction
b. Balloon framing, post and beam construction, ICF construction, platform framing
c. ICF construction, balloon framing, post and beam construction, platform framing
d. Post and beam construction, platform framing, balloon framing, ICF construction -
ANS Post and beam construction, balloon framing, platform framing, ICF construction
One is inspecting an EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finishing System) wall system for deficiencies.
Where would these be most likely to occur?
a. Window heads
b. The center of large expanses of EIFS
c. Along the bottom edge of the EIFS installation
d. At the corners of the installation, such as around windows - ANS At the corners of the
installation, such as around windows
An inspector notes that the heat pump is not functioning and that the condensate pan under
the air handler is full of water. Why might these two things be related?
a. The full condensate pan tripped a condensate overflow switch. The unit turned off in order to
ensure that condensate did not spill.
b. The full condensate pan indicates that the fan in the air handler is not functioning, as it
should.
c. The full condensate pan indicates that there is a leak in the heat exchanger, which has
depressurized the unit, causing it to turn off.
d. The full condensate pan means that combustion byproducts have condensed and are flowing
back into the house through the flue. This tripped the flue gas spill switch, turning the unit off. -
ANS The full condensate pan tripped a condensate overflow switch. The unit turned off in
order to ensure that condensate did not spill.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026.
PREP 2025/2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% PASS
It is important to maintain a positive grade away from the structure of at LEAST _______ inch
drop per foot for six feet. A. 1/4 B. 1/2 C. 3/4 D. 1 - ANS 1
Which of the following BEST describes the report statement shown below? "The roof is in good
condition for its age." A. Conclusion B. Recommendation C. Description D. Disclaimer -
ANS Conclusion
Which of the following conditions would be LEAST critical to your client's safety? A. A pin hole
in the heat exchanger B. No handrails on an interior stairway C. Lack of a pressure and
temperature relief valve on the water heater D. A non-reversing garage door opener - ANS A
pin hole in the heat exchanger
The normal MINIMUM run for a residential stair tread is: A. 7 in. B. 8 in. C. 9 in. D. 11 in. -
ANS 9 inches
Standard three light electrical testers are NOT always reliable because: A. Some receptacles
only have two prongs B. Three light testers sometimes have broken bulbs C. Three light testers
will not detect multiple wiring problems D. Different test device manufactures have different
light patterns - ANS Three light testers will not detect multiple wiring problems
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026.
,Bulging plaster is observed high up on several bedroom walls. The primary concern is the
bulging plaster is a(n): A. installation defect B. indication the home was very cold for a period of
time C. indication the air handler leaked D. potential safety issue - ANS Potential safety issue
EIFS is a siding material that: A. Is used in commercial buildings only. B. Looks like stucco but
lacks a wire mesh. C. Can be installed on top of a modified bitumen membrane. D. Can be
installed on top of a masonry surface. - ANS Looks like stucco but lacks a wire mesh
While inspecting a home, you observe a large ceiling fan with built-in lamps. This installation
requires a(an): A. Strong ceiling. B. Pancake junction box. C. Approved brace or box. D. Larger
junction box. - ANS Approved brace or box
What are the types of heat that must be taken into account when calculating the cooling loads
for an HVAC system?
a. Sensible and radiant heat
b. Radiant and conductive heat
c. Conductive and latent heat
d. Sensible and latent heat - ANS Sensible and latent heat
Which of the following would be most likely to have the highest R-value?
a. 6" fiberglass batt insulation
b. 12" cast-in-place concrete wall
c. 2" extruded polystyrene panel
d. Triple insulated glazing system with ½" air spaces - ANS 6" fiberglass batt insulation
An inspector can often determine the approximate age of a home by its method of
construction. Which of the following choices shows the methods of construction in order from
first developed to most recently developed?
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026.
, a. Post and beam construction, balloon framing, platform framing, ICF construction
b. Balloon framing, post and beam construction, ICF construction, platform framing
c. ICF construction, balloon framing, post and beam construction, platform framing
d. Post and beam construction, platform framing, balloon framing, ICF construction -
ANS Post and beam construction, balloon framing, platform framing, ICF construction
One is inspecting an EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finishing System) wall system for deficiencies.
Where would these be most likely to occur?
a. Window heads
b. The center of large expanses of EIFS
c. Along the bottom edge of the EIFS installation
d. At the corners of the installation, such as around windows - ANS At the corners of the
installation, such as around windows
An inspector notes that the heat pump is not functioning and that the condensate pan under
the air handler is full of water. Why might these two things be related?
a. The full condensate pan tripped a condensate overflow switch. The unit turned off in order to
ensure that condensate did not spill.
b. The full condensate pan indicates that the fan in the air handler is not functioning, as it
should.
c. The full condensate pan indicates that there is a leak in the heat exchanger, which has
depressurized the unit, causing it to turn off.
d. The full condensate pan means that combustion byproducts have condensed and are flowing
back into the house through the flue. This tripped the flue gas spill switch, turning the unit off. -
ANS The full condensate pan tripped a condensate overflow switch. The unit turned off in
order to ensure that condensate did not spill.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026.
