Download NEW YORK HOME INSPECTOR LICENSE EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PL and more Exams Real Estate Management in PDF only on Docsity!
NEW YORK HOME INSPECTOR LICENSE
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2025
1. What is the primary purpose of a home inspection? A. To appraise the property value B. To enforce building codes C. To evaluate the condition of a home’s systems and components D. To guarantee future performance of home systems A home inspection is intended to assess the current condition of visible and accessible components, not to predict future failures or enforce codes. 2. Which of the following is considered a major defect during an inspection? A. Chipped paint B. Loose cabinet hinge C. Slight carpet wear D. Foundation cracking with displacement
Structural foundation cracking with displacement may indicate significant movement or structural failure.
3. Which component is outside the scope of a standard home inspection? A. Septic tank testing B. Roof structure C. HVAC system D. Electrical panel Standard inspections do not include septic tank performance testing, which requires specialized evaluation. 4. The New York Home Inspector License must be renewed every: A. One year B. Two years C. Three years D. Five years New York requires home inspectors to renew their licenses every two years. 5. What is the required minimum liability insurance for a NYS licensed home inspector? A. $50, B. $150,000 per occurrence C. $300,000 total D. None New York requires $150,000 minimum liability coverage per occurrence for home inspectors.
D. Appearance Knob-and-tube wiring lacks grounding and can be a fire risk as insulation deteriorates with age.
10. A home inspector is required to inspect all of the following EXCEPT: A. Roof coverings B. Swimming pool water chemistry C. Foundation D. Windows Inspecting water chemistry in pools is beyond the standard scope of home inspection. 11. A furnace with a cracked heat exchanger is dangerous because it can: A. Leak refrigerant B. Leak carbon monoxide C. Cause water damage D. Freeze coils A cracked heat exchanger may allow carbon monoxide to enter the home's air supply. 12. Which is the BEST indication of wood-destroying insect activity? A. Paint blisters B. Mud tubes on foundation walls C. Squeaky floors D. Damp insulation
Mud tubes are created by termites for protection as they travel between their colony and wood sources.
13. The minimum height for a residential handrail is: A. 28 inches B. 30 inches C. 34 inches D. 42 inches The IRC specifies handrails must be between 34 and 38 inches in height. 14. A “sump pump” is most commonly used to: A. Remove water from basements or crawlspaces B. Supply water to fixtures C. Detect gas leaks D. Regulate HVAC temperature Sump pumps are used to prevent flooding by removing water from below-grade spaces. 15. What type of roofing material is most likely to suffer from UV degradation over time? A. Metal B. Slate C. Asphalt shingles D. Clay tile Asphalt shingles degrade from prolonged sun exposure, especially if improperly ventilated.
D. 200 hours The NYS requirement includes 140 hours of education, with 40 hours of unpaid field inspection experience.
20. The minimum clearance between a wood-burning stove and a combustible wall is generally: A. 6 inches B. 12 inches C. 36 inches unless manufacturer states otherwise D. 48 inches Unless specified otherwise by the manufacturer, 36 inches is the standard minimum. 21. What is the purpose of a TPR (temperature-pressure relief) valve on a water heater? A. To prevent tank explosion due to pressure or temperature buildup B. To improve water flow C. To monitor temperature D. To circulate hot water TPR valves release water if temperature or pressure becomes too high, preventing explosions. 22. The “sill plate” in a home is located: A. At the roof peak B. Atop the foundation wall, supporting framing C. Behind the drywall
D. Beneath floor joists The sill plate anchors the wood framing to the foundation.
23. A home inspector finds a dryer vent discharging into an attic. You should report this as: A. A defect, due to risk of moisture and fire B. Acceptable C. Optional repair D. Code-compliant Dryer vents must discharge outdoors to avoid moisture buildup and potential fire risk. 24. A ground fault occurs when: A. A breaker trips under load B. Current deviates from the intended path to ground C. Wires overheat D. Voltage is too high Ground faults involve current taking an unintended path, which is dangerous in wet areas. 25. Home inspectors in NY must retain written reports for how long? A. 6 months B. 3 years C. 5 years D. Indefinitely NYS regulations require inspectors to keep reports for at least 3 years.
