InterNACHI CPI study guide
InterNACHI CPI · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Certified Professional Inspector (CPI)® credential is a United States federally registered certification mark for the building inspector professional credential, registered on the Principal Register at the USPTO. Per the USPTO description quoted by InterNACHI®, the mark certifies that inspections of residential and commercial buildings "have been performed by an inspector who has met the online examination requirements as established by the certifier." To use the CPI® certification and logo, an individual must be certified by InterNACHI®, a process that includes passing the Online Inspector Exam; InterNACHI® describes six steps to becoming an InterNACHI® Certified Home Inspector and attaining the credential. The credential is aimed at practicing and aspiring home inspectors who want a recognized designation behind their inspection work and marketing. Exam content is grounded in the Home Inspector Job Task Analysis, which lists the tasks a CPI® may perform along with the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) required to perform those tasks competently. The InterNACHI CPI study guide has 2 sections and about 628 words.
01Home Inspector Job Task Analysis: Tasks of a Certified Professional Inspector
The CPI task inventory is organized around the sequence of a real inspection, and questions often test whether you know when a task belongs and who is responsible for it. Understand the pre-inspection phase: confirming scope in a written agreement, disclosing limitations and the standards of practice you follow, identifying the client versus the occupant, and clarifying that the inspection is a visual, non-invasive, good-faith effort to identify material defects - not a warranty, code-compliance audit, or technically exhaustive evaluation.
311 words, about 2 min02Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) for Competent Inspection
The KSA domain tests whether you understand what competence looks like, not just facts. Knowledge includes building science fundamentals, common construction methods and materials by era, the standards of practice and code of ethics you are bound to, and the reporting standards for your jurisdiction.
317 words, about 2 min