(lLATEST National Home Inspector Practice Exam – Full-Length Practice Questions and Answer Key 2026)
National Home Inspector Practice
Exam – Full-Length Practice
Questions and Answer Key
National Home Inspector Practice Exam (New Version)
1. Which of the following describes partial vapor pressure?
A) Water vapor has a tendency to disperse itself equally in the available air.
B) Water vapor causes new homes to require house wrap.
C) Water vapor is common with forced induction natural gas furnaces.
D) Water vapor is an indication of sick house syndrome.
Answer: A
2. In order for soffit vents to operate properly, there MUST be:
A) A clear air channel between the roof boards and the insulation.
B) An absence of insect, bee, and bird nests.
C) Vents on both ends on the outside.
D) Continuous vent strips on the length of the soffit.
Answer: A
3. Home inspectors report receptacles with reversed polarity as potentially hazardous
because:
A) They contribute to overheating.
B) They increase shock likelihood at connected equipment.
C) Motors run backwards.
D) They trip GFCIs.
Answer: B
4. The term “wet vent” refers to a:
A) Vent that traps water.
B) Roof-exposed vent.
C) Exterior wall vent.
D) Waste line that also functions as a vent.
Answer: D
5. EIFS is a siding material that:
A) Is used in commercial buildings only.
B) Looks like stucco but lacks wire mesh.
C) Can be installed over bitumen.
D) Can be installed on masonry.
Answer: B
6. The joints on the exterior of the brick chimney should be:
A) Concaved.
B) Raked.
3/31/2026 3/31/2026, 7:33:44 PM 3/31/2026, 7:57:19 PM
, (lLATEST National Home Inspector Practice Exam – Full-Length Practice Questions and Answer Key 2026)
C) Open.
D) Closed.
Answer: A
7. When a water heater is set at 140°F or higher, a ______ should be installed:
A) Temperature probe
B) Mixing probe
C) Mixing valve
D) Temper valve
Answer: C
8. In a forced air furnace, burners generate heat in the:
A) Heat exchanger.
B) Draft diverter.
C) Flue.
D) Plenum.
Answer: A
9. While inspecting a crawl space, probe for decay if the ______ is dark:
A) King joist
B) Floor joist
C) Masonry wall
D) Bearing wall
Answer: B
10. When a safety issue is found, the inspector should:
A) Determine urgency and report appropriately.
B) Only explain verbally.
C) Repair it.
D) Shut down system.
Answer: A
11. Ivy on exterior brick walls:
A) Increases value.
B) Keeps home cool.
C) May cause damage—recommend removal.
D) Needs support.
Answer: C
12. Proper roof termination with EIFS wall:
A) Polyurethane caulk
B) Silicone caulk
C) Kick-out flashing
D) Step flashing only
Answer: C
13. Fireplace flues must extend at least:
A) 3 ft above roof and 2 ft above anything within 10 ft
B) 2 ft above roof and 3 ft above
C) 30 inches above roof
D) 3 ft above roof and 3 ft above within 8 ft
Answer: A
14. Ice dam damage indicates:
A) Shingle issues
B) Poor gutters
3/31/2026 3/31/2026, 7:33:44 PM 3/31/2026, 7:57:19 PM
, (lLATEST National Home Inspector Practice Exam – Full-Length Practice Questions and Answer Key 2026)
C) Insufficient insulation
D) Open vents
Answer: C
15. AC temperature differential should be:
A) 10–15°F
B) 15–20°F
C) 15–30°F
D) 20–25°F
Answer: B
16. Best way to check an abandoned wire:
A) Touch it
B) Trust homeowner
C) Use voltage tester
D) Use amp meter
Answer: C
17. Cut roof trusses:
A) Not a concern
B) Ignore
C) Evaluate as site-built
D) Refer to structural engineer
Answer: D
18. Injury from negligence is covered by:
A) General liability & bonding
B) General liability & homeowner insurance
C) Errors & omissions
D) Claims-made
Answer: B
19. Hairline slab cracks indicate:
A) Poor reinforcement
B) Soil issues
C) Overhydration
D) Normal shrinkage
Answer: D
20. Seller says appliances work—you should:
A) Accept claim
B) Ignore
C) Inspect and inform client
D) Assume problem
Answer: C
21. 12 inches fiberglass insulation ≈
A) R11
B) R13
C) R19
D) R30
Answer: D
22. To measure carbon monoxide use a:
A) OC detector
B) OC2 detector
3/31/2026 3/31/2026, 7:33:44 PM 3/31/2026, 7:57:19 PM
, (lLATEST National Home Inspector Practice Exam – Full-Length Practice Questions and Answer Key 2026)
C) CO2 detector
D) CO detector
Answer: D
23. Seller asks for inspection results:
A) Explain findings
B) Decline
C) Minimize
D) Share conditionally
Answer: B
24. Minimum stair width:
A) 27 in
B) 36 in
C) 42 in
D) 44 in
Answer: B
25. Floating foundation type:
A) Pier-and-beam
B) Spread footing
C) Battered footing
D) Mat slab
Answer: D
26. NOT included in inspection:
A) Unsafe
B) Defective
C) Missing
D) Cosmetic
Answer: D
27. Water dripping on heater may be:
A) Exhaust spillage
B) Short cycling
C) Cold start
D) Overfiring
Answer: A
28. Preferred vendor advertising:
A) Accept
B) Accept conditionally
C) Refuse (integrity)
D) Refuse (ethical violation)
Answer: D
29. Drainage tile is:
A) Clay flashing
B) Gravel pipe at foundation
C) Sink tile
D) Splash block
Answer: B
30. Burned wire in panel:
A) Ignore
B) Tighten
3/31/2026 3/31/2026, 7:33:44 PM 3/31/2026, 7:57:19 PM
National Home Inspector Practice
Exam – Full-Length Practice
Questions and Answer Key
National Home Inspector Practice Exam (New Version)
1. Which of the following describes partial vapor pressure?
A) Water vapor has a tendency to disperse itself equally in the available air.
