Free North Carolina Inspector Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the North Carolina Inspector Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1What is the defining purpose of a lead-based paint inspection?

   1. A. To choose hazard-control options
   2. B. To investigate surfaces for lead-based paint and report the results
   3. C. To supervise an abatement crew
   4. D. To determine a child's blood lead level

   Answer: B

   Explanation: An inspection is a surface-by-surface investigation for lead-based paint followed by a report. The rule defines it as a "surface-by-surface investigation to determine the presence of lead-based paint."

   Reference: 40 CFR 745 223 — § 745.223, definition of Inspection

2. 2How can lead enter the body during lead-based paint activities?

   1. A. Only through skin contact
   2. B. By swallowing or breathing lead
   3. C. Only through drinking water
   4. D. Only through an open wound

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Lead exposure is not limited to ingestion. EPA describes lead as "harmful if inhaled or swallowed."

   Reference: Learn About Lead | US EPA — Health Effects of Lead Exposure

3. 3Which set of elements defines adequate quality control for environmental lead samples?

   1. A. Authenticity, integrity, accuracy, and representative sampling
   2. B. Laboratory name, address, telephone number, and recognition number
   3. C. Inspection date, building address, construction date, and apartment number
   4. D. Testing method, device serial number, component location, and reported unit

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Quality control protects the evidentiary value and selection of samples. The definition includes "authenticity, integrity, and accuracy of samples" together with provisions for representative sampling; the other options are separate report-information sets.

   Reference: 40 CFR 745 223 — § 745.223, definition of Adequate quality control

4. 4At what area concentration is paint classified as lead-based paint under the federal standard?

   1. A. At or above 0.1 milligram per square centimeter
   2. B. At or above 1.0 milligram per square centimeter
   3. C. Above 5.0 milligrams per square centimeter
   4. D. Any detectable amount

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The area-based threshold is 1.0 mg/cm². Section 745.227 identifies paint containing lead "equal to or in excess of 1.0 milligrams per square centimeter."

   Reference: 40 CFR 745 227 — 40 CFR 745.227(h)(1)(i)

5. 5Which task is outside an inspector's inspection function and reserved to a risk assessment?

   1. A. Reporting which tested surfaces contain lead-based paint
   2. B. Testing components with distinct painting histories
   3. C. Developing options for reducing identified lead-based paint hazards
   4. D. Recording the XRF device serial number

   Answer: C

   Explanation: A risk assessment includes options for reducing hazards, while an inspection determines paint presence. The definition requires a risk-assessment report to explain "options for reducing lead-based paint hazards."

   Reference: 40 CFR 745 223 — § 745.223, definitions of Inspection and Risk assessment

6. 6Which pair does EPA identify as especially vulnerable to harmful lead exposure?

   1. A. Older adults and maintenance workers
   2. B. Professional painters and laboratory analysts
   3. C. Young children and pregnant women
   4. D. Property owners and housing managers

   Answer: C

   Explanation: EPA identifies both groups as particularly vulnerable. Its overview says lead is especially harmful to "young children and pregnant women." The other choices are groups that may encounter lead but are not the specifically identified vulnerable pair.

   Reference: Learn About Lead | US EPA — Health Effects of Lead Exposure

7. 7At the start of an inspection, how should painted components be organized for testing?

   1. A. By testing combination of room equivalent, component, and substrate
   2. B. Only by paint color
   3. C. Only by floor number
   4. D. By the order in which occupants identify them

   Answer: A

   Explanation: A testing combination joins location, component, and substrate for a common painting history. HUD instructs inspectors to "Identify all testing combinations in each room equivalent."

   Reference: Hud Guidelines Chapter 7 — Chapter 7, Step 2, pages 7-19 to 7-20

8. 8At what weight concentration does paint meet the federal lead-based paint definition?

   1. A. More than 0.5 percent by weight
   2. B. More than 5 percent by weight
   3. C. Exactly 0.05 percent by weight
   4. D. Any laboratory detection

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The weight-based definition uses a one-half-percent threshold. Section 745.223 defines lead-based paint as containing "more than 0.5 percent by weight."

   Reference: 40 CFR 745 223 — § 745.223, definition of Lead-based paint

9. 9Who may perform lead-based paint inspections in North Carolina under the state certification law?

   1. A. Any licensed general contractor
   2. B. Only a certified supervisor
   3. C. Any employee of a certified firm
   4. D. A person certified as an inspector or risk assessor

   Answer: D

   Explanation: North Carolina authorizes inspection work through the inspector and risk-assessor categories. The statute states, "The category of risk-assessor includes the category of inspector."

   Reference: G.S. 130A-453.03 — § 130A-453.03(a)

10. 10What is the accepted safe blood lead level for children?

    1. A. No safe blood lead level has been identified
    2. B. 3.5 micrograms per deciliter
    3. C. 5 micrograms per deciliter
    4. D. 10 micrograms per deciliter

    Answer: A

    Explanation: A reference value is not a safe threshold. EPA states that there is "no safe level of lead in children that has been identified."

    Reference: Learn About Lead | US EPA — Who Is at Risk? What Are the Health Effects of Lead?