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100+ Free NM Residential Inspector Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NM Residential Inspector Exam

75%

Passing Score

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

40 Q

Official Exam Questions

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

100 min

Time Allowed

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

USD 68.88

PSI Exam Fee

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

NM CID Residential Inspector is a 40-question PSI exam, 75% pass, 100 minutes, USD 68.88, open-book NMAC 14.7.3 and IRC 2021 (bulletin 4/3/2026).

Sample NM Residential Inspector Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NM Residential Inspector exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1During a New Mexico residential footing inspection, what is the minimum depth below grade required for exterior footings under NMAC 14.7.3?
A.6 inches below grade
B.8 inches below grade
C.18 inches below grade
D.12 inches below grade
Explanation: NMAC 14.7.3.12 replaces IRC R403.1.4 and requires all exterior footings to be placed at least 12 inches below grade. Where frost or expansive-soil provisions apply, the inspector also checks R403.1.4.1 and R403.1.4.2. The 12-inch figure is a New Mexico baseline, not a substitute for a deeper frost line when one is mapped.
2Per IRC R403.1.1, what are the minimum width and thickness of a residential concrete footing unless a larger size is required by the load tables?
A.12 inches wide and 6 inches thick
B.10 inches wide and 6 inches thick
C.12 inches wide and 8 inches thick
D.16 inches wide and 8 inches thick
Explanation: IRC R403.1.1 sets a floor of 12 inches in width and 6 inches in thickness for spread footings. Tables R403.1(1) through R403.1(3) may require a wider footing based on stories, soil bearing, and snow load, but the inspector should reject anything smaller than 12 by 6.
3IRC R401.3 requires the finish grade adjacent to a dwelling foundation to fall at least how far within the first 10 feet?
A.2 inches in 10 feet
B.4 inches in 10 feet
C.12 inches in 10 feet
D.6 inches in 10 feet
Explanation: R401.3 requires surface drainage away from foundation walls, with the grade falling a minimum of 6 inches within the first 10 feet. If a physical barrier prevents a 10-foot run, a 5-percent slope to an approved drain or swale is permitted. Standing water against a stem wall is a fail.
4What is the maximum slope permitted for the bottom surface of a residential footing under IRC R403.1.5?
A.1 unit vertical in 10 units horizontal
B.1 unit vertical in 8 units horizontal
C.1 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal
D.1 unit vertical in 20 units horizontal
Explanation: R403.1.5 requires the top of a footing to be level and limits the bottom slope to 1:10. Steeper cuts must be stepped so each run stays within that slope. A sloping, unstepped bottom is a common New Mexico hillside fail.
5Per IRC R403.1.6, wood sill plates on a continuous concrete foundation shall be anchored with bolts that are at least which size and embedment?
A.1/2-inch diameter embedded 7 inches
B.3/8-inch diameter embedded 5 inches
C.5/8-inch diameter embedded 5 inches
D.5/8-inch diameter embedded 10 inches
Explanation: R403.1.6 requires minimum 1/2-inch-diameter anchor bolts extending not less than 7 inches into concrete or grouted masonry cells. Bolts are spaced not more than 6 feet on center, located in the middle third of the plate, with a nut and washer on each bolt.
6Under IRC R404.1.6, how far must a concrete or masonry foundation wall extend above adjacent finished grade when masonry veneer is used?
A.4 inches
B.2 inches
C.6 inches
D.8 inches
Explanation: R404.1.6 requires foundation walls to extend at least 4 inches above finished grade where masonry veneer is used, and at least 6 inches above grade elsewhere. The 4-inch ledge keeps veneer and weeps above soil splash. Without veneer, look for the 6-inch clearance.
7IRC R405.1 requires foundation drains around concrete or masonry foundation walls when those walls do which of the following?
A.Retain earth and enclose habitable or usable space located below grade
B.Support only a porch slab above grade
C.Are less than 24 inches in height with no backfill
D.Are constructed of preservative-treated wood above grade
Explanation: R405.1 requires drains around concrete or masonry foundations that retain earth and enclose habitable or usable spaces below grade. Group I soils may be excepted when approved. A missing drain tile or crushed-stone drainage layer on a basement wall is a fail.
8Where required by IRC R406.1, dampproofing on a concrete or masonry basement wall shall extend from which starting elevation up to finished grade?
A.The higher of the top of the footing or 6 inches below the top of the basement floor
B.The bottom of the footing only
C.12 inches above the basement floor only
D.The underside of the first-floor joists
Explanation: R406.1 requires dampproofing on concrete and masonry walls that retain earth and enclose interior space below grade. The coating runs from the higher of the top of the footing or 6 inches below the top of the basement floor, up to finished grade. Waterproofing under R406.2 is a separate, more demanding path where hydrostatic pressure exists.
9What is the minimum under-floor access opening size required by IRC R408.4?
A.12 inches by 16 inches through the floor or wall
B.16 inches by 16 inches through the floor and 12 inches by 24 inches through a wall
C.22 inches by 30 inches in all locations
D.18 inches by 24 inches through the floor, or 16 inches by 24 inches through a perimeter wall
Explanation: R408.4 requires access to all under-floor spaces. Floor openings must be at least 18 inches by 24 inches. Perimeter-wall openings must be at least 16 inches by 24 inches. The 22-by-30 figure is attic access under R807.1, not crawl-space access.
10NMAC 14.7.3.12 adds a New Mexico rule when a slab-on-ground is cast monolithically and rigid insulation is used as a forming material. What must the inspector require?
A.A minimum 1-1/2-inch rigid insulation, and rigid insulation shall not be used as a form in sandy, silty sand, or sandy gravel soils
B.Any thickness of rigid insulation is allowed in all soils
C.Rigid insulation forms are prohibited statewide
D.A minimum 4-inch rigid insulation in all soil types
Explanation: NMAC 14.7.3.12 amends R403.1.3.2. Where slabs-on-ground are cast monolithically and rigid insulation is used as a forming material, at least 1-1/2-inch rigid insulation is required. Rigid insulation shall not be used as a form where sandy, silty sand, or sandy gravel soils are present. Forms must still produce concrete that complies with R401.2.

