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NORTH CAROLINA HOME INSPECTOR
LICENSE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2025
1. What is the minimum headroom required for stairways in residential homes in North Carolina? A. 6 feet 4 inches B. 6 feet 8 inches C. 7 feet D. 6 feet 6 inches Rationale: The NC Residential Code requires a minimum stairway headroom of 6 feet 8 inches measured vertically from the sloped plane of the tread nosing. 2. What is the required slope for a drain pipe in a residential home? A. 1/8 inch per foot B. 3/8 inch per foot C. 1/4 inch per foot D. 1/2 inch per foot
Rationale: A minimum slope of 1/4 inch per foot is required for drain pipes to ensure proper flow and prevent clogging.
3. What is the allowable maximum spacing between balusters in a residential guardrail? A. 6 inches B. 5 inches C. 4 inches D. 3 inches Rationale: The building code specifies that a 4-inch sphere should not pass through any opening in a guardrail to prevent children from slipping through. 4. Which of the following roof types is most prone to leakage? A. Gable B. Flat C. Hip D. Mansard Rationale: Flat roofs have minimal pitch, making water drainage difficult and increasing the potential for leaks. 5. What is the minimum required height of a residential guardrail? A. 30 inches B. 32 inches C. 36 inches D. 42 inches Rationale: Guardrails in residential construction must be at least 36 inches in height above the walking surface.
C. 20 inches D. 24 inches Rationale: Most residential walls are framed with studs spaced 16 inches on center, providing adequate support for drywall and structural loads.
10. Which type of foundation is most common in North Carolina? A. Slab-on-grade B. Crawl space C. Full basement D. Pile foundation Rationale: Due to the regionโs climate and soil conditions, crawl space foundations are commonly used in North Carolina. 11. A GFCI is required in which of the following locations? A. Bedroom B. Living room C. Bathroom D. Dining room Rationale: Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters are required in bathrooms to protect against electrical shock in wet environments. 12. Which material is commonly used for modern water supply lines? A. Cast iron B. PEX C. Galvanized steel D. Lead
Rationale: PEX piping is flexible, corrosion-resistant, and widely used in new home construction.
13. What is the maximum riser height for residential stairs? A. 7 inches B. 7.75 inches C. 8.25 inches D. 8.5 inches Rationale: According to code, the maximum riser height allowed is 7.75 inches. 14. What is the function of a weep hole in a brick veneer wall? A. Allows water to drain out B. Provides structural support C. Insulates the wall D. Prevents pest entry Rationale: Weep holes allow moisture that penetrates the veneer to escape, preventing water damage to the inner wall. 15. A home inspector in North Carolina must report which of the following? A. Cosmetic flaws B. Structural deficiencies C. Minor wear D. Owner opinions Rationale: Home inspectors are required to report material defects and structural concerns that impact habitability or safety.
B. Range (stove) C. Microwave D. Washer Rationale: Anti-tip brackets prevent stoves from tipping over if pressure is applied to the open oven door.
20. What is an acceptable range for indoor relative humidity to prevent mold growth? A. 10โ20% B. 30โ50% C. 60โ70% D. 70โ90% Rationale: Keeping indoor humidity between 30โ50% helps prevent mold and promotes comfort. 21. What is the minimum slope for water to drain away from a foundation? A. 1/4 inch per foot B. 6 inches over the first 10 feet C. 3 inches over 5 feet D. 4 inches per 10 feet Rationale: A slope of 6 inches over the first 10 feet is required to direct water away from foundations. 22. What tool is used to test for moisture intrusion in walls? A. Thermometer B. Moisture meter
C. Anemometer D. Hygrometer Rationale: A moisture meter detects water presence in building materials, helping identify potential mold risks.
23. Which roofing material has the longest lifespan? A. Asphalt shingles B. Wood shakes C. Slate D. Metal Rationale: Slate roofs can last over 100 years with proper maintenance, far exceeding other materials. 24. Which HVAC component is responsible for cooling the air? A. Heat exchanger B. Evaporator coil C. Blower motor D. Condensate pump Rationale: The evaporator coil absorbs heat from the air, cooling it before circulation. 25. Which is a sign of foundation settlement? A. Uneven paint color B. Cracks in walls or floors C. Door handles rusting D. Loose carpeting
29. Which of the following conditions indicates improper grading around the foundation? A. Cracked paint B. Vegetation growth C. Standing water near the foundation D. Broken window seals Rationale: Standing water near the foundation suggests inadequate grading and poor drainage. 30. What type of insulation is most commonly found in North Carolina attics? A. Spray foam B. Rigid foam C. Fiberglass batt D. Cellulose Rationale: Fiberglass batt insulation is commonly installed due to cost- effectiveness and ease of installation. 31. Which of the following electrical outlets requires tamper-resistant receptacles? A. Basement outlets B. Kitchen outlets C. All residential outlets D. Garage outlets Rationale: The 2020 NEC requires tamper-resistant receptacles in all residential areas to prevent accidental shock.
