CMI Study Guide 2026

Everything you need to pass the CMI exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.

📋 CMI Exam Format at a Glance

100
Questions
120 min
Time Limit
80%
Passing Score

📚 CMI Topics to Study (27)

✍️ Sample CMI Questions & Answers

1. What is the recommended minimum number of unbiased online reviews a CMI should aim to accumulate before their Google Business Profile reaches strong local ranking potential?
25 reviews

Industry research shows that 25+ reviews significantly improve both local search ranking and consumer trust, making this a meaningful threshold for new CMI businesses.

2. What inspection procedure is essential for quality inspection?
Systematic inspection following established checklists and standards

Systematic inspections using established checklists and industry standards ensure quality and compliance at every stage.

3. What environmental protection measure applies to material selection?
Proper handling, storage, and disposal of materials according to environmental regulations

Proper handling, storage, and disposal of all materials according to environmental regulations is a legal obligation in all trades.

4. When creating a service menu, which add-on inspection is most commonly requested by US home buyers alongside a standard home inspection?
Radon testing

Radon testing is one of the most frequently requested add-on services because radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US.

5. A CMI builds a niche specializing in historic homes. What marketing channel is most likely to reach their target clients?
Historic preservation societies, old-home buyer groups, and specialty real estate agents

Historic home buyers are concentrated in niche communities and work with specialty agents, making targeted outreach to those groups far more efficient than broad marketing.

6. Which condition in an attic most directly indicates a chronic roof leak rather than a one-time event?
Stained and darkened wood with active microbial growth along a consistent pattern

Chronic leaks leave repeated stain patterns, biological growth from sustained moisture, and often deteriorated wood, distinguishing them from isolated single-event wetting.

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Your CMI Study Path
1. Learn with Flashcards → 2. Drill Practice Tests → 3. Take the Full Exam Simulation