60 HOUR CLASSROOM PRE-LICENSURE TRAINING 

(A)   Business Overview/Introduction and Professional Practice.

This training module covers the following areas:

Historical look at the inspection business; the inspection business today; what the future holds. Players in the real estate transaction; buyers, sellers, agents, lenders, title companies; relocation companies and corporate transfers. Customer relations: dispute management, compliance controls.

(B)   Liability and Legal Issues

Liability control: inspection, agreements, report writing. Errors and Omissions Insurance, General Liability/Bodily Injury Insurance, safety. Heavy focus on defect analysis, cause and effect, case law examples and how inspection reports and inspections should have been documented prior to release.

(C)   Inspection Techniques and Methods

This is an introduction to the inspection techniques and methods used by inspectors in the field everyday. This introduction sets the stage for each section of the course hereafter and how inspectors use definitive measuring devices and sensory observations during an inspection to identify risks associated with each home they inspect.

The following is an example of some of the information covered during this module.

Age determinations of home components, systems, mechanical equipment. Red flag issues: high claim concerns, providing estimates of repairs costs. Inspection tips: providing life expectances of home components.

(D)   Measuring Methods and Equipment Overview

During this session students will be presented with the measuring devices and methods used during the home inspection process where they apply to each area of the home inspection profession, whether it is the roofing, exterior, structural, plumbing, insulation or other system/component. This session will go through all tools including moisture measurement devices, infrared diagnostic devices, electrical measurement tools, borescope, etc. This laboratory session will also review the safety requirements utilizing such tools and provide hands-on training in a real-life environment.

(E)   Residential Building in a Humid Climate (Insulation and Ventilation)

This module provides students with an insight to the effects of moisture and humidity on the residential housing stock in the state of Florida and how important these considerations are in the home inspection industry. Introduction to infrared and other diagnostic tools, in addition to defect examples from the field. The goal is to show the effects of moisture from behind the scenes and how to identify the telltale signs upfront and during a home inspection.

(F)   Wind Mitigation, Hurricanes and Structural Considerations

This module reviews the wind mitigation requirements for residential homes and post-hurricane case studies and how wind affects building structures in the state of Florida and what inspectors need to be aware of during their evaluation of structural components of the home. This module will show home inspectors how to identify potential weaknesses in the exterior façade or building structure which will become part of the risk assessment during a home inspection.

This training module covers the following areas:

Good construction methods and types of homes. Foundations, columns, exterior surfaces; sidings, flashings and trim. Basements, crawlspaces, including evaluation of insulation and ventilation. Slab on grade construction and components.

Site evaluation; vegetation, grading and lot drainage. Site improvements: driveways, walkways, patios, steps, porches, decks, stoops & balconies including railings; Wood destroying insects; Requirements to report, methods used to observe under-floor and attic crawl spaces. Report writing methods.

Evaluation and diagnosis of building defects: unstable soils, expansive clays, and settlement, expansion/contraction, retaining walls and lot drainage problems. Floors, walls ceilings and roof structures; doors, windows, eaves and soffits. Functional vs. cosmetic defects, demonstrations and practices, report writing.

(A)   Inspection Methods and Report Writing

A review of inspection methods used for foundations, basements and structural components and interactive report-writing techniques for standard defects.

This module covers the following areas:

Stucco vs. EIFS; brickwork vs. block work; siding composites/wood; Moisture intrusion; caulking & sealants Flashings; grading/French drains. Review of hurricane protection devices. Evaluation and diagnosis of technical defects noted on exterior finishes and surfaces to include moisture damage, installation practices, manufacturing defects, wood boring issues.

(A)   Inspection Methods and Report Writing

A review of inspection methods used for exterior finishes and surfaces and interactive report-writing techniques for standard defects found in the state of Florida.

This module covers the following areas:

Roof structures, styles, shapes and sloped roof covering materials; chimneys, skylights and roof penetrations; requirement to report on the method used to observe the roof covering(s); defect recognition and life expectancies, liability concerns; built-up and flat roof analysis Roof soffits, fascias and ventilation; roof framing, sheathing, insulation and ventilation, signs of leaks/condensation; attic inspection, framing; fire-resistant treated plywood (FRT) sheathing; gable Bracing; wind mitigation components and considerations; diagnosing moisture signs, report writing. Demonstrations and practices throughout the day.

