NSPIRE EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026
COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS || 100%
GUARANTEED PASS <RECENT VERSION>
1. The primary goal of the NSPIRE model is to:
A. Increase the number of physical inspections conducted annually.
B. Reduce regulatory burden on property owners.
C. Focus on the aspects of a property that are most critical to resident health and safety. ✓
D. Prioritize cosmetic deficiencies over functional ones.
2. Under NSPIRE, a "Deficiency" is defined as:
A. Any issue noticed by the inspector.
B. A condition that fails to meet the NSPIRE Standard. ✓
C. Only conditions that are immediate life-threatening hazards.
D. Cosmetic flaws that do not affect the unit's rent.
3. Which of the following is a key principle of the NSPIRE inspection process?
A. Inspector discretion is the ultimate authority.
B. Uniform and consistent application of standards. ✓
C. Prioritizing the property's age over its condition.
D. Focusing solely on common areas.
4. The NSPIRE standards are organized into which three main categories?
A. Structural, Cosmetic, and Environmental
B. Health, Safety, and Functional ✓
C. Interior, Exterior, and Systems
D. Emergency, Urgent, and Routine
5. A "Hazard" under NSPIRE is a condition that:
A. Is simply an inconvenience to the resident.
B. Has the potential to cause harm. ✓
C. Is always a code violation.
D. Only exists in kitchens and bathrooms.
,6. Which of the following best describes the concept of "Determination of Deficiency"?
A. The inspector guesses what is wrong.
B. The resident reports a problem.
C. The inspector identifies a condition and evaluates it against the NSPIRE standard. ✓
D. The property manager decides what to fix.
7. When inspecting a unit, the inspector must verify:
A. The resident's income eligibility.
B. That all provided appliances are present and functional. ✓
C. The cleanliness of the resident's personal belongings.
D. The brand and model of all fixtures.
8. A missing or inoperable smoke alarm in a dwelling unit is classified as a:
A. Low-priority deficiency.
B. Health deficiency.
C. Safety deficiency. ✓
D. Functional deficiency.
9. A broken garbage disposal would be cited under which deficiency category?
A. Safety
B. Functional ✓
C. Cosmetic
D. Health
10. Peeling or chipped paint on an interior windowsill is primarily a ______ concern.
A. Safety
B. Functional
C. Health ✓
D. Cosmetic
11. The presence of mold-like substance in a bathroom is inspected based on:
A. Lab testing results only.
B. The inspector's ability to identify the species of mold.
C. Visual observation of a potential harmful condition. ✓
D. Resident complaints only.
12. A trip hazard caused by a broken section of a public sidewalk on the property is a:
A. Site Deficiency ✓
B. Unit Deficiency
,C. System Deficiency
D. Not a deficiency if it's on public right-of-way.
13. Under NSPIRE, a carbon monoxide alarm is required:
A. Only in units with gas appliances.
B. In all dwelling units, regardless of fuel source. ✓
C. Only in common laundry rooms.
D. At the discretion of the property owner.
14. A water heater with a temperature exceeding 120°F (49°C) is a deficiency because it poses
a:
A. Functional risk.
B. Scald hazard (Safety). ✓
C. Health risk from Legionella.
D. Cosmetic issue.
15. A broken deadbolt lock on a unit entry door is a:
A. Security Deficiency (Safety). ✓
B. Functional Deficiency.
C. Health Deficiency.
D. Not a deficiency if the knob lock works.
16. For a deficiency to be recorded in a sample unit, it must be:
A. Photographed by the resident.
B. Observed and confirmed by the inspector. ✓
C. Reported in writing by the property manager.
D. A repeat violation from the last inspection.
17. A "System" deficiency refers to a problem with:
A. The property's management software.
B. Any installed building system like electrical or plumbing. ✓
C. The resident's personal systems.
D. The local municipal code enforcement system.
18. A blocked or inaccessible fire exit in a common area is considered:
A. A Low Severity deficiency.
B. A Life-Threatening deficiency. ✓
C. Only a deficiency if the fire marshal cites it.
D. A Functional deficiency.
, 19. The purpose of the "Uniform Physical Condition Standards (UPCS)" was a precursor to
NSPIRE and focused on:
