Foundation anchor bolts create the essential connection between a home’s wooden sill plate and its concrete or masonry foundation wall—one of the most important structural links in any house. While anchor bolt inspection may fall outside standard practice requirements, inspectors who choose to evaluate these components can provide valuable insights to their clients about structural integrity and safety. When examining anchor bolts, look for proper spacing with bolts no more than 6 feet apart along the plate, at least 2 bolts per plate section, no bolt positioned farther than 12 inches from the plate end, and no bolt closer than 7 bolt diameters from the end. Check that bolt placement falls within the middle third of the plate width and verify the sill plate uses pressure-treated lumber when resting on concrete foundation walls. Also inspect for corrosion, missing or loose washers and nuts, oversized holes, rust staining, and gaps between the sill plate and foundation. InterNACHI’s free “Pre-Drywall Inspection Course” at www.internachi.edu—the only tuition-free college for home inspectors—provides detailed training on this component, including a comprehensive anchor bolt checklist and illustration gallery with professional graphics for inspection reports. Understanding these connection standards helps inspectors educate clients about how proper anchor bolt installation protects against lateral forces from earthquakes, high winds, and soil movement while enhancing professional expertise.