29.What is the main function of a GFCI outlet? A. Prevent overloads B. Improve voltage stability C. Protect against electrical shock from ground faults D. Regulate current flow GFCI outlets detect ground faults and cut power quickly to prevent shocks, especially near water sources. 30.Which type of pest damage is characterized by small piles of sawdust or frass? A. Rodent droppings B. Carpenter ant activity C. Termite mud tubes D. Fungal decay Carpenter ants excavate wood and often leave sawdust piles, unlike termites which build mud tubes. 31.A flat roof is most vulnerable to: A. Wind damage B. Water ponding and leakage C. UV degradation D. Ice dams Flat roofs often have drainage issues causing water ponding, which leads to leaks and material degradation. 32.The main purpose of a weep hole in brick veneer walls is to: A. Provide ventilation
B. Drain condensation and moisture C. Allow insect access D. Release trapped moisture behind the brick Weep holes let moisture that penetrates the brick wall escape, preventing buildup and damage. 33.Which of the following is a common sign of a failing chimney? A. Loose mortar joints B. Rust on metal flashing C. Cracks in chimney crown or flue liner D. Soot accumulation Cracks in the chimney crown or flue liner can lead to water infiltration and structural damage. 34.What is the typical maximum allowable slope for a residential driveway? A. 2% B. 5% C. 12% D. 20% Most residential driveways should not exceed about 12% slope for safety and drainage. 35.When inspecting a crawlspace, what is the minimum clearance required between the soil and the bottom of the floor joists? A. 6 inches B. 18 inches C. 24 inches
39.A “wet vent” in plumbing is: A. A vent that drains water B. A vent pipe that also carries waste from other fixtures C. A vent that is clogged D. A pipe for rainwater A wet vent serves both as a vent and drain for other plumbing fixtures. 40.What does “backdrafting” in a gas appliance mean? A. Excess gas flow B. Normal operation C. Combustion gases flowing back into the home instead of venting outside D. Excessive flame height Backdrafting causes dangerous carbon monoxide to enter living spaces. 41.What is a common sign of improper gutter installation? A. No downspouts B. Water overflowing and pooling near foundation C. Rust on gutters D. Loud noise in rain Improperly pitched gutters cause water to overflow, potentially damaging the foundation. 42.What type of window is often considered least energy efficient? A. Double-pane B. Casement C. Single-pane
D. Fixed Single-pane windows provide the least insulation and allow more heat transfer. 43.A typical residential water heater capacity is: A. 20–30 gallons B. 40–50 gallons C. 40–60 gallons D. 75–100 gallons Most homes use water heaters in the 40–60 gallon range for adequate supply. 44.Which soil type generally has the poorest drainage around foundations? A. Gravel B. Sand C. Clay D. Loam Clay soils retain water and drain poorly, increasing risk of foundation issues. 45.What is the function of flashing around windows and doors? A. Insulate openings B. Provide structural support C. Prevent water intrusion D. Improve appearance Flashing directs water away from window and door openings to prevent leaks.
C. Multimeter D. Level A multimeter measures voltage, current, and resistance in electrical circuits. 50.What is the minimum height of a guardrail on a deck or balcony? A. 28 inches B. 32 inches C. 36 inches D. 42 inches Building codes generally require guardrails to be at least 36 inches high for safety. 51.Which building component is most susceptible to termite damage? A. Concrete foundation B. Metal flashing C. Untreated wood framing D. Asphalt shingles Termites feed on cellulose in wood, especially untreated or poorly protected framing. 52.What is the primary hazard of aluminum wiring? A. Expensive repair B. Increased risk of electrical fires due to oxidation and poor connections C. Code violation only D. Excessive energy consumption
Aluminum wiring oxidizes and expands, which can cause loose connections and fires. 53.When inspecting an attic, which of the following is a common sign of inadequate ventilation? A. Water leaks B. Rodent droppings C. Mold or mildew on rafters D. Dust accumulation Poor ventilation traps moisture, leading to mold growth and wood decay in attics. 54.What is the most common type of plumbing pipe used in homes built after 1970? A. Galvanized steel B. Cast iron C. Copper D. Lead Copper became the preferred plumbing material after 1970 due to durability and safety. 55.Which of the following roof features is designed to prevent water infiltration at roof-to-wall intersections? A. Ridge vent B. Step flashing C. Soffit vent D. Drip edge
59.Which of the following is a primary purpose of insulation in walls? A. Structural support B. Moisture barrier C. Thermal resistance D. Pest control Insulation slows heat transfer, improving energy efficiency. 60.What does the term “settlement crack” mean? A. Crack from earthquake B. Crack from water damage C. Crack due to normal foundation settling D. Crack from frost heave Settlement cracks occur as foundations adjust to soil conditions and are often minor. 61.When inspecting stairs, what is the maximum allowed variation in riser height? A. 1/2 inch B. 3/8 inch C. 1/4 inch D. 1 inch Building codes generally limit riser height variation to 3/8 inch for safety. 62.What is the safest way to test a smoke detector? A. Visual inspection only B. Press the test button on the device C. Remove battery and check contacts
D. Listen for beep during power surge Pressing the test button ensures the detector’s circuitry and alarm are functioning. 63.Which material is considered most fire-resistant for roofing? A. Wood shake B. Metal C. Asphalt shingles D. Composite Metal roofing is non-combustible and offers excellent fire resistance. 64.Which type of foundation is most common in New York homes? A. Slab-on-grade B. Basement foundation C. Crawlspace foundation D. Pier and beam Basement foundations are prevalent in New York due to climate and soil conditions. 65.When inspecting HVAC systems, what should an inspector check regarding the condensate drain? A. Water temperature B. Electrical connections C. That it is clear and draining properly D. Filter type A clogged condensate drain can cause water damage and system malfunction.
