California Home Inspection Certification Courses

Home Inspection Master Curriculum ( 120 Hours )

This all-encompassing curriculum provides you with the knowledge base you need to successfully begin your Home Inspection career. Included in this curriculum are the following technical modules: Interiors, Exteriors, Electrical, Insulation & Ventilation, Structural, Plumbing, Roofing Systems, HVAC, and Garages. This curriculum also includes a module on business practices in the Home Inspection industry. Includes module exams to test your knowledge. This course is approved by the California Real Estate Inspection Association, American Society of Home Inspectors and the National Association of Home Inspectors.

Home Inspection Fast Track Curriculum ( 60 Hours )

Included in this curriculum are the following technical modules: Interiors, Exteriors, Electrical, Insulation & Ventilation, Structural, Plumbing, Roofing Systems, HVAC, and Garages. This curriculum also includes a module on business practices in the Home Inspection industry. Includes module exams to test your knowledge. This course is designed for individuals with experience in a construction related field.This course is approved by the California Real Estate Inspection Association, American Society of Home Inspectors and the National Association of Home Inspectors.

California Home Inspection Continuing Education Courses

HVAC ( 32 Hours )

This course teaches you the requirements of HVAC inspection. Learn the fundamentals of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and materials typically encountered during mechanical inspections. You will gain a solid understanding of cooling and ventilation, sources of heat, energy supplies, heat loss and gain, air movement, conventional installation methods, space heaters, introduction to electric heating, safety issues and more. Includes end of module quiz.

Plumbing ( 21 Hours )

This course provides you with a sound introduction to the components, materials and mechanics of plumbing systems. Learn the basics of supply, drain, waste and vent piping, fixtures and materials. Topics include proper installation practices, inspection methods and strategies, history of indoor plumbing, sources of potable water, heating, cross-connection control, and typical conditions found. Includes end of module quiz.

Roofing Systems ( 21 Hours )

Learn the fundamental components, materials and mechanics involved in roofing and exterior system inspections. This course covers nomenclature, materials, installation methods, proper reporting to clients and other parties, history of residential roofing, known defective materials, typical maintenance needs, roofing components and more. Includes end of module quiz.

Structural Components ( 15 Hours )

This course teaches you the aspects of structural components involved in a home inspection. Learn the fundamentals of foundations and drainage, soil concepts, repairs, floor structures, and masonary walls typically encountered during structural inspections. You will gain a solid understanding of foundation materials, floor system components, foundation movement, wood framed walls, and more. Includes end of module quiz.

Electrical ( 10 Hours )

Performing electrical inspections requires a general working knowledge of the fundamentals of wiring, voltage, current and materials typically encountered. In this course, you will learn the tools and methods required and grasp the ramifications and magnitude of conditions found during the inspection. Topics include overview of electricity, service equipment and grounding, resistance, wiring methods, devices and lighting fixtures. Includes end of module quiz.

Exteriors ( 10 Hours )

This course teaches you the requirements of an exterior inspection. You will gain a solid understanding of lots, landscape, retaining walls, exterior siding, exterior doors, driveways, patios, windows, and more. This course also teaches about the common problems, defects, and installation process involved in an exterior inspection. Includes end of module quiz.

Interiors ( 10 Hours )

This course teaches you the requirements of an interior inspection. You will gain a solid understanding of drywalls, ceilings, flooring, interior doors, stairs, cabinets, countertops, appliances, basements, and more. This course also teaches about the common problems, defects, and installation process involved in an interior inspection. Includes end of module quiz.

Insulation and Ventilation ( 8 Hours )

This course teaches you the requirements of insulation and ventilation. Learn the fundamentals of heat, heat transfer, types of insulation, moisture movement, and more. You will gain a solid understanding of the types insulation materials, the types of ventilation systems, and more. Includes end of module quiz.

Home Inspection Business Practices ( 6 Hours )

This course teaches what a home inspection is and the purpose behind it. You will learn the common safety hazards, functional defects, and cosmetic issues associated with a home inspection. Report writing and legal issues will also be covered in this course. Includes end of module quiz.

