Is the interNachi training enough to pass the PSI exam; Also what study materials do you suggest if not? Thanks in advance.
Matthew, not trying to be a SA, but if you go to that magnifying glass which is the search option and type in your question, there are many threads covering the subject that should be very helpful.
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The NHIE Manual (Thanks Kenton…) is helpful, too. There have been some for sale used on this board and E-Bay, etc.
Just remember that there are more that one correct answer…choose the MOST correct answer. And, if you do not know an answer to a question, mark it to come back later to answer because often future questions give information that will help you answer the marked question.
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The NHIE Manual is a lot more in-depth than the Study Guide (a lot more expensive too).
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As Kenton says, there is a big difference between the study guide and the inspection manual. The study guide is about 50 pages and the Inspection Manual is about 650 pages. You can search for used ones on Amazon and eBay. I do not believe they are currently printed.
At one time you could purchase these direct from NHIE. Now NHIE offers some different study books. They have a set of 4 that covers Mechanical, NHIE Test content, Business, and Structural for $260.00, which doesn’t seem like a bad deal.
These may be more up to date, though I do not know as I have not actually seen them or heard from anyone that used them.
If anyone has purchased these we were like to hear your comments.
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Hi Matt,
The real issue is nobody here knows what you know. If fact you don’t know what you don’t know. The goal in this business is to know as much as possible. I would like to offer you a test that we used for our training program in IL. It will give you a break down in each category and you will be able to see each question’s correct answer when you are done. Granted it is geared towards IL, but we here in IL are not all that different than most of the country. You are also welcome to call me to discuss any question that just don’t make sense. 630-327-2700
There are a few videos there also that may help with the different parts of the home inspection process and I plan on doing more as time frees up. You have my best wishes.
Good luck and study hard. This is a rewarding career.
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Thanks for the help, what would be a good time to get in contact with you tomorrow?
Nice, Charles, very nice! 
After seeing on your website " Being a licensed home inspector in Illinois does not require any special tools, knowledge, or insurance." I was immediately suspicious of what you offer.
I’m not sure why you would say something that’s so obviously misleading, so I looked at the rest of your gig, and I have to admit, if you actually give new inspectors the experiences you claim, it would be a big advantage for them. I’m interested to hear what your alumni have to say, but only regarding inspection skills.
I will say that passing the NHIE requires studying the questions they test for, and general knowledge about home inspection isn’t necessarily relevant. It is biased toward ASHI and inspection practices in the Northeastern US. If you’re out to pass the NHIE, take suggestions from those who know about that test.
InterNACHI paid me to write a 150 page critique on the NHIE manual and I went through almost the entire 600 page manual three times (more or less), so that’s where I’m coming from.
“Being a licensed home inspector in Illinois does not require any special tools, knowledge, or insurance.”
Yes, this is on my website. It is not there as a “come on down, anyone can do this” . But the comment is still correct. Illinois does not require any special tools to do a home inspection. I will concede that you will need screw drivers to removed the dead front so you can inspect the interior components, but that is really about it. Illinois does not mandate E&O nor, GL. The special knowledge is my little slam that only 70% is required to pass the NHIE. The first time I took that exam in 1993, I failed it. The second time, (also in 1993) I barely passed it. I was forced to take it again in 2002 and I felt it was extremely easy. I had quite a bit more experience in the business in 2002 as compared to 1993.
My comment above is written to motivate an inspector to do more than just the minimum.
This is my opinion about using that exam as an entry level competence exam. Knowing 70% of what is on that exam is not enough. We should be closer to the 100% mark. Home inspectors are the most important part of the real estate transaction. When things are wrong with a home someone has to pay to get those issues corrected. When someone pays my company to do an inspection; I will not send someone to do an inspection who only know 70% of the home. We expect more.
My opinion about how past students of mine are prepared to take the exam. It is not me. It is not any school, or instructor, who makes the student pass the exam. It is the inspector who chooses to understand our profession enough to pass that exam. All I can do is present accurate information. The inspector needs to have the passion and desire to understand the information. When you understand the information, then you will pass the test easily. Just my two cents.
I also believe that experience is the key to success in this business. I have seen many come and go. I respect those that are in it for the long run and want to supply the most accurate, and complete, information as possible. I applaud when inspectors start adding tools like thermal imagers, moisture meters, combustion analyzers, and any other tool to get a more definitive result of an inspection. I do not believe in doing the minimum. I will respect other opinions that disagree with me, it is just how I choose to run my business.
There are people here that have been in this business longer than me. When I first started, putting photos in a report was taboo. Look at us now. We are moving in the right direction.
Thank you for visiting my site and giving it the once over. I would be interested in reading your critique on the NHIE manual. Please post a link to it if it is available to the membership.
I am curious how something like a knowledge test can be biased towards any organization. The questions I remember were mostly about defect recognition. Obviously that was 18 years ago. I know there are some questions that are about the process. Such as if you move insulation to see behind it. But being biased is confusing to me. Please share some examples. I would love to share those with those that come through our field training.
For the record, I am not a fan of passing the NHIE at 70% as a gateway to entering our profession. I encourage everyone to learn as much as you can and never stop trying to learn more.
Charlie
I am sorry I didn’t see this earlier. You are welcome to call me anytime. 630-327-2700
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