- The NHIE has 200 questions (175 scored, 25 pretest) with a four-hour limit.
- Passing means hitting a scaled score of 500 on a 200-800 scale, not a raw percentage.
- Property and Building Inspection/Site Review is worth 70% of the exam content.
- ACI certification needs 250 fee-paid inspections and five submitted reports, not just a passing score.
What ACI Actually Means (Quick Refresher)
ACI stands for ASHI Certified Inspector, the credential awarded by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). If you landed here searching for a fast reference sheet, you probably already know the basics - but it's worth pinning down the exact definition before you memorize anything else. For a deeper explanation of the acronym and how it differs from similarly-named designations in other industries, see What Does ACI Stand For? and ACI Meaning.
This one-pager is built for candidates who already have a study plan underway and just need a condensed, accurate reference for numbers, format, and domain weights. If you haven't started structured prep yet, back up and read the full ACI Study Guide 2026 first - this cheat sheet is a supplement, not a substitute.
NHIE Format Snapshot
ASHI does not administer a separate proprietary ACI-only exam. Instead, the pathway to ACI runs through the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE), developed by the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors (EBPHI). Here is the format condensed to bullet points for quick review:
- Question count: 200 multiple-choice questions total - 175 scored, 25 unscored pretest items you cannot identify during the test.
- Time limit: Four hours.
- Passing score: A scaled score of 500 on a 200-800 scale. This is not a percentage - see ACI Passing Score 2026 for a full explanation of how scaled scoring works.
- Delivery: Computer-based, at proctored testing centers. PSI administers the exam in most states; Pearson administers it in select state programs.
- Materials allowed: None. The exam is closed book - no personal notes, reference materials, or calculators.
Because the pretest questions are mixed in with scored items and indistinguishable during the test, treat every question with equal seriousness. There's no way to "skip" the 25 unscored items strategically.
Key Takeaway
Budget your four hours by domain weight, not by question order. Since Domain 1 makes up the bulk of content, expect the largest share of your time and mental energy to go toward property and building systems questions.
Fees and Registration Mechanics
Money and paperwork trip up more candidates than the content does. Here's the breakdown to have on hand before you register:
| Item | Cost / Detail |
|---|---|
| ASHI certification application fee | $449 (separate from exam fee) |
| NHIE exam fee | $225 per attempt in most US states |
| Fee-paid inspections required | At least 250, compliant with ASHI's Standard of Practice |
| Reports required for review | 5 compliant reports submitted for verification |
| Ongoing education | 20 ASHI continuing education credits annually |
Notice that the $449 application fee and the $225 exam fee are two distinct line items - candidates sometimes assume one covers the other. For a full accounting of every cost involved in reaching ACI status, including how the fees stack across a typical timeline, read ACI Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown.
Also confirm your specific eligibility path before paying anything. The 250-inspection and five-report requirements apply to full ACI certification - they are not prerequisites every NHIE candidate must satisfy before sitting the exam. The ACI Requirements 2026 guide walks through exactly what's needed at each stage, and when.
Domain Breakdown Cheat Sheet
The national NHIE content outline (effective April 1, 2024, as reproduced in Pearson's official documentation) organizes exam content into three domains. Memorize these weights - they should directly shape how you allocate study hours.
Domain 1: Property and Building Inspection/Site Review (70%)
This is by far the largest domain and covers the physical systems and components inspectors evaluate on-site.
- Electrical systems
- Structural components
- Roofing systems
- HVAC systems
- Plumbing systems
- Life-safety issues
- Electric vehicle service equipment
- Smart-home inspection issues
Domain 2: Analysis of Findings and Reporting (20%)
This domain tests your ability to interpret what you observed on-site and communicate it accurately and defensibly in a written report.
- Correctly classifying deficiencies
- Report accuracy and clarity
- Translating field observations into client-facing language
Domain 3: Professional Responsibilities (10%)
The smallest domain by weight but still a scored section - covers the ethical and procedural obligations of a working inspector.
- Code of Ethics adherence
- Standard of Practice compliance
- Professional conduct expectations
For a complete domain-by-domain walkthrough - including how to prioritize weak areas within Domain 1's massive scope - see ACI Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 3 Content Areas. If you're still gauging how tough this exam feels relative to expectations, How Hard Is the ACI Exam? breaks that down qualitatively rather than with invented numbers.
