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Inspector Exam Lab
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Exam prep only · Not a licensing course · No state approval

The curriculum

115 lessons. Every one of them is on the test.

The order follows the manuals: the visual, structural material first, then the mechanical systems, then reporting and professional responsibilities. Every lesson carries the outline task it serves, so you always know what a topic is worth.

What a lesson contains

The page

Written at an eighth grade reading level, restructured out of the manual rather than copied from it, and readable on a phone because half of your study time will be on one.

The video

Fifteen to thirty minutes, taught from the page, so you can listen in a truck between inspections and read later.

The pictures

Real defect photos from real inspections, plus custom diagrams drawn for this course. No manual scans, ever.

The quiz

Twelve to twenty questions, 80 percent to pass, unlimited attempts, shuffled every time, rationale on every item.

The lesson map

Build status is shown for every lesson because the course is still being produced. You are seeing what exists, not what is promised.

The course

115 lessons, in order. 2 are free to read, marked below.

  1. 1Course Introduction and NHIE OverviewFreeDrafted
  2. 2ASite Scope, Terms and Retaining WallsD1 · T1Drafted
  3. 2BGrade, Drainage and VegetationD1 · T1Drafted
  4. 3Driveways, Walkways, Patios and Pool/Spa BarriersD1 · T1Drafted
  5. 4AExterior Scope and Terms, Adhered Masonry Veneer, Metal and Asbestos Cement Siding and Brick VeneerD1 · T2Drafted
  6. 4BFiber Cement, Hardboard, Insulbrick, Stucco, EIFS, Vinyl, Wood and Wood Structural Panel SidingD1 · T2Drafted
  7. 4CExterior Trim, Flashing and Sealants, Eaves and CorniceD1 · T2Drafted
  8. 5AExterior Doors and Safety Glazing at DoorsD1 · T2Drafted
  9. 5BWindows, Window Flashing, Glazing, Window Wells, Escape Openings and Fall ProtectionD1 · T2Drafted
  10. 6AStoops, Porches and BalconiesD1 · T2Drafted
  11. 6BDeck Materials, Flashing, Ledger Attachment and Deck StairsD1 · T2Drafted
  12. 6CDeck Guards, Framing, Flooring, Bracing, Beams, Footings and DefectsD1 · T2Drafted
  13. 7Garage Vehicle Doors and OperatorsD1 · T2Drafted
  14. 8ASteep Slope Roofing: Asphalt Shingles and TileD1 · T3Drafted
  15. 8BSteep Slope Roofing: Fiber Cement and MetalD1 · T3Drafted
  16. 8CSteep Slope Roofing: Slate, Polymer, Wood and Ice DamsD1 · T3Drafted
  17. 9ALow Slope Roofing: Built-Up Membranes and Roll RoofingD1 · T3Drafted
  18. 9BLow Slope Roofing: Modified Bitumen, Foam and EPDMD1 · T3Drafted
  19. 9CRoof Drainage: Gutters, Scuppers and Internal DrainsD1 · T3Drafted
  20. 10ARoof Flashing: Penetrations, Sidewalls and HeadwallsD1 · T3Drafted
  21. 10BSkylightsD1 · T3Drafted
  22. 11AStructural Scope and TermsD1 · T4Drafted
  23. 11BForces and Soils, Footings, Piers and ColumnsD1 · T4Drafted
  24. 11CBasement Foundations, Materials, Waterproofing and DefectsD1 · T4Drafted
  25. 11DFoundation Repairs, Crawl Spaces and SlabsD1 · T4Drafted
  26. 12AFloor Framing, Spans, Bearing, Notching and BoringD1 · T4Drafted
  27. 12BI-Joists, SCL, Glulam and Floor TrussesD1 · T4Drafted
  28. 12CWall Systems, Fireblocking and Fire SeparationD1 · T4Drafted
  29. 12DWood Wall Framing, Bracing and Wall DefectsD1 · T4Drafted
  30. 12ECMU, Brick, ICF, SIPs and Uncommon Wall MaterialsD1 · T4Drafted
  31. 13ARoof and Ceiling Framing, Rafters, Ties and PurlinsD1 · T4Drafted
  32. 13BRoof Framing Defects, Trusses and Attic AccessD1 · T4Drafted