A. Resident satisfaction surveys.
B. A pass/fail system for property aesthetics.
C. A risk-based assessment of property conditions. ✓
D. Only inspecting units that were voluntarily offered.
20. Which entity is responsible for the development and administration of NSPIRE?
A. Local Municipalities
B. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) ✓
C. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
D. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
21. A toilet that does not flush properly is a deficiency in which category?
A. Safety
B. Health ✓
C. Functional
D. Cosmetic
22. An electrical outlet that is cracked and exposes wiring is a:
A. Fire Hazard (Safety). ✓
B. Functional Deficiency.
C. Health Deficiency.
D. Not a deficiency if it still provides power.
23. The presence of vermin (e.g., mice, cockroaches) is cited as a:
A. Site Deficiency.
B. Health Deficiency. ✓
C. Functional Deficiency.
D. Cosmetic Deficiency.
24. A stairway with a missing handrail is a deficiency under:
A. Health
B. Functional
C. Safety ✓
D. Cosmetic
25. When inspecting for air quality, the inspector should look for:
A. Specific PPM of VOCs.
B. Evidence of mold, mildew, and proper ventilation. ✓
COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS || 100%
GUARANTEED PASS <RECENT VERSION>
1. The primary goal of the NSPIRE model is to:
A. Increase the number of physical inspections conducted annually.
B. Reduce regulatory burden on property owners.
C. Focus on the aspects of a property that are most critical to resident health and safety. ✓
D. Prioritize cosmetic deficiencies over functional ones.
2. Under NSPIRE, a "Deficiency" is defined as:
A. Any issue noticed by the inspector.
B. A condition that fails to meet the NSPIRE Standard. ✓
C. Only conditions that are immediate life-threatening hazards.
D. Cosmetic flaws that do not affect the unit's rent.
3. Which of the following is a key principle of the NSPIRE inspection process?
A. Inspector discretion is the ultimate authority.
B. Uniform and consistent application of standards. ✓
C. Prioritizing the property's age over its condition.
D. Focusing solely on common areas.
4. The NSPIRE standards are organized into which three main categories?
A. Structural, Cosmetic, and Environmental
B. Health, Safety, and Functional ✓
C. Interior, Exterior, and Systems
D. Emergency, Urgent, and Routine
5. A "Hazard" under NSPIRE is a condition that:
A. Is simply an inconvenience to the resident.
B. Has the potential to cause harm. ✓
C. Is always a code violation.
D. Only exists in kitchens and bathrooms.
,6. Which of the following best describes the concept of "Determination of Deficiency"?
A. The inspector guesses what is wrong.
B. The resident reports a problem.
C. The inspector identifies a condition and evaluates it against the NSPIRE standard. ✓
D. The property manager decides what to fix.
7. When inspecting a unit, the inspector must verify:
A. The resident's income eligibility.
B. That all provided appliances are present and functional. ✓
C. The cleanliness of the resident's personal belongings.
D. The brand and model of all fixtures.
8. A missing or inoperable smoke alarm in a dwelling unit is classified as a:
A. Low-priority deficiency.
B. Health deficiency.
C. Safety deficiency. ✓
D. Functional deficiency.
9. A broken garbage disposal would be cited under which deficiency category?
A. Safety
B. Functional ✓
C. Cosmetic
D. Health
10. Peeling or chipped paint on an interior windowsill is primarily a ______ concern.
A. Safety
B. Functional
C. Health ✓
D. Cosmetic
11. The presence of mold-like substance in a bathroom is inspected based on:
A. Lab testing results only.
B. The inspector's ability to identify the species of mold.
C. Visual observation of a potential harmful condition. ✓
D. Resident complaints only.
12. A trip hazard caused by a broken section of a public sidewalk on the property is a:
A. Site Deficiency ✓
B. Unit Deficiency
,C. System Deficiency
D. Not a deficiency if it's on public right-of-way.
13. Under NSPIRE, a carbon monoxide alarm is required:
A. Only in units with gas appliances.
B. In all dwelling units, regardless of fuel source. ✓
C. Only in common laundry rooms.
D. At the discretion of the property owner.
14. A water heater with a temperature exceeding 120°F (49°C) is a deficiency because it poses
a:
A. Functional risk.
B. Scald hazard (Safety). ✓
C. Health risk from Legionella.
D. Cosmetic issue.
15. A broken deadbolt lock on a unit entry door is a:
A. Security Deficiency (Safety). ✓
B. Functional Deficiency.
C. Health Deficiency.
D. Not a deficiency if the knob lock works.
16. For a deficiency to be recorded in a sample unit, it must be:
A. Photographed by the resident.
B. Observed and confirmed by the inspector. ✓
C. Reported in writing by the property manager.
D. A repeat violation from the last inspection.
17. A "System" deficiency refers to a problem with:
A. The property's management software.
B. Any installed building system like electrical or plumbing. ✓
C. The resident's personal systems.
D. The local municipal code enforcement system.
18. A blocked or inaccessible fire exit in a common area is considered:
A. A Low Severity deficiency.
B. A Life-Threatening deficiency. ✓
C. Only a deficiency if the fire marshal cites it.
D. A Functional deficiency.
, 19. The purpose of the "Uniform Physical Condition Standards (UPCS)" was a precursor to
NSPIRE and focused on:
A. Resident satisfaction surveys.
B. A pass/fail system for property aesthetics.
C. A risk-based assessment of property conditions. ✓
D. Only inspecting units that were voluntarily offered.
20. Which entity is responsible for the development and administration of NSPIRE?
A. Local Municipalities
B. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) ✓
C. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
D. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
21. A toilet that does not flush properly is a deficiency in which category?
A. Safety
B. Health ✓
C. Functional
D. Cosmetic
22. An electrical outlet that is cracked and exposes wiring is a:
A. Fire Hazard (Safety). ✓
B. Functional Deficiency.
C. Health Deficiency.
D. Not a deficiency if it still provides power.
23. The presence of vermin (e.g., mice, cockroaches) is cited as a:
A. Site Deficiency.
B. Health Deficiency. ✓
C. Functional Deficiency.
D. Cosmetic Deficiency.
24. A stairway with a missing handrail is a deficiency under:
A. Health
B. Functional
C. Safety ✓
D. Cosmetic
25. When inspecting for air quality, the inspector should look for:
A. Specific PPM of VOCs.
B. Evidence of mold, mildew, and proper ventilation. ✓
