The InterNACHI Online Inspector Examination has 120 questions, 14 scored sections and a 60-minute limit. You need a score of at least 80 overall and at least 50 in every section. Passing the exam completes one of six steps toward the Certified Professional Inspector (CPI) credential.
How do you earn the CPI credential?
InterNACHI lists six certification steps. The exam is free and open to non-members, but earning the credential requires the remaining steps too.
You need an InterNACHI login to take the exam; a free guest account is sufficient. Check your state, province or country's licensing requirements separately. CPI certification does not automatically satisfy a government licensing requirement.
- Pass the Online Inspector Examination.
- Join InterNACHI.
- Complete the Code of Ethics Course.
- Complete the Standards of Practice Course.
- Submit four mock or simulated inspection reports using the provided checklist.
- Sign the enrolment agreement or affidavit.
Official sources: InterNACHI CPI requirements: observed official certification and maintenance excerpt — nachi.org/cpi-requirements.htm
Understand the two-part passing rule
An overall score of 80 is necessary, but a score below 50 in any of the 14 sections still results in a fail.
Questions carry different weights. Safety-related and essential-knowledge questions have greater impact on the result, so you cannot convert an overall score of 80 into a fixed number of correct answers.
Use both the overall result and the section breakdown when deciding what to study next. Strong results in several areas cannot compensate for a section below its minimum.
Practice exercise
In this original scoring example, your overall score is 83. One section is 46 and every other section is at least 50. Have you passed?
Show answer
No. The section score of 46 is below the required minimum.
The overall score clears 80, but every section must also reach 50. Review the material associated with the section that scored 46, then use the training resources to resolve your gaps before another attempt.
Official sources: InterNACHI Online Inspector Examination: observed official exam overview and FAQ — nachi.org/exams/online-inspector-exam
Use the published categories as a coverage checklist
The exam page names 17 subject categories, including building systems, inspection practice and professional conduct. These are not a one-to-one list of the 14 scored sections.
Start with the listed categories and use InterNACHI's training and exam feedback to choose what to review. Include ethics, reporting and inspection methods alongside the physical building systems.
InterNACHI says electrical and safety knowledge receive particular emphasis. That is a reason to study those areas carefully, while still covering the other categories and meeting every section minimum.
| Study grouping | Published categories |
|---|---|
| Building systems | Plumbing; Roofing; Electrical; Heating & Cooling; Structure; Exterior; Interior; Insulation & Ventilation; Fireplace & Chimney |
| Hazards and environment | Wood Destroying; Environment; Safety |
| Inspection and professional practice | General; Ethics; Inspection Methods; Reporting; Professional Practice |
Official sources: InterNACHI Online Inspector Examination: observed official exam overview and FAQ — nachi.org/exams/online-inspector-exam
Use feedback to make your next attempt more useful
InterNACHI recommends trying the free exam and using the result to identify weak areas. Retakes are free and unlimited for the unproctored online exam.
After an unsuccessful attempt, review the results graphic and choose the relevant training courses. As a study habit, record the concept you misunderstood, its explanation in the course material, and one question you still need answered.
An hour for 120 questions gives an average of 30 seconds per question. Some questions will take longer; practise monitoring time across groups of questions instead of imposing the same limit on each item.
For example, 40 questions at 45 seconds each consume 30 minutes. That leaves 30 minutes for 80 questions, or 22.5 seconds each on average. A slow opening stretch reduces the time available later.
Aim to understand the subject rather than memorise a previous sequence of answers. Questions are drawn from a larger pool, and answer order is randomised. A results report helps you focus revision; the full category list helps you check coverage.
Official sources: InterNACHI Online Inspector Examination: observed official exam overview and FAQ — nachi.org/exams/online-inspector-exam
Plan for the requirements after certification
InterNACHI requires a specified group of courses within 12 months of completing the sixth certification step, plus ongoing membership and education requirements.
Use the current certification requirements page for the full course list. Ongoing duties include following the applicable Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, completing 24 hours of continuing education under InterNACHI's policy, and maintaining an online education log.
The requirements page also calls for passing the Online Inspector Examination again every three years. Keep that date with your education records. InterNACHI states that existing members follow the requirements in effect when they joined, so check the provisions that apply to your membership.
Official sources: InterNACHI CPI requirements: observed official certification and maintenance excerpt — nachi.org/cpi-requirements.htm
Before you begin
Use this checklist to connect exam preparation with the full certification route.
- Create your guest account or check your existing login.
- Know both passing conditions: 80 overall and 50 in every section.
- Use the category list and your results to identify study priorities.
- Practise pacing within the 60-minute limit.
- Track the other five certification steps, including the four mock reports.
- Check local licensing requirements and any required proctoring.
- Record your course-completion, education and re-examination obligations.
Official sources: InterNACHI CPI requirements: observed official certification and maintenance excerpt — nachi.org/cpi-requirements.htm; InterNACHI Online Inspector Examination: observed official exam overview and FAQ — nachi.org/exams/online-inspector-exam
Official sources
Facts checked against official InterNACHI pages: