Oregon Home Inspector Licensing Exam
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of a home
inspection?
a) Estimate the market value of a property
b) Determine the presence of pests
c) Identify observable defects and safety concerns
d) Appraise the property for insurance purposes
Rationale: A home inspection focuses on identifying visible defects
and safety issues, not valuing the property or estimating market
value.
2. When inspecting a roof, the home inspector should primarily
check for:
a) Color of shingles
b) Damage, leaks, and proper installation
c) Manufacturer of roofing materials
d) Age of the roof only
Rationale: Inspectors focus on defects, leaks, and installation
quality rather than aesthetics or brand.
3. What is the standard slope requirement for residential roof
drainage?
a) 1/8 inch per foot
, b) 1/4 inch per foot
c) 1/2 inch per foot
d) 1 inch per foot
Rationale: Proper drainage usually requires a minimum slope of
1/2 inch per foot to prevent water accumulation.
4. During an inspection, a home inspector finds moisture under a
window sill. The best next step is:
a) Ignore it if the wall seems dry
b) Remove all window trim
c) Report it as a potential moisture intrusion issue
d) Recommend immediate replacement of the window
Rationale: Inspectors report observable issues; remediation
decisions are left to the homeowner or contractor.
5. Which of the following is NOT a common defect found in electrical
systems?
a) Open ground circuits
b) Freshly painted outlets
c) Overloaded breakers
d) Damaged wiring insulation
Rationale: Painted outlets are cosmetic and do not typically
indicate electrical hazards.
6. What is the minimum height for a residential guardrail on a deck?
a) 30 inches
b) 32 inches
c) 36 inches
d) 42 inches
, Rationale: Oregon building codes require a minimum of 36 inches
for guardrails on residential decks.
7. GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets are required in
which areas?
a) Living rooms and bedrooms
b) Kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor areas
c) Attics and basements only
d) Hallways
Rationale: GFCI outlets protect from electrical shock in areas with
water exposure.
8. What type of inspection is typically NOT performed by a home
inspector?
a) Structural inspection
b) Electrical inspection
c) Plumbing inspection
d) Mold remediation testing
Rationale: Home inspectors may note visible mold but do not
perform lab testing or remediation.
9. Which statement about HVAC inspections is correct?
a) Inspectors replace filters during inspection
b) Inspectors check for operational functionality and safety
concerns
c) Inspectors repair minor leaks in ductwork
d) Inspectors adjust system programming for efficiency
Rationale: Inspectors observe, report, and test systems; they do
not perform repairs.
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of a home
inspection?
a) Estimate the market value of a property
b) Determine the presence of pests
c) Identify observable defects and safety concerns
d) Appraise the property for insurance purposes
Rationale: A home inspection focuses on identifying visible defects
and safety issues, not valuing the property or estimating market
value.
2. When inspecting a roof, the home inspector should primarily
check for:
a) Color of shingles
b) Damage, leaks, and proper installation
c) Manufacturer of roofing materials
d) Age of the roof only
Rationale: Inspectors focus on defects, leaks, and installation
quality rather than aesthetics or brand.
3. What is the standard slope requirement for residential roof
drainage?
a) 1/8 inch per foot
, b) 1/4 inch per foot
c) 1/2 inch per foot
d) 1 inch per foot
Rationale: Proper drainage usually requires a minimum slope of
1/2 inch per foot to prevent water accumulation.
4. During an inspection, a home inspector finds moisture under a
window sill. The best next step is:
a) Ignore it if the wall seems dry
b) Remove all window trim
c) Report it as a potential moisture intrusion issue
d) Recommend immediate replacement of the window
Rationale: Inspectors report observable issues; remediation
decisions are left to the homeowner or contractor.
5. Which of the following is NOT a common defect found in electrical
systems?
a) Open ground circuits
b) Freshly painted outlets
c) Overloaded breakers
d) Damaged wiring insulation
Rationale: Painted outlets are cosmetic and do not typically
indicate electrical hazards.
6. What is the minimum height for a residential guardrail on a deck?
a) 30 inches
b) 32 inches
c) 36 inches
d) 42 inches
, Rationale: Oregon building codes require a minimum of 36 inches
for guardrails on residential decks.
7. GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets are required in
which areas?
a) Living rooms and bedrooms
b) Kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor areas
c) Attics and basements only
d) Hallways
Rationale: GFCI outlets protect from electrical shock in areas with
water exposure.
8. What type of inspection is typically NOT performed by a home
inspector?
a) Structural inspection
b) Electrical inspection
c) Plumbing inspection
d) Mold remediation testing
Rationale: Home inspectors may note visible mold but do not
perform lab testing or remediation.
9. Which statement about HVAC inspections is correct?
a) Inspectors replace filters during inspection
b) Inspectors check for operational functionality and safety
concerns
c) Inspectors repair minor leaks in ductwork
d) Inspectors adjust system programming for efficiency
Rationale: Inspectors observe, report, and test systems; they do
not perform repairs.
