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Free NHIE Practice Questions

10 free, exam-style National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) practice questions with answers and explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the full free NHIE practice test to study every exam domain.

Question 1

An inspector opens a subpanel in the basement and observes that the white neutral wires and bare copper ground wires are all terminated on the same bus bar, connected by a bonding screw. This configuration is:

  1. Required by the NEC for all panels within the same building as the main panel
  2. Acceptable only if the subpanel is fed by a four-wire feeder from the main panel
  3. A defect - in a subpanel, the neutral bus must be isolated from the equipment grounding bus, with no bonding screw connecting them
  4. Correct for subpanels rated at 60 amps or less
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - A defect - in a subpanel, the neutral bus must be isolated from the equipment grounding bus, with no bonding screw connecting them

Question 2

While inspecting a concrete block foundation wall in the basement, an inspector documents four types of cracks. Which of the following is MOST indicative of a serious structural concern?

  1. A horizontal crack running along a mortar joint near the mid-height of the wall
  2. A vertical crack approximately 1/16 inch wide near a corner
  3. A stair-step crack following the mortar joints at the end of the wall
  4. A hairline shrinkage crack at the top course of blocks
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - A horizontal crack running along a mortar joint near the mid-height of the wall

Question 3

An inspector observes that the original atmospheric-draft gas furnace has been replaced with a new high-efficiency direct-vent model. The gas water heater, however, still vents into the original oversized masonry chimney flue. The PRIMARY concern with this configuration is:

  1. The chimney is no longer needed and should be removed
  2. The water heater alone may not generate enough heat to establish proper draft in the oversized flue, leading to backdrafting and carbon monoxide spillage into the living space
  3. The direct-vent furnace will pull exhaust from the water heater through its own vent terminal
  4. The water heater will operate less efficiently without the furnace sharing the flue
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - The water heater alone may not generate enough heat to establish proper draft in the oversized flue, leading to backdrafting and carbon monoxide spillage into the living space

Question 4

An inspector evaluates the TPR (Temperature and Pressure Relief) valve discharge pipe on a gas water heater. All of the following conditions are defects that should be reported EXCEPT:

  1. The discharge pipe terminates inside a crawl space without proper drainage
  2. The discharge pipe has a shutoff valve installed between the TPR valve and termination point
  3. The discharge pipe slopes upward from the TPR valve creating potential water traps
  4. The discharge pipe is constructed of 3/4-inch copper tubing and terminates 6 inches above the floor
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - The discharge pipe is constructed of 3/4-inch copper tubing and terminates 6 inches above the floor

Question 5

During a fireplace inspection, the inspector finds a set of vented gas logs installed inside a masonry fireplace. The gas valve is functional and the logs appear properly arranged on the burner. However, the fireplace damper is fully closed and no damper stop or clamp is present. This condition is:

  1. Acceptable because gas logs produce minimal smoke and do not require an open damper
  2. A serious safety hazard - without a damper stop, the damper can be closed during operation, trapping combustion gases including carbon monoxide in the living space
  3. A minor maintenance issue - the damper should be opened before each use as a best practice
  4. Only a concern if the gas logs are the unvented (vent-free) type
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - A serious safety hazard - without a damper stop, the damper can be closed during operation, trapping combustion gases including carbon monoxide in the living space

Question 6

An inspector measures a bedroom egress window in a finished basement. The window opens to a clear height of 26 inches and a clear width of 24 inches, providing a net clear opening of approximately 4.3 square feet. The window sill is 40 inches above the finished floor. Based on these measurements, this window:

  1. Meets all egress requirements because the height, width, and sill height are within acceptable limits
  2. Meets requirements because the sill height is below the 44-inch maximum
  3. Does not meet egress requirements because the net clear opening of 4.3 square feet is less than the required 5.7 square feet
  4. Does not meet requirements because the sill height exceeds 36 inches
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Does not meet egress requirements because the net clear opening of 4.3 square feet is less than the required 5.7 square feet

Question 7

An inspector opens the electrical panel and observes that a 14 AWG copper conductor is connected to a 30-amp circuit breaker serving a workshop outlet. This is:

  1. A serious fire hazard - 14 AWG wire is rated for only 15 amps and can overheat well before the 30-amp breaker trips, potentially igniting surrounding materials
  2. Acceptable if the wire run is less than 25 feet
  3. A minor defect that only requires the breaker to be changed to 20 amps
  4. Acceptable for a dedicated workshop circuit that draws current intermittently
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - A serious fire hazard - 14 AWG wire is rated for only 15 amps and can overheat well before the 30-amp breaker trips, potentially igniting surrounding materials

Question 8

While inspecting behind a clothes dryer, an inspector discovers that the transition duct connecting the dryer to the concealed wall vent is a white corrugated vinyl (plastic) material. The inspector should report this because:

  1. Vinyl ducts are only prohibited in commercial laundry facilities, not residential
  2. The duct diameter appears to be less than the required 4 inches
  3. Corrugated ducts restrict airflow more than smooth ducts, reducing dryer efficiency only
  4. Vinyl dryer ducts are a fire hazard - they can melt, collapse, and trap combustible lint; only metal transition ducts are acceptable
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - Vinyl dryer ducts are a fire hazard - they can melt, collapse, and trap combustible lint; only metal transition ducts are acceptable

Question 9

An inspector documents negative grading toward the foundation, water stains on the basement walls, minor horizontal cracking in the foundation, and diagonal cracks above interior window frames. When reporting these conditions, the inspector should:

  1. Recognize and communicate that these findings may be interconnected symptoms of a larger water intrusion and structural issue, and recommend evaluation by appropriate specialists for both waterproofing and structural assessment
  2. Report each condition as an independent defect with no relationship to the others
  3. Report only the most visible symptom - the interior wall cracks - since the others are below grade
  4. Defer all findings to the client's real estate agent for interpretation
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Recognize and communicate that these findings may be interconnected symptoms of a larger water intrusion and structural issue, and recommend evaluation by appropriate specialists for both waterproofing and structural assessment

Question 10

After completing the inspection and identifying several defects including a deteriorated deck and a malfunctioning HVAC system, the inspector hands the client a business card for a contracting company the inspector also owns, offering to perform the repairs at a discounted rate. This practice is:

  1. A standard value-added service that benefits the client
  2. Acceptable if the inspector discloses the dual business in the pre-inspection agreement
  3. A conflict of interest - performing repairs on properties inspected creates a financial incentive to find or exaggerate defects, and is prohibited by most codes of ethics
  4. Acceptable only for minor repairs under $500
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - A conflict of interest - performing repairs on properties inspected creates a financial incentive to find or exaggerate defects, and is prohibited by most codes of ethics

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