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Cheat sheet

NHIE Cheat Sheet

Practice QuestionsStudy Guide

Property + Building Inspection

70%of exam

SiteExteriorRoofStructureElectricalHVAC

Analysis + Reporting

20%of exam

Report ScopeLimitationsDefectsFurther EvaluationReport Picker

Professional Responsibilities

10%of exam

AgreementObjectivityConfidentialityLiabilityEthics Picker

Quick Facts

Owner
EBPHI
Questions
200 MCQ
Scored
175 items
Pretest
25 items
Time
4 hours
Pass
500 scaled
Scale
200-800
Fee
$225 typical
Retake
30-day wait
Calculator
Not permitted

Water First

Grade, gutters, gaps explain many defects.

Grade awayExtend dischargeFlash openingsDrain roofs

Grounding vs Bonding

Grounding

  • Earth reference
  • Fault path

Bonding

  • Metal continuity
  • Equal potential

Bond first, ground safely

Defect Picker

  1. Immediate life hazard→Notify now(Then report)
  2. Beyond general scope→Qualified evaluation(Do not diagnose)
  3. Visible active leak→Report defect(Trace source)
  4. Aged but working→Monitor/budget(No guarantee)
  5. Not accessible→Report limitation(Explain why)
  6. Safety device absent→Recommend correction(Client risk)

Domain Map

Inspection
70%
Reporting
20%
Professional
10%
Site
5%
Exterior
5%
Roof
6%
Structure
6%
Electrical
7%
Plumbing
6%
Life safety
6%

Safety Order

Life safety outranks cosmetic findings.

Gas leakCO riskShock hazardFall hazard

GFCI vs AFCI

GFCI

  • Shock protection
  • Wet areas

AFCI

  • Arc protection
  • Fire prevention

Shock differs from arc

System Picker

  1. Water near foundation→Site/drainage(Grade first)
  2. Stains below roof→Roof/flashing(Penetrations)
  3. Sagging members→Structure(Loads)
  4. Shock/fire cue→Electrical(Safety)
  5. CO/backdraft cue→Heating/venting(Combustion)
  6. Sewage/gas cue→Plumbing/fuel(Health)

Site + Exterior

Negative grade
Foundation water risk
Retaining wall
Movement evidence
Trip hazard
Walkway safety
Earth contact
Decay risk
Cladding gaps
Water entry path
Missing flashing
Leak risk
Deck ledger
Attachment concern
Garage sensors
Reverse safety

Roof + Drainage

Covering
Wear/damage evidence
Flashing
Transition protection
Valley
High-flow area
Penetration
Boot/collar check
Ponding
Drainage defect
Granule loss
UV exposure
Curling
Aged shingles
Drip edge
Fascia protection

Structure

Foundation crack
Movement clue
Settlement
Support movement
Hydrostatic pressure
Lateral water force
Cut joist
Structural compromise
Damaged truss
Engineering referral
Sagging rafter
Load concern
Fire separation
Garage barrier
Past repair
Documentation needed

Electrical

Service drop
Overhead conductors
Service lateral
Underground conductors
Bonding
Metal continuity
Grounding
Fault path
Double tap
Improper termination
Open knockout
Shock hazard
FPE/Zinsco
Known problem
GFCI
Shock protection
AFCI
Arc protection
K&T
Outdated wiring

HVAC + Ventilation

Cooling
Refrigerant cycle
Heat pump
Moves heat
Condensate
Drainage needed
Dirty filter
Airflow restriction
Flame rollout
Immediate hazard
Backdrafting
Combustion spill
Combustion air
Burner supply
Stack effect
Pressure movement

Plumbing + Fuel

Cross-connection
Contamination risk
Galvanized pipe
Flow restriction
PRV
Pressure control
Trap
Seal gas
Vent
Protects trap
TPR valve
Heater safety
Expansion tank
Thermal expansion
Gas leak
Immediate action
Sump pump
Water removal

Interior + Safety

Moisture stain
Source tracing
Safety glazing
Impact protection
Riser variation
Stair hazard
Loose guard
Fall hazard
Anti-tip bracket
Range safety
Smart tech
Inspection limitation
Egress
Emergency escape
CO alarm
Combustion safety

Fireplaces + Chimneys

Creosote
Chimney fire risk
Hearth defect
Combustible exposure
Damper
Draft control
Flue liner
Exhaust containment
Spark arrestor
Ember control
Clearance
Combustible distance
Soot staining
Combustion clue
Improper venting
CO risk

Report Flow

What, where, why, next.