  33. 14AInsulation Scope and Terms, R-Value and How Insulation WorksD1 · T8Drafted
  34. 14BVapor Retarders and the House as a SystemD1 · T8Drafted
  35. 14CInsulation MaterialsD1 · T8Drafted
  36. 15AInsulation Defects, Water-Resistive Barriers, Radiant Barriers and FenestrationD1 · T8Drafted
  37. 16AMechanical Ventilation, HRV and ERV, Whole-House FansD1 · T9Drafted
  38. 16BDryer, Kitchen and Bathroom ExhaustD1 · T9Drafted
  39. 16CAttic Ventilation and Closed AtticsD1 · T8Drafted
  40. 16DCrawl Space Ventilation and Basement Wall InsulationD1 · T8Drafted
  41. 17AInterior Walls, Ceilings, Drywall, Plaster and TrimD1 · T11Drafted
  42. 17BInterior Doors and Floor CoveringsD1 · T11Drafted
  43. 18AStairs, Ramps, Handrails and GuardsD1 · T11Drafted
  44. 18BCabinets, Countertops and Smart Home ScopeD1 · T11Drafted
  45. 19AInspection Scope, Limitations, Standards and Report FormatsD2 · T1Drafted
  46. 19BDeficiency Statements and RecommendationsD2 · T4Drafted
  47. 19CDeficient Conditions, Service Life and Imminent ThreatsD2 · T3Drafted
  48. 19DSystem Descriptions and Inspection MethodsD2 · T1Drafted
  49. 19EInspection Limitation Statements and Other Report ContentsD2 · T2Drafted
  50. 20Inspection Tools and the Inspection ProcessD2 · T1Drafted
  51. 21ABusiness Law, Claims and LiabilityD3 · T2Drafted
  52. 21BContracts and InsuranceD3 · T1Drafted
  53. 22Ethics, Starting a Business and MarketingD3 · T2Drafted
  54. 23AElectrical Terms and Basic ElectricityD1 · T5Drafted
  55. 23BGrounding, Bonding and the Electrical ServiceD1 · T5Drafted
  56. 24AService Equipment, Enclosures and PanelboardsD1 · T5Drafted
  57. 24BOvercurrent Protection, GFCI and AFCID1 · T5Drafted
  58. 24CPanelboard Defects, Subpanels and Problem PanelsD1 · T5Drafted
  59. 25AWiring Methods, Cables and RacewaysD1 · T5Drafted
  60. 25BOlder Wiring: Knob and Tube, Cloth NM and AluminumD1 · T5Drafted
  61. 26AReceptaclesD1 · T5Drafted
  62. 26BSwitches, Lights and Ceiling FansD1 · T5Drafted
  63. 27ASmoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms, Load Controllers and GeneratorsD1 · T5Drafted
  64. 27BAlternative Energy Systems: Solar PV, Wind and Solar Water HeatingD1 · T5Drafted
  65. 28ACooling Systems: Understanding the SystemFreeD1 · T6Drafted
  66. 28BCooling Systems: Inspecting Equipment and Typical DefectsD1 · T6Drafted
  67. 28CCooling Systems: Condensate, Line Sets and ThermostatsD1 · T6Drafted
  68. 29Air Distribution Systems, Ducts, Returns and FiltersD1 · T6Drafted
  69. 30Heating Fundamentals, Combustion and CapacityD1 · T7Drafted
  70. 31AGas Appliance Categories and Gas Forced-Air FurnacesD1 · T7Drafted
  71. 31BFloor and Wall Furnaces, Room Heaters and Unvented AppliancesD1 · T7Drafted
  72. 32ACategory I Gas Vent Systems and Vent DefectsD1 · T7Drafted
  73. 32BVent Connectors, Category III and IV Vents and Direct Vent TerminationsD1 · T7Drafted
  74. 32COil BurnersD1 · T7Drafted
  75. 32DOil Vent SystemsD1 · T7Drafted
  76. 33AElectric Heating SystemsD1 · T7Drafted
  77. 33BHot Water Heating SystemsD1 · T7Drafted
  78. 33CSteam Heating Systems and Distribution PipingD1 · T7Drafted
  79. 33DSteam Distribution Components, Vents and TrapsD1 · T7Drafted
  80. 33ESteam Boiler Components, Solid Fuel and Related ComponentsD1 · T7Drafted
  81. 34APlumbing Scope and Plumbing TermsD1 · T10Drafted
  82. 34BPipe Supports, Copper, CPVC, Galvanized Steel and PEXD1 · T10Drafted
  83. 34CPB, Brass and Lead Pipe, Water Connectors and ValvesD1 · T10Drafted
  84. 34DFaucets, Shower Valves, Hose Bibbs and AeratorsD1 · T10Drafted
