NHIE exam day: cost, scheduling, and what to bring

EBPHI lists the fee as $225 per test in most states and in Canada, and asks you to confirm it when you register. You pay when you book, online or by phone. Test centers don't take payment.

The fee is nonrefundable and can't be moved to someone else. Each retake is a new fee. If you pass and you're eligible for GI Bill education benefits, you might get the cost back from the VA with form VBA-22-0803-ARE.

EBPHI contracts with PSI to give the NHIE at proctored test centers in most states. Some states use their own test administrator. EBPHI says candidates seeking a license in Florida, Illinois, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, or Washington must test through that state's contracted administrator. Its packet also lists Texas with Pearson VUE.

Your state board names the right one. For each state's rules, see home inspector license requirements by state.

• You have to register in advance. There are no walk-ins.
• You have one year from the day PSI receives your fee to take the exam, or the fee is lost.
• To change or cancel without paying again, tell the test administrator at least two business days before your exam. Later than that, you pay the full fee.
• Missing the exam without rescheduling costs you the fee. EBPHI can excuse an absence for illness, a death in the immediate family, a disabling traffic accident, a court date or jury duty, or military duty.

Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early. If you're late, you lose your seat and the fee.

• Bring your confirmation number, your ID, and any other documents your state asks for.
• Leave outside bags, study materials, books, papers, and phones. Anything you carry into the testing room is collected and handed back after the exam.
• No calculators, and no eating, drinking, or smoking during the exam.

A short tutorial shows you how the computer works, and that time doesn't come out of your 4 hours. The clock starts when you see the first question. At 4 hours the testing unit turns off.

You can't leave the room without the test center manager's permission, and a break doesn't add time. If a question looks wrong, flag it and follow the comment steps at the end of the exam.

In the United States, you get your score report before you leave. It might show a scaled score or only PASS or FAIL. In most states a failing report shows how you did in each content area.

For how the score is figured, see what score you need to pass the NHIE. For the format and content, see the National Home Inspector Exam guide.