How hard is the NHIE?
The National Home Inspector Examination is considered difficult: only about 45% of candidates pass on their first attempt, meaning roughly 55% fail the first time. The difficulty comes from its breadth — it tests 13 areas of property inspection plus analysis, reporting, and professional standards in a single 4-hour sitting. Candidates who study with full-length practice questions and review their weak domains pass at substantially higher rates than those who rely on reading alone.
How many questions are on the NHIE?
The NHIE has 200 multiple-choice questions. Of these, 175 are scored and 25 are unscored “pretest” questions mixed in randomly to trial future items — you won't know which is which, so treat every question as if it counts. You're given 4 hours to complete the exam.
What score do you need to pass the NHIE?
You need a scaled score of 500 to pass the NHIE. The exam uses a scaled scoring system that runs from 200 to 800, where 500 corresponds to roughly 70% of scored questions answered correctly. Because scoring is scaled rather than a raw percentage, the exact number of questions needed can vary slightly by exam form. You receive your score report before leaving the testing center.
How much does the NHIE cost, and how many times can you retake it?
The NHIE costs $225 per attempt. If you don't pass, you can retake it, but you must wait 30 days between attempts, and you pay the $225 fee each time. That retake cost is why first-time preparation matters: a single focused round of practice is far cheaper than a second or third exam sitting.
Where do you take the NHIE?
The NHIE is administered at professional testing centers run by PSI, Pearson VUE, or AMP, depending on your state. It's a computer-based exam, so you'll take it on-screen at a proctored center. Check your state's licensing board to confirm which provider handles testing in your area and how to register.
What's on the NHIE?
The NHIE covers three domains, weighted by how many questions each contributes: Property Inspection makes up 70% of the exam, Analysis & Reporting 20%, and Professional Responsibilities 10%. Property Inspection is by far the largest — it spans 13 areas including site, exterior, roof, structure, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, interior, fireplaces, and life-safety systems. Because 7 of every 10 questions come from Property Inspection, that's where focused practice pays off most.
How many practice questions does NHIEPrepPro have?
NHIEPrepPro has a bank of 378 exam-ready practice questions covering all three NHIE domains, weighted to match the official 70/20/10 split. Each question includes a full explanation, and the platform tracks which categories you're weakest in so you can target your study time.
Does NHIEPrepPro offer a free trial?
Yes. You can try 10 free demo questions with no account required. If you decide to buy, plans are a one-time payment (no subscription) and backed by a 7-day satisfaction guarantee.
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