  85. 35ABathtubsD1 · T10Drafted
  86. 35BShowers and Tub/ShowersD1 · T10Drafted
  87. 35CSinksD1 · T10Drafted
  88. 35DToilets and BidetsD1 · T10Drafted
  89. 35EStandpipes, Floor Drains and Backflow PreventionD1 · T10Drafted
  90. 35FWater Treatment Devices and Hot Water CirculationD1 · T10Drafted
  91. 35GWells: Types, Location and ComponentsD1 · T10Drafted
  92. 35HCisterns, Water Quality and Fire SprinklersD1 · T10Drafted
  93. 36ADomestic Hot Water, Storage Tank Basics and ComponentsD1 · T10Drafted
  94. 36BElectric and Gas Storage Tank Water HeatersD1 · T10Drafted
  95. 36CDemand, Oil and Heat Pump Water Heaters, Relief Valves and Drain PansD1 · T10Drafted
  96. 36DWater Heater Installation, Seismic Bracing, Thermal Expansion and DefectsD1 · T10Drafted
  97. 37ADWV Rules and Pipe MaterialsD1 · T10Drafted
  98. 37BDWV Fittings, Cleanouts and DefectsD1 · T10Drafted
  99. 38ATraps and Fixture DrainsD1 · T10Drafted
  100. 38BPlumbing Vents: Purpose, Inspection, Terminals and SizeD1 · T10Drafted
  101. 38CVent Systems, Vent Connections and Air Admittance ValvesD1 · T10Drafted
  102. 38DSeptic SystemsD1 · T10Drafted
  103. 38ESewage Ejectors, Backwater Valves and Sump PumpsD1 · T10Drafted
  104. 38FGas Pipe Materials: Black Steel, Copper and CSSTD1 · T10Drafted
  105. 38GOther Gas Pipes, Connectors, Valves and Gas Pipe InstallationD1 · T10Drafted
  106. 38HGas Meters, Regulators, Sizing, Leak Detection and Propane TanksD1 · T10Drafted
  107. 38IOil Supply, Valves, Filters and TanksD1 · T10Drafted
  108. 39AFireplace Types and Terms, Firebox, Hearth and ClearancesD1 · T12Drafted
  109. 39BCombustion Air, Masonry Chimney Construction, Liners, Flue Area and DefectsD1 · T12Drafted
  110. 40AFactory-Built Fireplaces and ChimneysD1 · T12Drafted
  111. 40BDraft Problems, Fireplace Inserts, Wood and Pellet StovesD1 · T12Drafted
  112. 41AAppliance Scope and Terms, Cooktops, Ranges, Ovens and DishwashersD1 · T11Drafted
  113. 41BMicrowave Ovens, Exhaust Hoods, Disposers, Trash Compactors, Refrigerators and FreezersD1 · T11Planned
  114. 42Life Safety Systems: Egress, Fire Separation, Alarms and SprinklersD1 · T13Drafted
  115. 43Scheduling, Taking and Passing the NHIEPlanned

Bonus

Included, not core.

  1. Bonus 1Glossary, the Terms Most Likely on the NHIEBonus
  2. Bonus 2Mastery Exam Walkthrough and Pacing StrategyBonus
  3. Bonus 3Common Pacific Northwest Inspection IssuesBonus

How a lesson gets made

This is the part nobody advertises, and it is the reason the coverage claim is not marketing.

  1. 1

    Extract

    Every page of source material is read and every testable fact is written into a ledger: each number, each defect in each list, each scope statement, each should and each must.

  2. 2

    Write

    The lesson is written from the ledger, in original wording, restructured for how people actually learn rather than how a reference manual is organized.

  3. 3

    Audit

    The ledger is checked back against the finished page, line by line. Every fact has to map to a section that teaches it. The first lesson through this process turned up fourteen gaps and one outright error in an earlier draft.

  4. 4

    Question

    Items are written from the same ledger, each tagged to its outline task and each carrying the source page it was verified against.

  • No sentence in a lesson matches the manual verbatim.
  • Every number in a lesson matches the ledger.
  • Every question cites the page it was verified against.

Stop studying home inspection. Start studying the exam.

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