ComponentLocationImplicationRecommendation

Defect vs Limitation

Defect

  • Observed problem
  • Report implication

Limitation

  • Not inspected
  • Explain why

Do not assume condition

Report Picker

  1. Client needs context→Describe system(Type/location)
  2. Area blocked→State limitation(No assumption)
  3. Defect observed→Describe condition(Plain language)
  4. Consequence likely→State implication(Risk)
  5. Specialist needed→Further evaluation(Qualified pro)
  6. Immediate danger→Verbal notice(Document too)

Report Elements

Inspected
State what
Method
State how
Component type
Identify system
Location
Findable defect
Limitation
Explain not inspected
Defect
Describe condition
Implication
Explain consequence
Recommendation
Next action

Describe vs Diagnose

Describe

  • Visible facts
  • Client language

Diagnose

  • Specialist conclusion
  • Often beyond scope

Report evidence, not certainty

Monitor vs Refer

Monitor

  • Minor/stable
  • No immediate risk

Refer

  • Safety/complexity
  • Qualified pro needed

Risk drives recommendation

Scope Line

Visual, accessible, normal controls only.

VisualAccessibleNormal controlsNo dismantling

Agreement vs Report

Agreement

  • Before service
  • Scope/limits/fee

Report

  • After inspection
  • Findings/actions

Terms before findings

Ethics Picker

  1. Before inspection→Written agreement(Set scope)
  2. Agent pressure→Stay objective(Client first)
  3. Report requested→Get consent(Confidential)
  4. Financial interest→Disclose/decline(Conflict)
  5. Unsafe access→Do not enter(Limit report)
  6. Damage caused→Notify owner(Document)

Exam Logistics

Exam body
EBPHI
Format
Computer MCQ
Scored items
175 scored
Pretest items
25 unscored
Time limit
4 hours
Passing point
500 scaled
Score range
200-800
Retest wait
30 days
Typical fee
$225

Ethics Core

Client, competence, confidentiality, conflict control.

Client firstStay competentProtect reportAvoid bias

Conflict vs Referral

Conflict

  • Financial stake
  • Objectivity impaired

Referral

  • Qualified trade
  • No kickback

Independence protects client

Professional Practice

Agreement
Before inspection
Scope
Defines service
Exclusions
Outside service
Objectivity
Client interest
Conflict
Financial bias
Confidentiality
Client controls report
E&O
Professional liability
GL
Property/injury coverage

E&O vs GL

E&O

  • Professional error
  • Missed defect claim

GL

  • Bodily injury
  • Property damage

Different loss types

Common Traps

Pretest Items

Unscored but hidden ≠ Answer every item

Calculator Trap

Not permitted ≠ Use simple math

Code Trap

Not code inspection ≠ Report observed defects

Certainty Trap

Suspected condition ≠ Recommend verification

Access Trap

Unsafe area ≠ Limit and explain

Confidentiality Trap

Report belongs client ≠ Consent before sharing

Conflict Trap

Referral pressure ≠ Objectivity wins

Specialist Trap

Complex system ≠ Qualified evaluator

Last Minute

  1. 1.70/20/10 domains
  2. 2.175 scored, 25 pretest
  3. 3.500 scaled passes
  4. 4.No calculator allowed
  5. 5.Life hazards: notify immediately
  6. 6.Limitations require why
  7. 7.Describe, do not diagnose
  8. 8.Refer beyond scope
  9. 9.Agreement before inspection
  10. 10.Client controls report
  11. 11.Conflicts impair objectivity
  12. 12.Water paths drive defects

NHIE National Home Inspector Examination

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National Home Inspector Study Guide and Exam Prep - National Home Inspector Examination Test Prep - NHIE Certification - Complete Review Edition

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