InterNACHI Deck Inspector exam-day guide
InterNACHI Deck Inspector · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name you registered under. If your registration name differs from your ID (nickname, maiden name), confirm with the provider before test day how to reconcile it; exam-day name mismatches are a common reason candidates are turned away.
Login credentials and exam access instructions
If you are testing remotely, have your username, password, and any exam-launch link or access code ready and tested a day ahead. Confirm with the provider whether the exam is launched from your member dashboard or a separate proctoring portal.
Stable internet connection and a backup plan
For remote testing, use a wired or strong Wi-Fi connection and know how to tether to a phone if service drops. Confirm with the provider whether a mid-exam disconnect pauses your timer or ends the attempt.
Compatible computer with camera and microphone
Use a laptop or desktop rather than a phone or tablet unless the provider explicitly allows mobile. Test your webcam and mic in advance; remote proctoring typically requires both. Confirm the provider's minimum browser and operating-system requirements.
Quiet, private, well-lit room
Choose a space with a door you can close, no other people, and lighting that shows your face and workspace clearly. Clear the desk of papers, phones, and notes unless the provider permits scratch materials.
Scratch paper and pen or pencil
Deck inspections involve spans, ledger boards, joists, and stair geometry, so quick sketches and arithmetic help. Confirm with the provider whether blank paper is allowed and whether you must show it to the proctor before and after the exam.
Allowed reference materials, if any
Determine in advance whether the exam is open-book. If it is, organize your code excerpts, span tables, and inspection notes for fast lookup. Do not assume notes are permitted; confirm with the provider.
Basic calculator or on-screen calculator
You may need to compute joist spans, footing sizes, or stair riser and tread counts. Confirm whether a physical calculator is allowed or only the on-screen tool, and whether phone calculators are prohibited.
Review the exam blueprint and topic weights
Spend your final study hours on the domains the provider lists with the highest weighting, such as framing, deck-to-house connections, footings, guardrails, and stairs. Confirm the current blueprint with the provider, since outlines can change.
Confirm exam format, time limit, and pass mark
Know the number of questions, the time allowed, and the passing score before you sit down. These details vary and can be updated, so verify them with the provider rather than relying on secondhand reports.
Water, snack, and restroom plan
Hydrate and eat lightly before you start. Confirm with the provider whether breaks are allowed during the exam and whether the timer keeps running if you take one.
Backup contact and support number
Save the provider's technical-support number or email so you can reach someone quickly if the platform fails, your proctor session drops, or you cannot launch the exam.
Plan the day
Finish your content review rather than starting new topics. Re-read your notes on the highest-risk areas: ledger-board attachment and flashing, lateral-load connections, post-to-footing connections, joist and beam sizing, guardrail height and infill, and stair rise/run consistency. Do one timed practice set to check your pacing, then stop cramming new material.
Confirm all logistics with the provider: exam date and time in your local zone, whether it is remote or in person, the platform and browser requirements, whether it is open-book, the time limit, the number of questions, and the passing score. Write the answers down so you are not guessing on the day.
Run a full technical dress rehearsal. Launch the proctoring or exam platform, check camera and microphone, confirm your login works, and close background applications. If you are testing in person, confirm the address, parking, and arrival time.
Do a light review only: skim your summary sheet of common deck defects and code thresholds, then put the material away. Prepare your ID, credentials, scratch paper, calculator, and water. Charge your laptop and phone, and set out everything in one place.
Protect your sleep. Avoid late-night cramming, alcohol, and heavy meals. A rested candidate reads span tables and stair geometry far more accurately than a tired one.
Eat a normal meal, hydrate moderately, and avoid excess caffeine if you are prone to jitters. Do a five-minute platform and camera check if testing remotely, and confirm your internet is working.
Clear and light your testing space: close the door, remove phones and notes from the desk unless permitted, and tell household members not to interrupt. Have your ID and permitted materials within reach.
Read the full question before answering, especially on questions with absolutes such as always, never, minimum, or maximum. Watch for qualifiers about existing versus new construction and about prescriptive versus engineered design.
Answer the straightforward questions first and flag the ones that need calculation or careful reading. Return to flagged items with your remaining time rather than letting one hard question consume your clock.
For calculation items, write out the given dimensions and units before computing, and sanity-check the result against typical deck proportions. For defect-recognition items, ask what the failure mode would be and which detail prevents it.
If a technical problem interrupts you, note the time and contact provider support immediately. Follow their instructions on whether the attempt can be resumed; do not open a second session without guidance.
Note your result and, if the provider offers a score report by domain, record which areas were weakest so a retake, if needed, can be targeted. Confirm with the provider how and when results and any certificate are issued.
Rules to check
Present the exact original ID in the name you registered with; do not rely on a photocopy or a photo on your phone. If your documents do not match your registration, contact the provider before test day to resolve it.
Test alone in a private room. Other people, talking, or someone entering the frame can invalidate a remotely proctored attempt. Confirm with the provider what visitors or interruptions are grounds for termination.
Keep only permitted materials on your desk. Unless the provider confirms the exam is open-book, treat notes, phones, smartwatches, and second screens as prohibited, and follow the proctor's instructions for showing your workspace.
Do not communicate with anyone but the proctor during the exam, and do not screenshot, copy, or share exam content. Item content is typically confidential; confirm the provider's confidentiality and academic-integrity terms before you begin.
Ask the proctor or provider about breaks before you start, and confirm whether the timer runs during a break. If breaks are not permitted, plan hydration and restroom use around the exam window.
Understand the scoring rules before you begin: number of questions, whether wrong answers are penalized, whether items are weighted by domain, and the passing score. Confirm all of these with the provider, as they can change between exam versions.
If you fail or need to retake, follow the provider's stated waiting period and retake policy rather than attempting to re-enter the exam on your own. Confirm the retake fee and eligibility with the provider.
Report any technical failure or suspected irregularity to provider support promptly and keep a record of the time and any reference number. Do not attempt workarounds that could be read as misconduct.