Evaluation and diagnosis of technical defects noted on roof systems to include moisture damage, installation practices, manufacturing defects, aging, etc.

(A)   Inspection Methods and Report Writing

A review of inspection methods used for exterior finishes and surfaces and interactive report-writing techniques for standard defects found in the state of Florida.

This module covers the following areas:

Water supply/wells: interior supply and distribution piping, installation and materials. Fixtures and faucets including functional flow and drainage. Leaks and cross connections. Drain, waste and vent systems including materials, supports, and insulation. Water heaters: types, age, and fuel source, normal operating and safety controls. Chimneys, flues, and vents. Bathrooms/shower pans. Private waste disposal systems. Evaluation and diagnosis of common plumbing defects including installation defects, manufacturer defects, aging defects and the cause and effect of each.

(A)   Inspection Methods and Report Writing

A review of inspection methods used for plumbing systems and interactive report-writing techniques for standard defects found. Laboratory and demonstrations.

Determining amperage and voltage: service entrance conductors and equipment. Main and distribution panels and location: system grounding type and means. Evaluate the type and presence of over current protection devices. Branch wiring evaluation: light fixtures, switches, outlets. Evaluation of conductors: polarity, grounding, GFCI device if present. Aluminum branch circuit wiring, advanced electrical systems. Evaluation and diagnosis of electrical deficiencies for residential construction including installation practices, manufacturing deficiencies, aging characteristics and safety hazards. Report writing, demonstration and applications.

(A)   Inspection Methods and Report Writing

A review of inspection methods used for plumbing systems and interactive report-writing techniques for standard defects found. Laboratory and demonstrations.

This module covers the following areas:

(A)   Cooling Systems

Analysis of compression cycle: determining age/size/types. Inspecting and testing the air handler and compressor/condenser unit, energy source, heat pumps, life expectancies. Normal operating controls: thermostats. Distribution systems: cooling source in each room. Air-cooled and water circulating systems. Evaluation and diagnosis of electrical deficiencies for residential construction including installation, practices, manufacturing deficiencies, aging characteristics and safety hazards.

Inspection Methods and Report Writing

A review of inspection methods used for cooling systems and interactive report-writing techniques for standard defects found.

(B) Heating Systems

Types of systems: forced air furnaces/heat exchanger problems, hot water/steam systems, electric resistance, heat source in each room, determining age and capacity. Heat distribution systems, fans, pumps, ductwork, and registers. Automatic safety controls and concerns: normal operating controls. Flues, chimneys and vents: solid fuel heating devices including fireplaces. Report writing. Lab demonstrations and practice.

Evaluation and diagnosis of heating deficiencies for residential construction including installation, practices, manufacturing deficiencies, aging characteristics and safety hazards.

Inspection Methods and Report Writing

A review of inspection methods used for heating systems and interactive report-writing techniques for standard defects found.

This module covers the following areas:

Environmental concerns: asbestos, urea formaldehyde. Walls, ceilings and floors including evaluation of fire separation at attached garage/house. Windows and doors, steps, stairs, balconies and railings. Countertops and cabinets. Evaluation and diagnosis of building deficiencies for residential construction including installation, practices, manufacturing deficiencies, aging characteristics and safety hazards.

Inspection Methods and Report Writing

A review of inspection methods used for interior systems and components and interactive report-writing techniques for standard defects found. Laboratory and demonstrations.

This module covers the following areas:

Evaluate built-in kitchen appliances, sprinkler systems, garage doors-openers, safety, etc. Detection of little-known problems. High claim concerns: when you should and should not inspect. Evaluation and diagnosis of deficiencies including installation practices, manufacturing deficiencies, aging characteristics and safety hazards.

Inspection Methods and Report Writing

A review of inspection methods used for systems and appliances and interactive report-writing techniques for standard defects found. Laboratory and demonstrations.