NHIE Exterior Practice Questions
Domain 1, Task 2 of 13 in the EBPHI content outline · 5% of the exam, about 9 of the 175 scored questions
200 questions across all fifteen sections in 4 hours, with a score for Exterior so you know where you stand.
Free Exterior drillDeck stairs have six risers measuring 7 1/2, 7 1/2, 7 1/2, 7 1/2, 7 1/2 and 5 inches. Why is this a safety issue?
Exterior Components on the National Home Inspector Exam
Exterior components are Task 2 of Domain 1 and 5% of the National Home Inspector Exam, about 9 of the 175 scored questions. The questions cover the wall covering and its flashings, exterior doors and windows, decks and porches with their stairs and guards, and garage vehicle doors and automatic openers.
- Share of the exam
- 5% in the official content outline, about 9 of the 175 scored questions
- Our drill
- 10 questions from 28 Exterior questions, untimed, an explanation after every answer; one free attempt, unlimited with a pass
What exterior components questions test
- Wall cladding, flashing, trim, eaves, soffits and fascia: vinyl, wood, fiber cement, brick veneer, stucco and EIFS, and their typical defects
- Exterior doors and windows: decayed wood, missing flashing, cracked glass, safety glazing and egress
- Decks, balconies, porches, stoops and stairs: ledger attachment and flashing, fasteners, guard and handrail rules, riser and tread uniformity
- Garage vehicle doors and openers: springs, rollers, obstruction sensors and the automatic reverse test
Sit the full exam under the real clock
200 questions across all fifteen sections in 4 hours, with a score for Exterior so you know where you stand.
Free Exterior drillHow to study it
- Learn how each cladding sheds water and what its weak point is (veneer weeps, stucco clearance, siding behind kickout flashing).
- Know the deck ledger rule: bolts or lags into the rim joist with flashing above it, never nails alone.
- Memorize the IRC stair and guard numbers once; they come back in the interior and life safety sections.
- Take the exterior drill until you score 80% or better.
Common questions
How many exterior questions are on the NHIE?
Exterior components are 5% of the exam, about 9 of the 175 scored questions.
Do home inspectors test garage door openers?
The NHIE outline lists garage vehicle doors and operators, with safety issues such as missing or misaligned obstruction sensors and improper adjustment of the automatic reverse.
200 questions across all fifteen sections in 4 hours, with a score for Exterior so you know where you stand.
Free Exterior drillThe other home inspector exam sections
- Site Conditions
- Roof Components
- Structural Components
- Electrical Systems
- Cooling Systems
- Heating Systems
- Insulation, Moisture Management and Ventilation
- Mechanical Exhaust Systems
- Plumbing and Fuel Distribution Systems
- Interior Components
- Fireplaces, Fuel-Burning Appliances and Chimneys
- Life Safety Equipment and Systems
- Analysis of Findings and Reporting
- Professional Responsibilities
- Home inspector practice exam (200 questions, 4 hours)
- Mixed drill: all fifteen sections
Sources
- EBPHI: Frequently Asked Questions (questions, time, fee, scoring, retakes)
- EBPHI: Policies, Procedures, Content handbook with the NHIE content outline (© 2023)
- EBPHI: Prepare for the Exam (domains, references, practice quizzes)
- PSI: National Home Inspector Examination candidate bulletin
- EBPHI: State regulations map
- ICC: International Residential Code (IRC) 2021
Original practice questions for exam preparation, written to the EBPHI National Home Inspector Examination content outline (© 2023), not EBPHI exam questions. Independent practice, not affiliated with or endorsed by the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors (EBPHI) or PSI. National Home Inspector Examination and NHIE are registered marks of EBPHI.