NHIE UPDATED LATEST 2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔What is an example of a limitation? - ✔✔Locked room, blocked attic access, unsafe
roof, utilities off, or stored items blocking the panel.
✔✔What should an inspector do if utilities are off? - ✔✔Report that systems could not
be operated and recommend evaluation when utilities are restored.
✔✔Should an inspector operate a system that appears unsafe? - ✔✔No. The inspector
should not operate unsafe systems.
✔✔What should an inspector do if a system is unsafe to operate? - ✔✔Report the
safety concern and limitation, and recommend qualified evaluation.
✔✔What is normal operating control? - ✔✔A standard user control such as a light
switch, thermostat, breaker, valve, or faucet handle.
✔✔Should an inspector use normal operating controls? - ✔✔Yes, when safe and within
the scope of the inspection.
✔✔Should an inspector force a stuck valve or control? - ✔✔No. Forcing controls can
cause damage or create safety hazards.
✔✔What should an inspector do if a control will not operate normally? - ✔✔Report the
condition and recommend qualified evaluation or repair.
✔✔What is a conflict of interest? - ✔✔A situation where the inspector's personal or
financial interest could affect objectivity.
✔✔Why are conflicts of interest important? - ✔✔They can damage trust and lead to
biased inspection results.
, ✔✔What is an example of a conflict of interest? - ✔✔An inspector receives money from
a contractor for repair referrals without disclosure.
✔✔Can an inspector perform repairs on a house they inspected? - ✔✔This may be
prohibited or restricted by standards, ethics rules, or state law.
✔✔Why can repair work after inspection be a conflict? - ✔✔The inspector may benefit
financially from finding defects.
✔✔What is client confidentiality? - ✔✔The duty to keep client information and inspection
findings private unless authorized or required by law.
✔✔Should an inspector share the report with others without client permission? - ✔✔No,
unless required by law or allowed by the agreement.
✔✔Who owns the inspection report? - ✔✔Typically the client who paid for the
inspection, subject to the agreement.
✔✔What is objective reporting? - ✔✔Reporting based on visible facts, observations,
and professional judgment without bias.
✔✔What is subjective reporting? - ✔✔Reporting based on unsupported opinion,
emotion, or personal preference.
✔✔Why should inspectors avoid alarmist language? - ✔✔It can create unnecessary
panic and reduce professionalism.
✔✔Why should inspectors avoid minimizing defects? - ✔✔It may fail to protect the client
and increase liability.
✔✔What is the inspector's role in a real estate transaction? - ✔✔To provide information
about the visible condition of the property, not to make the purchase decision.
✔✔Should an inspector tell a client whether to buy the house? - ✔✔No. The inspector
should explain findings and let the client make the decision.
✔✔Should an inspector provide legal advice? - ✔✔No. Legal advice is outside the
inspector's role.
✔✔Should an inspector provide environmental testing without proper scope or
qualifications? - ✔✔No. Environmental testing should only be performed when qualified
and agreed upon.
ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔What is an example of a limitation? - ✔✔Locked room, blocked attic access, unsafe
roof, utilities off, or stored items blocking the panel.
✔✔What should an inspector do if utilities are off? - ✔✔Report that systems could not
be operated and recommend evaluation when utilities are restored.
✔✔Should an inspector operate a system that appears unsafe? - ✔✔No. The inspector
should not operate unsafe systems.
✔✔What should an inspector do if a system is unsafe to operate? - ✔✔Report the
safety concern and limitation, and recommend qualified evaluation.
✔✔What is normal operating control? - ✔✔A standard user control such as a light
switch, thermostat, breaker, valve, or faucet handle.
✔✔Should an inspector use normal operating controls? - ✔✔Yes, when safe and within
the scope of the inspection.
✔✔Should an inspector force a stuck valve or control? - ✔✔No. Forcing controls can
cause damage or create safety hazards.
✔✔What should an inspector do if a control will not operate normally? - ✔✔Report the
condition and recommend qualified evaluation or repair.
✔✔What is a conflict of interest? - ✔✔A situation where the inspector's personal or
financial interest could affect objectivity.
✔✔Why are conflicts of interest important? - ✔✔They can damage trust and lead to
biased inspection results.
, ✔✔What is an example of a conflict of interest? - ✔✔An inspector receives money from
a contractor for repair referrals without disclosure.
✔✔Can an inspector perform repairs on a house they inspected? - ✔✔This may be
prohibited or restricted by standards, ethics rules, or state law.
✔✔Why can repair work after inspection be a conflict? - ✔✔The inspector may benefit
financially from finding defects.
✔✔What is client confidentiality? - ✔✔The duty to keep client information and inspection
findings private unless authorized or required by law.
✔✔Should an inspector share the report with others without client permission? - ✔✔No,
unless required by law or allowed by the agreement.
✔✔Who owns the inspection report? - ✔✔Typically the client who paid for the
inspection, subject to the agreement.
✔✔What is objective reporting? - ✔✔Reporting based on visible facts, observations,
and professional judgment without bias.
✔✔What is subjective reporting? - ✔✔Reporting based on unsupported opinion,
emotion, or personal preference.
✔✔Why should inspectors avoid alarmist language? - ✔✔It can create unnecessary
panic and reduce professionalism.
✔✔Why should inspectors avoid minimizing defects? - ✔✔It may fail to protect the client
and increase liability.
✔✔What is the inspector's role in a real estate transaction? - ✔✔To provide information
about the visible condition of the property, not to make the purchase decision.
✔✔Should an inspector tell a client whether to buy the house? - ✔✔No. The inspector
should explain findings and let the client make the decision.
✔✔Should an inspector provide legal advice? - ✔✔No. Legal advice is outside the
inspector's role.
✔✔Should an inspector provide environmental testing without proper scope or
qualifications? - ✔✔No. Environmental testing should only be performed when qualified
and agreed upon.
