NHIE Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the NHIE 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.
📋 NHIE Exam Format at a Glance
📚 NHIE Topics to Study (63)
✍️ Sample NHIE Questions & Answers
1. Which radon mitigation system is most commonly installed in homes with a basement or slab-on-grade foundation?
Sub-slab depressurization creates negative pressure under the slab, drawing radon-laden soil gas out through a pipe before it can enter the home.
2. A home inspector observes a 240V dryer circuit using a 3-wire connection to a newer dryer. What is the issue?
Current NEC requires 4-wire connections (two hots, neutral, and ground) for new dryer installations to separate the neutral and ground.
3. Which of the following best describes 'balloon framing'?
In balloon framing, wall studs run continuously from the sill plate to the top plate without interruption at intermediate floor levels.
4. A home inspector finds that the ledger board connecting a deck to the house was fastened through the exterior stucco without proper flashing. What is the PRIMARY risk?
Unflashed ledger-to-stucco connections allow water to enter at every fastener penetration and accumulate against the house framing, causing hidden structural decay.
5. What type of filter has the highest MERV rating capability and most effective particulate removal?
HEPA filters achieve MERV 17-20 equivalent ratings and remove 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns or larger, making them the most effective filtration option.
6. A home inspector notices that handrail ends on an open stairway terminate abruptly in mid-air. This is a deficiency because:
Handrail ends that do not return to the wall or post create a catch hazard where sleeves or body parts can become snagged, causing falls.