Certification Path Beyond the Exam
A cheat sheet wouldn't be complete without reminding you what happens after you pass. ACI certification is a multi-part credential, not a single test result:
- Pass the NHIE with a scaled score of 500 or higher.
- Complete at least 250 fee-paid home inspections compliant with ASHI's Standard of Practice.
- Submit five compliant inspection reports for review and verification.
- Agree to and follow ASHI's Code of Ethics.
- Pay the $449 ASHI certification application fee.
Skipping any one of these steps means you have not achieved ACI status, even with a passing exam score in hand. This is a common point of confusion, and it's worth reading ACI Certification and What Is ACI Certification? if you want the full explanation of how these pieces fit together.
Curious what doors this actually opens once you're certified? ACI Jobs covers who tends to hire ASHI Certified Inspectors, and Is the ACI Certification Worth It? takes a broader ROI look without inventing salary figures that don't apply to this specific credential.
One-Week Focus Plan for Last-Minute Review
If you're close to test day and just need a final-week structure, weight your review sessions to match domain percentages rather than splitting time evenly across all three domains.
Domain 1 Deep Review
- Cycle through electrical, structural, roofing, HVAC, and plumbing fundamentals
- Review EVSE and smart-home inspection considerations, since these are newer additions to the outline
- Drill practice questions specifically tagged to Domain 1
Domain 2 Reporting Practice
- Practice classifying findings and writing concise, defensible report language
- Review sample scenarios that test analysis-of-findings judgment calls
Domain 3 and Ethics Review
- Reread ASHI's Code of Ethics and Standard of Practice highlights
- Run through professional-responsibility practice questions once more
Full Mixed Review
- Take a full-length, timed practice run mimicking the four-hour, 200-question format
- Review missed questions across all three domains, prioritizing Domain 1 gaps
Note that this weighted schedule is only useful if you already understand the underlying content - it's a review structure, not a first-pass learning plan. For that, go back to the comprehensive ACI Study Guide 2026 and build a longer runway before exam day.
Day-of-Exam Checklist
Print this section, or keep it open on your phone the morning of your test.
- Confirm your testing center and delivery provider - PSI in most states, Pearson in select state programs.
- Bring required identification matching your registration exactly.
- Leave personal notes, reference books, and calculators at home or in the car - the exam is strictly closed book.
- Plan to be at the center with time to spare; proctored centers typically require early check-in.
- Mentally rehearse your time budget: roughly three minutes per question across the four-hour window, front-loaded toward Domain 1 material.
- Remember the 25 pretest questions are mixed in and unmarked - answer every question with full effort.
If test-day nerves are less about logistics and more about whether you're actually ready, check ACI Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows and ACI Exam Dates 2026 to confirm scheduling windows and set realistic expectations going in.
Key Takeaway
Nothing on the day-of checklist is optional - a forgotten ID or a smuggled calculator can end your attempt before it starts, regardless of how well you know Domain 1.
Maintaining Your ACI Credential
Passing the NHIE and completing the certification requirements is not the finish line. ASHI requires ACI holders to earn 20 continuing education credits annually and to keep adhering to professional standards, including the Code of Ethics. Build this into your long-term planning now so it doesn't catch you off guard a year after certifying.
Want to practice against exam-style questions before you commit to a testing date? Head to our practice test platform to work through timed, domain-weighted question sets modeled on the real NHIE structure. Running full-length simulations on the main practice site is one of the most direct ways to confirm your Domain 1 command before spending the $225 exam fee. You can also revisit the homepage anytime for updated practice resources as your test date approaches.
FAQ
No. ASHI's ACI credential relies on the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE), developed by the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors (EBPHI), rather than a distinct ACI-only test.
The $449 is ASHI's certification application fee. The $225 is the standard NHIE exam fee charged per attempt in most US states. They are separate charges, not one combined cost.
No. The exam is closed book, and personal notes, study materials, and calculators are all prohibited during the test.
No. Passing the NHIE is one requirement among several. Full ACI certification also requires 250 fee-paid inspections compliant with ASHI's Standard of Practice, five submitted reports for verification, and adherence to ASHI's Code of Ethics.
Domain 1, Property and Building Inspection/Site Review, carries 70% of exam content and covers electrical, structural, roofing, HVAC, plumbing, life-safety, EV service equipment, and smart-home topics - it should get the largest share of your review time.