{"id":20863,"date":"2016-02-04T16:25:19","date_gmt":"2016-02-04T16:25:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy?page_id=20863"},"modified":"2026-10-16T10:56:37","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T15:56:37","slug":"home-inspector-practice-test","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/home-inspector-practice-test\/","title":{"rendered":"Home Inspector Practice Test"},"content":{"rendered":"

The National Home Inspector Examination®<\/sup> (NHIE®<\/sup>) is designed to evaluate the competency of home inspection professionals to make sure they have the knowledge and understanding necessary to provide valid home inspections.<\/p>\n

Click \u201cStart Test\u201d above to take a free Home Inspector practice test!<\/p>\n

\nHome Inspector Online Course<\/a>
\nHome Inspector Study Guide<\/a>
\nHome Inspector Flashcards<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

<\/span>Home Inspector Exam Outline<\/h2>\n

The Home Inspector exam contains 200 multiple-choice questions, 25 of which are “pretest” questions that do not count toward your final score. These pretest questions are used by the test administrators to gauge the quality of the questions for future versions of the exam. You will be given four hours to complete the exam.<\/p>\n

The questions are split into 3 content domains:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/span>I. Property and Building Inspection\/Site Review (70%)<\/h3>\n

This domain contains 13 tasks related to inspecting property, building systems, site conditions, and life safety equipment.<\/p>\n

\nTask 1 (5%)<\/summary>\n

Identify and inspect site conditions to assess defects and issues that may affect people or the performance of the building.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Vegetation, grade, drainage, and retaining walls<\/li>\n
  2. Driveways, patios, and walkways<\/li>\n
  3. Pool and spa access barriers<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n
    \nTask 2 (5%)<\/summary>\n

    Identify and inspect building exterior components to assess defects and issues that may affect people or the performance of the building.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Wall cladding, flashing, trim, eaves, soffits, and fascia<\/li>\n
    2. Exterior doors and windows<\/li>\n
    3. Decks, balconies, stoops, stairs, steps, porches, and associated railings<\/li>\n
    4. Garage vehicle doors and operators<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n
      \nTask 3 (6%)<\/summary>\n

      Identify and inspect roof components to assess defects and issues that may affect people or the performance of the building.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Roof coverings<\/li>\n
      2. Roof drainage systems<\/li>\n
      3. Roof flashings<\/li>\n
      4. Skylights and other roof penetrations<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n
        \nTask 4 (6%)<\/summary>\n

        Identify and inspect structural components to assess defects and issues that may affect people or the performance of the building.<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Foundation<\/li>\n
        2. Floor structure<\/li>\n
        3. Walls and vertical support structures<\/li>\n
        4. Roof and ceiling structures<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n
          \nTask 5 (7%)<\/summary>\n

          Identify and inspect electrical systems to assess defects and issues that may affect people or the performance of the building.<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Electrical service, service entrance, service equipment, and grounding<\/li>\n
          2. Components of service panels and subpanels<\/li>\n
          3. Wiring methods<\/li>\n
          4. Devices, equipment, and fixtures<\/li>\n
          5. Alternative energy systems<\/li>\n
          6. Electric vehicle service equipment<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n
            \nTask 6 (4%)<\/summary>\n

            Identify and inspect cooling systems to assess defects and issues that may affect people or the performance of the building.<\/p>\n

              \n
            1. Cooling<\/li>\n
            2. Distribution systems<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n
              \nTask 7 (5%)<\/summary>\n

              Identify and inspect heating systems to assess defects and issues that may affect people or the performance of the building.<\/p>\n

                \n
              1. Heating<\/li>\n
              2. Distribution systems<\/li>\n
              3. Vent systems<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n
                \nTask 8 (5%)<\/summary>\n

                Identify and inspect insulation, moisture management systems, and ventilation systems in conditioned and unconditioned spaces to assess defects and issues that may affect people or the performance of the building.<\/p>\n

                  \n
                1. Thermal insulation<\/li>\n
                2. Moisture management<\/li>\n
                3. Ventilation systems of attics, crawl spaces, and roof assemblies<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n
                  \nTask 9 (5%)<\/summary>\n