32. How many plumbing fixtures are typically required before a home must have a pressure-reducing valve? A. 2 B. 4 C. 6 D. 8 Rationale: A pressure-reducing valve is typically required when the plumbing system has six or more fixtures to protect against high water pressure. 33. What is the typical voltage for residential electrical service in North Carolina? A. 120 volts B. 120/240 volts C. 240 volts D. 480 volts Rationale: Most homes receive split-phase 120/240 volts to power appliances and lighting. 34. Which of the following is a sign of termite infestation? A. Peeling paint B. Cracked drywall C. Mud tubes on foundation walls D. Loose shingles Rationale: Termites build mud tubes to protect themselves while traveling between soil and wood.
B. Structural support C. Prevent water penetration D. Insulation Rationale: Flashing directs water away from roof joints and penetrations to prevent leaks.
39. What is a common sign of plumbing leaks behind walls? A. Cold walls B. Dust accumulation C. Water stains or mold growth D. Loose tiles Rationale: Leaks cause discoloration, stains, and mold due to moisture accumulation. 40. What is the minimum height for a handrail on stairs? A. 28 inches B. 34 inches C. 36 inches D. 42 inches Rationale: Handrails must be between 34 and 38 inches high for safety and code compliance. 41. Which type of heating system uses ducts to distribute warm air? A. Radiant heat B. Baseboard heat C. Forced air
D. Hydronic heat Rationale: Forced air systems heat air and distribute it via ductwork.
42. What type of window is hinged on the side and opens outward? A. Slider B. Casement C. Double-hung D. Awning Rationale: Casement windows are side-hinged and open outward on a crank mechanism. 43. What is the main function of an electrical ground? A. Provide power B. Provide a safe path for electricity to earth C. Increase voltage D. Prevent power surges Rationale: The ground safely directs electrical faults away from people and equipment. 44. How often should smoke detectors be tested? A. Monthly B. Every 6 months C. Annually D. Every 5 years Rationale: Smoke detectors should be tested monthly for functionality; batteries should be replaced annually.
B. 12 inches C. 18 inches D. 24 inches Rationale: The minimum clearance prevents fire hazards near ignition sources.
49. What type of foundation wall material is most common in North Carolina? A. Poured concrete B. Concrete block (CMU) C. Brick D. Stone Rationale: Concrete masonry units (CMUs) are commonly used for crawl space and basement walls. 50. What is the typical service life of a water heater? A. 5โ7 years B. 7โ9 years C. 10โ15 years D. 20+ years Rationale: Most water heaters last around 10โ15 years depending on maintenance and water quality. 51. What is the purpose of an expansion tank in a plumbing system? A. Store water B. Absorb pressure changes due to thermal expansion C. Filter impurities D. Increase water pressure
Rationale: Expansion tanks prevent excess pressure that can damage plumbing when water heats and expands.
52. Which of the following is an indicator of improper roof flashing? A. Missing shingles B. Loose gutters C. Water stains near roof-to-wall joints D. Excessive granules on shingles Rationale: Water stains indicate leaks where flashing is missing or improperly installed. 53. What is the recommended inspection frequency for a residential septic system? A. Every year B. Every 3 years C. Every 5 years D. Every 10 years Rationale: Septic systems should be inspected every 3 years to prevent failures. 54. What is the minimum required clearance between a gas appliance and combustible materials? A. 6 inches B. 12 inches C. 18 inches D. 24 inches Rationale: Code requires at least 12 inches clearance to combustible materials for safety.
C. 24 inches D. 36 inches Rationale: Frost depth varies but usually 12โ18 inches in NC, footings must extend below frost line.
59. What is a common cause of electrical arcing in homes? A. Proper wiring B. New breakers C. Loose or damaged connections D. Over-sized breakers Rationale: Loose or damaged connections cause arcing which is a fire hazard. 60. What type of insulation should not be installed in contact with recessed lighting fixtures? A. Fiberglass batt B. Cellulose C. Non-IC rated insulation D. Spray foam Rationale: Non-IC rated fixtures can overheat if covered by insulation, posing fire risks. 61. What is the minimum distance for gas meter clearance from a window? A. 6 inches B. 12 inches C. 12 inches vertically and 3 feet horizontally D. 5 feet
Rationale: Codes require specific clearances to prevent gas from entering the building.
62. What type of foundation venting is typical for a crawl space? A. Mechanical vents only B. Passive foundation vents C. No vents allowed D. Window vents Rationale: Passive vents allow airflow to reduce moisture buildup in crawl spaces. 63. What is the maximum height for a residential kitchen countertop? A. 32 inches B. 34 inches C. 36 inches D. 38 inches Rationale: Standard countertop height is about 36 inches for ergonomic use. 64. Which home system is responsible for removing indoor pollutants and excess moisture? A. Heating system B. Electrical system C. Ventilation system D. Plumbing system Rationale: Ventilation exchanges indoor air with fresh outdoor air to control pollutants and moisture.
