Canadian Home Inspector (RHI) Exam
CAHPI National Exam
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ExploreAbout this exam
The CAHPI National Exam is the examination step in the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors' national certification pathway. CAHPI describes itself as a national non-profit organization and "Canada's voice of the home inspection industry." Passing the National exam is one of the membership qualifications, alongside completion of mentoring with peer evaluation and continuing education. Members who complete the pathway are recognized as National Certificate Holders or Registered Home Inspectors, and CAHPI states that members inspect to either the CAHPI Standards of Practice or the CSA A770 Home Inspection Standard and adhere to the CAHPI Code of Ethics. The exam is therefore aimed at practicing inspectors and candidates who want a recognized national credential, not at consumers or tradespeople seeking a single-course certificate. CAHPI notes that the examination process is provided by a neutral third party specializing in home inspector competency assessment, so expect questions that test applied judgment across standards of practice, ethics, building systems and components, and professional reporting and business conduct rather than trivia alone. To prepare, study the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics closely, review building systems and defect recognition, and practise report writing and client communication scenarios. Use the practice exam, which CAHPI says can be written up to five times before the National Exam, to identify weak domains, then close those gaps before booking a proctored sitting.
What you'll study
About Canadian Home Inspector (RHI) Exam preparation
How is the CAHPI National Exam delivered?
CAHPI states the exam is available online 24/7 and is proctored by video (web cam). You do not need to travel to a test centre, but you do need a reliable connection, a working camera and a private space. Results are emailed upon completion of the exam, so watch your inbox after you finish.
Can I practise before writing the real exam?
Yes. CAHPI says a practice exam can be written up to 5X prior to writing the National Exam. Treat each attempt as diagnostic: note which domains produce wrong answers, review those topics, and only book the proctored exam once your practice scores are consistently strong.
How long is the exam and what score do I need to pass?
The source page does not publish a question count, time limit or passing score, so confirm these with CAHPI before booking. Do not rely on figures from older study guides or forum posts, which may reflect retired versions of the exam. Plan your pacing only once you have the current official specifications.
What topics should I study first?
Start with the CAHPI Standards of Practice or CSA A770 and the CAHPI Code of Ethics, since CAHPI states members inspect to one of those standards and adhere to the Code. Then work through building systems and components, and finish with reporting, client communication and business practice scenarios.
What is the difference between the National Certificate Holder and Registered Home Inspector designations?
CAHPI describes both as the highest industry designations and lists passing the National exam, completion of mentoring with peer evaluation and continuing education among membership qualifications. The source page does not break down the exact requirements for each designation separately, so ask CAHPI or your regional association which steps remain for you.
Who writes the exam questions?
CAHPI states that the examination process is provided by a neutral third party specializing in home inspector competency assessment. That means questions are designed to test demonstrated competency rather than loyalty to one training provider. Study broadly across standards, ethics, technical systems and professional practice rather than memorizing a single course.
What causes candidates to fail?
The most common pattern is uneven preparation: strong technical knowledge but weak grasp of Standards of Practice limits and ethics obligations, or the reverse. Candidates also lose marks by answering what they would do on site rather than what the standard or Code requires. Read each scenario carefully and justify answers against the published documents.
Is this page affiliated with CAHPI?
No. This is independent study material for candidates preparing for the CAHPI National Exam. It is not produced, endorsed or approved by the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors. Always confirm exam logistics, fees and requirements directly with CAHPI and your regional association before you book.