                  Identify and inspect mechanical exhaust systems to assess defects and issues that may affect people or the performance of the building.<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  1. Mechanical exhaust systems<\/li>\n
                  2. Indoor air management systems<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n
                    \nTask 10 (6%)<\/summary>\n

                    Identify and inspect plumbing and fuel distribution systems to assess defects and issues that may affect people or the performance of the building.<\/p>\n

                      \n
                    1. Water supply distribution system<\/li>\n
                    2. Fixtures and faucets<\/li>\n
                    3. Drain, waste, and vent systems<\/li>\n
                    4. Water heating systems<\/li>\n
                    5. Fuel storage and fuel distribution systems<\/li>\n
                    6. Sump pumps, sewage ejector pumps, related valves, and piping<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n
                      \nTask 11 (4%)<\/summary>\n

                      Identify and inspect interior components to assess defects and issues that may affect people or the performance of the building.<\/p>\n

                        \n
                      1. Walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows, and other interior system components<\/li>\n
                      2. Steps, stairways, landings, and railings<\/li>\n
                      3. Installed countertops and cabinets<\/li>\n
                      4. Installed kitchen appliances<\/li>\n
                      5. Smart home technology<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n
                        \nTask 12 (6%)<\/summary>\n

                        Identify and inspect fireplaces, fuel-burning appliances, and their chimney and vent systems to assess defects and issues that may affect people or the performance of the building.<\/p>\n

                          \n
                        1. Solid fuel-burning fireplaces and appliances<\/li>\n
                        2. Gas and liquid fuel-burning fireplaces and appliances<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n
                          \nTask 13 (6%)<\/summary>\n

                          Identify and inspect common life safety equipment and systems to assess defects and issues that may affect people or the performance of the building.<\/p>\n

                            \n
                          1. Egress requirements<\/li>\n
                          2. Fire, safety, and occupancy separation requirements<\/li>\n
                          3. Smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm placement<\/li>\n
                          4. Fire suppression and sprinkler system defects<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n

                            <\/span>II. Analysis of Findings and Reporting (20%)<\/h3>\n

                            This domain contains four tasks related to analyzing findings and reporting the results of an inspection\/site review.<\/p>\n

                            \nTask 1 (4%)<\/summary>\n

                            Inform the client of what was inspected, the methodologies used, and describe building systems and components by their distinguishing characteristics.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

                            \nTask 2 (4%)<\/summary>\n

                            Describe the limitations in the inspection report to inform the client what was not inspected and why.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

                            \nTask 3 (6%)<\/summary>\n

                            Describe systems and components inspected that are not functioning properly or are defective.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

                            \nTask 4 (6%)<\/summary>\n

                            Describe systems and components in need of further evaluation or action.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

                            <\/span>III. Professional Responsibilities (10%)<\/h3>\n

                            This domain contains two tasks related to the professional responsibilities of a home inspector.<\/p>\n

                            \nTask 1 (5%)<\/summary>\n

                            Discuss the elements of and obtain a written pre-inspection agreement with the client or client\u2019s representative to establish the rights and responsibilities of the inspector and client.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

                            \nTask 2 (5%)<\/summary>\n

                            Maintain quality, integrity, and objectivity throughout the inspection process.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\t\t\t

                            \n\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t

                            Check out Mometrix's Home Inspector Study Guide<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

                            Get practice questions, video tutorials, and detailed study lessons.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

                            Get Your Study Guide →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

                            \"Study<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n

                            <\/span>Home Inspector Practice Questions<\/h2>\n

                            One of the best ways to test your knowledge is by taking a practice test. Evaluate your knowledge by trying your hand at the five practice questions below!<\/p>\n

                            Answer each question and read through the answer explanation, whether you got the answer right or wrong. This will help you ensure you\u2019ve got the topic mastered.<\/p>\n

                            Whether you struggled with these questions or aced them on your first try, be sure to take the full practice test<\/a> to get a better idea of how prepared you really are!<\/p>\n

                            \r\n

                            1. During an attic inspection, an inspector observes that the bathroom exhaust duct ends beside the roof sheathing instead of extending outdoors. The sheathing near the duct is darkly stained and has a higher moisture reading than surrounding areas.<\/p>\r\n

                            What is the inspector\u2019s BEST course of action?<\/p>\r\n\r\n