B) Water vapor causes new homes to require house wrap.
C) Water vapor is common with forced induction natural gas furnaces.
D) Water vapor is an indication of sick house syndrome.
Answer: A
2. In order for soffit vents to operate properly, there MUST be:
A) A clear air channel between the roof boards and the insulation.
B) An absence of insect, bee, and bird nests.
C) Vents on both ends on the outside.
D) Continuous vent strips on the length of the soffit.
Answer: A
3. Home inspectors report receptacles with reversed polarity as potentially hazardous
because:
A) They contribute to overheating.
B) They increase shock likelihood at connected equipment.
C) Motors run backwards.
D) They trip GFCIs.
Answer: B
4. The term “wet vent” refers to a:
A) Vent that traps water.
B) Roof-exposed vent.
C) Exterior wall vent.
D) Waste line that also functions as a vent.
Answer: D
5. EIFS is a siding material that:
A) Is used in commercial buildings only.
B) Looks like stucco but lacks wire mesh.
C) Can be installed over bitumen.
D) Can be installed on masonry.
Answer: B
6. The joints on the exterior of the brick chimney should be:
A) Concaved.
B) Raked.
3/31/2026 3/31/2026, 7:33:44 PM 3/31/2026, 7:57:19 PM
, (lLATEST National Home Inspector Practice Exam – Full-Length Practice Questions and Answer Key 2026)
C) Open.
D) Closed.
Answer: A
7. When a water heater is set at 140°F or higher, a ______ should be installed:
A) Temperature probe
B) Mixing probe
C) Mixing valve
D) Temper valve
Answer: C
8. In a forced air furnace, burners generate heat in the:
A) Heat exchanger.
B) Draft diverter.
C) Flue.
D) Plenum.
Answer: A
9. While inspecting a crawl space, probe for decay if the ______ is dark:
A) King joist
B) Floor joist
C) Masonry wall
D) Bearing wall
Answer: B
10. When a safety issue is found, the inspector should:
A) Determine urgency and report appropriately.
B) Only explain verbally.
C) Repair it.
D) Shut down system.
Answer: A
11. Ivy on exterior brick walls:
A) Increases value.
B) Keeps home cool.
C) May cause damage—recommend removal.
D) Needs support.
Answer: C
12. Proper roof termination with EIFS wall:
A) Polyurethane caulk
B) Silicone caulk
C) Kick-out flashing
D) Step flashing only
Answer: C
13. Fireplace flues must extend at least:
A) 3 ft above roof and 2 ft above anything within 10 ft
B) 2 ft above roof and 3 ft above
C) 30 inches above roof
D) 3 ft above roof and 3 ft above within 8 ft
Answer: A
14. Ice dam damage indicates:
A) Shingle issues
B) Poor gutters
3/31/2026 3/31/2026, 7:33:44 PM 3/31/2026, 7:57:19 PM
, (lLATEST National Home Inspector Practice Exam – Full-Length Practice Questions and Answer Key 2026)
C) Insufficient insulation
D) Open vents
Answer: C
15. AC temperature differential should be:
A) 10–15°F
B) 15–20°F
C) 15–30°F
D) 20–25°F
Answer: B
16. Best way to check an abandoned wire:
A) Touch it
B) Trust homeowner
C) Use voltage tester
D) Use amp meter
Answer: C
17. Cut roof trusses:
A) Not a concern
B) Ignore
C) Evaluate as site-built
D) Refer to structural engineer
Answer: D
18. Injury from negligence is covered by:
A) General liability & bonding
B) General liability & homeowner insurance
C) Errors & omissions
D) Claims-made
Answer: B
19. Hairline slab cracks indicate:
A) Poor reinforcement
B) Soil issues
C) Overhydration
D) Normal shrinkage
Answer: D
20. Seller says appliances work—you should:
A) Accept claim
B) Ignore
C) Inspect and inform client
D) Assume problem
Answer: C
21. 12 inches fiberglass insulation ≈
A) R11
B) R13
C) R19
D) R30
Answer: D
22. To measure carbon monoxide use a:
A) OC detector
B) OC2 detector
3/31/2026 3/31/2026, 7:33:44 PM 3/31/2026, 7:57:19 PM
, (lLATEST National Home Inspector Practice Exam – Full-Length Practice Questions and Answer Key 2026)
C) CO2 detector
D) CO detector
Answer: D
23. Seller asks for inspection results:
A) Explain findings
B) Decline
C) Minimize
D) Share conditionally
Answer: B
24. Minimum stair width:
A) 27 in
B) 36 in
C) 42 in
D) 44 in
Answer: B
25. Floating foundation type:
A) Pier-and-beam
B) Spread footing
C) Battered footing
D) Mat slab
Answer: D
26. NOT included in inspection:
A) Unsafe
B) Defective
C) Missing
D) Cosmetic
Answer: D
27. Water dripping on heater may be:
A) Exhaust spillage
B) Short cycling
C) Cold start
D) Overfiring
Answer: A
28. Preferred vendor advertising:
A) Accept
B) Accept conditionally
C) Refuse (integrity)
D) Refuse (ethical violation)
Answer: D
29. Drainage tile is:
A) Clay flashing
B) Gravel pipe at foundation
C) Sink tile
D) Splash block
Answer: B
30. Burned wire in panel:
A) Ignore
B) Tighten
3/31/2026 3/31/2026, 7:33:44 PM 3/31/2026, 7:57:19 PM
