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Domain 3 · 10% of the outline

Professional Responsibilities practice questions

A mixed set of 10 original questions from this domain. Tasks covered: Pre-inspection agreement, Integrity & objectivity.

1. A buyer calls the morning of the inspection and has not yet signed the pre-inspection agreement. The best practice is to:

  1. Skip the agreement since the client already paid the fee
  2. Start the inspection and send the agreement after the report
  3. Have the client review and sign before inspecting
  4. Have the buyer's agent sign for the client without asking
Show answer & explanation

Answer: C. Have the client review and sign before inspecting

Agreements should be in place before the work is done.

2. A client asks the inspector to recommend the "cheapest" contractor. The ethical response is:

  1. Suggest qualified trades and getting several bids
  2. Name a contractor who pays the inspector referral fees
  3. Offer to do the repair work personally
  4. Refuse to discuss any repairs at all
Show answer & explanation

Answer: A. Suggest qualified trades and getting several bids

Avoid conflicts while helping.

3. A buyer's agent forwards the inspector's agreement and signs it "for client." The inspector should:

  1. Skip the agreement since the agent signed
  2. Confirm the agent has written authority or have the client sign
  3. Accept it without any question as standard practice everywhere
  4. Have the seller sign it as well for safety
Show answer & explanation

Answer: B. Confirm the agent has written authority or have the client sign

Authority to sign matters.

4. A client asks the inspector to say a home will pass the lender's appraisal. The inspector should:

  1. Contact the appraiser directly
  2. Explain that appraisal value is outside scope
  3. Promise the home will appraise
  4. Estimate the value for the client
Show answer & explanation

Answer: B. Explain that appraisal value is outside scope

Value is not inspection.

5. A clause noting the inspector is not a code inspector clarifies:

  1. Code compliance is not being determined
  2. Permits verified
  3. Code is checked
  4. Repairs guaranteed
Show answer & explanation

Answer: A. Code compliance is not being determined

The correct answer is “Code compliance is not being determined.” Clarify.

6. A client asks the inspector to testify that a defect wasn't visible, but it was visible in the inspector's photos. The inspector should:

  1. Destroy the photos before testifying
  2. Testify the client's preferred version
  3. Refuse to testify under any circumstance
  4. Testify truthfully based on records
Show answer & explanation

Answer: D. Testify truthfully based on records

Honesty in testimony.

7. A clause stating the inspection is "not a code compliance inspection" informs the client that:

  1. Permits were checked and approved
  2. All codes were verified
  3. The inspector is not checking code conformity
  4. The city approved the home
Show answer & explanation

Answer: C. The inspector is not checking code conformity

The correct answer is “The inspector is not checking code conformity.” Clarify scope.

8. A client's family member, not named on the agreement, demands a copy of the report. The inspector should:

  1. Post it to a shared online folder for the family
  2. Send only the summary page
  3. Get the client's consent before sharing
  4. Send it since family is involved
Show answer & explanation

Answer: C. Get the client's consent before sharing

Confidentiality rules apply.

9. A client asks for the agreement in plain language after reading legal terms. The inspector should:

  1. Explain the terms clearly without changing meaning
  2. Rewrite the terms verbally to suit the client
  3. Refuse to explain any part of the agreement
  4. Tell the client the terms don't matter at all in practice
Show answer & explanation

Answer: A. Explain the terms clearly without changing meaning

Explanation supports informed consent.

10. A home warranty company offers the inspector $25 per client who signs up through a link in the report. The ethical issue is:

  1. It is a normal marketing practice that never needs any disclosure to clients
  2. It may create a conflict of interest that should be disclosed or avoided
  3. It improves objectivity of the report
  4. It is required to help clients buy warranties
Show answer & explanation

Answer: B. It may create a conflict of interest that should be disclosed or avoided

Financial incentives tied to clients need careful handling.