NHIE Home Inspector Pass Rate, Format & Study Guide

The National Home Inspector Examination has 200 multiple-choice questions in four hours, of which 25 are unscored pretest questions placed randomly (EBPHI and PSI candidate handbook). The exam is scored on a scaled score between 200 and 800 with a passing scaled score of 500; the number of questions needed varies by exam form. This portal's practice mock has 200 questions.

Many states require a passing NHIE score for a home inspector license, and it is often the exam employers and boards treat as the standard measure of inspection knowledge.

Prospective home inspectors completing state-required training, working inspectors moving to a state that requires the NHIE, and candidates retaking the exam.

The certifying body does not publicly publish an official pass rate for this exam. Be wary of third-party sites citing a specific number here — treat any pass-rate claim you see elsewhere for this exam as unverified.

The PSI bulletin says you may retake the exam and must wait 30 days between retakes; each retake requires a new $225 registration. Your state board may set additional rules.

The NHIE is scored on a scale of 200 to 800 and the passing scaled score is 500. The raw number of correct answers needed is not fixed because different exam forms are equated to the same scale. Format: 200 multiple-choice questions in four hours, including 25 unscored pretest questions. No official pass rate is available for this exam, so none is quoted here.

The National Home Inspector Examination has 200 multiple-choice questions in four hours, of which 25 are unscored pretest questions placed randomly (EBPHI and PSI candidate handbook). The exam is scored on a scaled score between 200 and 800 with a passing scaled score of 500; the number of questions needed varies by exam form. This portal's practice mock has 200 questions. 200 multiple-choice questions (25 of them unscored pretest) · 4 hours · scaled score 200-800, 500 to pass · wait 30 days between retakes. The NHIE is scored on a scale of 200 to 800 and the passing scaled score is 500. The raw number of correct answers needed is not fixed because different exam forms are equated to the same scale.

• D1 T1: Site Conditions5%
• D1 T2: Building Exterior5%
• D1 T3: Roof Components6%
• D1 T4: Structural Components6%
• D1 T5: Electrical Systems7%
• D1 T6: Cooling Systems4%
• D1 T7: Heating Systems5%
• D1 T8: Insulation, Moisture and Ventilation5%
• D1 T9: Mechanical Exhaust5%
• D1 T10: Plumbing and Fuel Distribution6%
• D1 T11: Interior Components4%
• D1 T12: Fireplaces, Fuel-Burning Appliances and Chimneys6%
• D1 T13: Life Safety Equipment6%
• D2 T1: Report Content and Methods4%
• D2 T2: Report Limitations4%
• D2 T3: Describing Defects6%
• D2 T4: Further Evaluation and Action6%
• D3 T1: Pre-Inspection Agreement5%
• D3 T2: Quality, Integrity and Objectivity5%

The content outline spreads questions across 19 areas: D1 T1: Site Conditions (5.0%); D1 T2: Building Exterior (5.0%); D1 T3: Roof Components (6.0%); D1 T4: Structural Components (6.0%); D1 T5: Electrical Systems (7.0%); D1 T6: Cooling Systems (4.0%); D1 T7: Heating Systems (5.0%); D1 T8: Insulation, Moisture and Ventilation (5.0%); D1 T9: Mechanical Exhaust (5.0%); D1 T10: Plumbing and Fuel Distribution (6.0%); D1 T11: Interior Components (4.0%); D1 T12: Fireplaces, Fuel-Burning Appliances and Chimneys (6.0%); D1 T13: Life Safety Equipment (6.0%); D2 T1: Report Content and Methods (4.0%); D2 T2: Report Limitations (4.0%); D2 T3: Describing Defects (6.0%); D2 T4: Further Evaluation and Action (6.0%); D3 T1: Pre-Inspection Agreement (5.0%); D3 T2: Quality, Integrity and Objectivity (5.0%).

The NHIE is a national exam used by state licensing programs, so who may take it is decided by each state or jurisdiction. Most states require approved pre-licensing education or field experience before authorizing the exam; check your state board for its list.

PSI charges $225 for each registration, including retakes. State license fees, application fees and training courses are set separately and were not confirmed here.

Licensing, renewal and continuing education are set by each state; this guide does not cover them, so check your state home inspector board.

Start with the heaviest areas of the content outline: D1 T5: Electrical Systems (7.0%); D1 T3: Roof Components (6.0%); D1 T4: Structural Components (6.0%). Then work through the remaining areas, and finish with timed full-length practice runs of 200 questions in one sitting.

Content outlines, fees and passing standards change; this guide follows the materials listed under Verification as of October 2026. Check your state licensing board and PSI before you register.