ASHI Standards of Practice ( 1 Hours )

The purpose of this course is to establish a minimum and uniform standard for private, fee-paid home inspectors who are members of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHITM). Home Inspections performed to these Standards of Practice are intended to provide the client with information regarding the condition of the systems and components of the home as inspected at the time of the home inspection. Includes end of module quiz.

Garages ( 1 Hours )

This course provides you with a sound introduction to garages. Learn the basics of attached garages and detached garages. This course also describes the standards for fire walls and fire doors in attached garages. Learn the common problems and defects of garage doors and automatic garage door openers. Includes end of module quiz.

NAHI Standards of Practice ( 1 Hours )

The purpose of this course is to provide the minimum standards of performance for a written report on a residential home inspection performed according the National Association of Home Inspectors, Inc. (NAHITM). The standards define and clarify the purpose, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and certain terms relating to an inspection. The standards also describe those items, components, and systems included in the scope of an inspection. Includes end of module quiz.

California Home Inspection State Requirements

California does not currently have a licensing/certification/registration process for Home Inspectors. The California BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE SECTION 7195-7199 prohibits unethical home inspection practices, including repairing properties that home inspectors have inspected in the previous 12 months. The law encourages courts to consider the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics of ASHI and the California Real Estate Inspection Association (CREIA) http://www.creia.org/index.htm when determining whether an inspection meets the required standard of care.

 

CREIA is a voluntary, nonprofit public-benefit organization of real estate inspectors. CREIA provides education, training and support services to its members and the real estate community. CREIA's Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice are recognized by the California Business and Professions Codes and are considered the standard of care by the real estate industry and legal profession in the state. CREIA Inspector Members have successfully passed a comprehensive written examination on the myriad of systems and components in the construction and maintenance of residential dwellings. CREIA's educational mission is to expand the technical knowledge of its members through continuing education. Inspector members must complete a minimum 30 hours of continuing education annually.

CREIA MEMBERSHIP REQUIRMENTS:

• You must submit the CREIA application and associated dues
• You must be a candidate of CREIA.
• You must secure/document 30 continuing education credit (CEC) hours relating to real estate inspection.
• You must attend two meetings of your local CREIA chapter.
• You must submit, in writing on your inspection company letterhead, a listing of 50 fee-paid inspections that you have performed. Listing must include address of property inspected and the date (month/year) of the inspection. Please note: Your submitted listing may be subject to review and audit.
• You must successfully pass the CREIA membership exam. You must successfully pass the CREIA Code of Ethics Exam Questions (included in the CREIA membership exam). ALL CREIA Candidate Members are expected to upgrade their membership to CERTIFIED CREIA INSPECTOR (CCI) member status within 12 months of joining the association. The CCI exam is a two (2) hour, 100 multiple-choice question exam testing basic inspection industry knowledge. The CREIA Membership exam is designed to test basic knowledge of construction, identification of building components, and how building systems work.

ASHI® Membership Categories and Requirements:

Candidates and Members of ASHI® are required to abide by the Society's Code of Ethics, which specifically forbids home inspectors from active brokerage or sale of real estate, or performing repairs on homes, which they inspect. ASHI Candidates and Members also agree to perform and report inspections in accordance with the ASHI Standards of Practice. Besides the ASHI logo is widely regarded as the mark of a professional home inspector, its use by the ASHI membership is also carefully controlled.

There are three designations of active home inspector membership in ASHI®:

Members (M): Members of ASHI® msut meet the follwoing current requirements:

• Passed the National Home Inspector Examination and ASHI's Standards and Ethics Examination.
• Had inspection reports successfully verified for compliance with ASHI's Standards of Practice.
• Submitted valid proof of performance of at least 250 fee-paid home inspections that meet or exceed the ASHI Standards of Practice.

Candidates w/ Logo (CL): Candidates with Logo Use Privilege will have met most of the requirements for Member status and must meet the following additional requirements:

• They have passed the National Home Inspector Examination and ASHI's Standards and Ethics Examination.
• ASHI has verified performance of 50 fee-paid inspections in substantial compliance with the Standards of Practice.

Candidates (CN): Candidates have not yet met the ASHI Member requirements, however:
Current requirements are:

• Candidates may be highly experienced inspectors who have just joined ASHI, or they may be novice inspectors who have completed training or otherwise entered the profession.