CAHPI National Exam (CNE) study plan

CAHPI National Exam (CNE) · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Home Inspection Standards of Practice (CAHPI Standards of Practice or CSA A770)

Map every section of the CAHPI Standards of Practice (or CSA A770) into a personal outline that lists the required scope and the expressed exclusions for each system
Define the inspector's duty of care and the limits of a visual, non-invasive inspection in your own words without consulting notes
Distinguish 'inspect', 'describe', 'report', 'recommend', and 'not required' as the Standards use them, giving one example of each

A one-page scope-and-limits reference sheet covering all Standard sections, self-quizzed to 90% recall

Week 2

Trace the required inspection sequence for structure, exterior, and roof covering, matching each to its Standard clause
Identify the ten most commonly misreported defects (e.g., roof flashing, grading, foundation cracking) and write the Standard-compliant wording for each
Explain how a defect outside the Standards' scope must still be disclosed if observed

A 20-item defect-wording log with the corresponding Standard clause cited for each entry

Week 3

Describe the function and common failure modes of the structural, electrical, plumbing, heating, and cooling systems
Explain how to distinguish normal wear from a material defect in at least three building systems
Outline safe operating procedures for testing a furnace, water heater, and electrical panel during an inspection

A systems matrix listing component, function, common defect, and safe test method for all major systems

Week 4

Apply Standard scope rules to at least 15 scenario-based technical questions and justify each answer against a clause
Diagnose the difference between a safety hazard, a maintenance item, and a defect, and classify 10 examples correctly
Explain how to report a defect that is both a Standards violation and a safety concern

A scored 30-question mixed technical/Standards practice set with written rationales for every miss

Week 5

Summarize each article of the CAHPI Code of Ethics and state the duty it imposes on the inspector
Analyze conflict-of-interest scenarios (referral fees, repair work, undisclosed relationships) and determine the compliant action
Explain the inspector's obligations regarding client confidentiality, report accuracy, and continuing competence

A Code of Ethics decision tree covering at least eight ethical dilemmas with the governing article cited

Week 6

Draft a client-facing disclosure statement that meets both the Code of Ethics and the Standards' reporting requirements
Explain the elements of a defensible inspection agreement, including scope, limitations, and liability language
Describe the correct protocol when a client asks the inspector to omit a known defect from the report

A complete model inspection agreement and disclosure package reviewed against every applicable Code article

Week 7

Structure a compliant report: summary, scope, limitations, observations, recommendations, and photo documentation
Write findings in objective, non-alarmist language that distinguishes observation from opinion
Explain record retention, report delivery, and the inspector's duty to correct errors after delivery

A full sample inspection report for a hypothetical property, self-scored against a 15-point reporting rubric

Week 8

Complete a timed full-length mock exam under test conditions and record per-domain accuracy
Review every missed item and write a one-line rule that would have produced the correct answer
Re-quiz the weakest two domains until each reaches 85% accuracy
Finalize a one-page exam-day strategy covering pacing, flagging, and Standards-first reasoning

A mock exam score report showing 85%+ in every domain plus a consolidated error-rule sheet

Week 2: Score 90% or better on a self-administered Standards scope-and-limits quiz

Week 4: Score 75% or better on the 30-question mixed technical/Standards practice set

Week 6: Pass an ethics scenario review with zero incorrect classifications

Week 8: Achieve 85% or higher in all four domains on the timed mock exam