About the NM Residential Inspector Exam

The New Mexico CID Residential Inspector Examination is the open-book PSI inspector exam covering NMAC Title 14 (2015), New Mexico Residential Building Code NMAC 14.7.3 (2021), New Mexico Commercial Building Code NMAC 14.7.2 (2021), and IRC 2021. The official exam has 40 scored questions, a 75% passing standard (30 points), and 100 minutes allowed. PSI lists the fee at USD 68.88 (bulletin updated 4/3/2026). This English-language MCQ bank is a study aid, not an official PSI form.

Questions

40 scored questions

Time Limit

100 minutes

Passing Score

75% (30 of 40 points)

Exam Fee

USD 68.88 (PSI Services LLC (for New Mexico Construction Industries Division))

NM Residential Inspector Exam Content Outline

10%

Sitework, Footings, and Foundations

Residential sitework and foundations (4 items)

13%

Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement

Residential concrete (5 items)

13%

Masonry

Residential masonry (5 items)

20%

Carpentry

Residential carpentry and framing (8 items)

38%

Roofing

Residential roof assemblies (15 items)

8%

General Code

General residential code administration (3 items)

How to Pass the NM Residential Inspector Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 75% (30 of 40 points)
  • Exam length: 40 questions
  • Time limit: 100 minutes
  • Exam fee: USD 68.88

Keys to Passing

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NM Residential Inspector Study Tips from Top Performers

1Roofing is the largest official domain (15 of 40 items); spend most study time there
2Tab IRC 2021 and NMAC 14.7.3 residential amendments
3This bank is an English-language MCQ study aid, not an official PSI inspector form

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the NM Residential Inspector exam?

The official PSI examination has 40 scored questions. Passing is 75% (30 points) within 100 minutes (bulletin updated 4/3/2026).