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Continuing Education
Coming Soon
CE Home Inspection Standards
The course teaches licensed home inspectors the ASHI Standards of Practice and how to evaluate structural, roofing, plumbing, and electrical systems, enabling systematic defect identification, safety hazard recognition, and compliant reporting.
Who Should Take This
It is designed for active, licensed home inspectors with at least two years of field experience who need to refresh and deepen their knowledge of inspection standards, improve defect detection across major building systems, and ensure their reports meet industry compliance requirements.
What's Included in AccelaStudy® AI
Adaptive Knowledge Graph
Practice Questions
Lesson Modules
Console Simulator Labs
Exam Tips & Strategy
20 Activity Formats
Course Outline
64 learning goals
1
ASHI Standards of Practice
2 topics
Scope and limitations
- Identify the systems and components included in a standard home inspection under ASHI Standards of Practice.
- Describe the limitations of a standard home inspection including the visual-only nature, inaccessible areas, and components excluded from inspection.
- Explain the distinction between home inspection and code compliance inspection including the inspector's obligation to report visible hazards without rendering code opinions.
- Analyze inspection scenarios to determine whether observed conditions fall within or outside the scope of a standard home inspection.
Inspector obligations and ethics
- Identify the ethical obligations of home inspectors including objectivity, conflicts of interest, referral prohibitions, and continuing education requirements.
- Describe the pre-inspection agreement requirements including scope of work, limitations, liability provisions, and client acknowledgment.
- Analyze ethical dilemmas in home inspection practice including conflicts arising from referral relationships, repeat client pressure, and scope expansion requests.
2
Structural Systems
1 topic
Foundation and framing inspection
- Identify foundation types including poured concrete, concrete block, pier and beam, slab-on-grade, and their common defect patterns.
- Describe common foundation defects including settlement cracks, lateral displacement, water intrusion, and deterioration indicators requiring further evaluation.
- Explain floor, wall, and ceiling framing inspection procedures including identification of sagging, racking, insect damage, and moisture-related deterioration.
- Analyze structural observations to distinguish between cosmetic conditions, maintenance items, and significant structural defects requiring specialist evaluation.
- Synthesize inspection findings for structural systems into clear report language that communicates severity, urgency, and recommended follow-up actions.
3
Roofing Systems
1 topic
Roof covering and drainage
- Identify roofing material types including asphalt shingles, wood shakes, metal, tile, slate, and flat roof membranes with typical service life expectations.
- Describe common roofing defects including missing shingles, improper flashing, ponding water, granule loss, and evidence of prior repairs or layering.
- Explain roof drainage system inspection including gutters, downspouts, scuppers, and the effect of inadequate drainage on foundation and structural systems.
- Analyze roof conditions to estimate remaining service life, identify safety concerns, and determine whether roof replacement or repair is likely needed.
- Synthesize roof inspection findings into a condition assessment addressing material condition, flashing integrity, drainage adequacy, and estimated remaining service life.
4
Plumbing Systems
1 topic
Supply, drain, and water heating
- Identify plumbing supply pipe materials including copper, PEX, CPVC, and galvanized steel with their common defect patterns and service life expectations.
- Describe drain, waste, and vent system inspection procedures including material identification, functional flow testing, and visible defect recognition.
- Explain water heater inspection procedures including capacity assessment, temperature and pressure relief valve verification, venting requirements, and safety concerns.
- Analyze plumbing system observations to identify material deficiencies, cross-connection hazards, inadequate venting, and conditions requiring licensed plumber evaluation.
- Identify fuel storage and distribution system inspection requirements including visible fuel lines, storage tank indicators, and safety device verification.
5
Electrical Systems
1 topic
Service and distribution inspection
- Identify electrical service entrance components including service drop or lateral, meter base, main disconnect, service panel, and grounding system.
- Describe electrical panel inspection procedures including breaker identification, wire sizing, double-tapping, aluminum wiring concerns, and Federal Pacific panel issues.
- Explain GFCI and AFCI protection requirements including required locations, testing procedures, and the safety improvements provided by each protection type.
- Analyze electrical system observations to identify safety hazards including improper grounding, overloaded circuits, exposed wiring, and missing protection devices.
- Synthesize electrical inspection findings into clear recommendations distinguishing between safety hazards requiring immediate attention and improvement suggestions.
6
HVAC Systems
1 topic
Heating and cooling equipment
- Identify heating system types including forced air furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, electric baseboard, and radiant systems with their inspection requirements.
- Describe cooling system inspection procedures including compressor unit assessment, refrigerant line condition, condenser and evaporator coil access, and temperature differential testing.
- Explain ductwork inspection including material types, connection integrity, insulation, dampers, and the impact of duct condition on system efficiency and air quality.
- Analyze HVAC system age, condition, and performance observations to assess remaining service life and identify safety concerns including carbon monoxide risks.
- Synthesize HVAC system findings into recommendations addressing equipment condition, efficiency concerns, safety issues, and anticipated replacement timelines.
7
Insulation and Ventilation
1 topic
Thermal and moisture management
- Identify insulation types including fiberglass batts, blown cellulose, spray foam, rigid foam, and vermiculite with their R-value ranges and installation considerations.
- Describe attic ventilation assessment including intake and exhaust requirements, ventilation ratios, and the consequences of inadequate ventilation on moisture and temperature.
- Explain vapor barrier function and installation assessment including proper placement, material types, and the relationship between vapor barriers and moisture management.
- Analyze insulation and ventilation observations to identify energy efficiency concerns, moisture management issues, and conditions contributing to condensation or ice damming.
8
Interior and Exterior Components
2 topics
Interior systems and finishes
- Identify interior inspection components including walls, ceilings, floors, stairs, railings, countertops, cabinets, windows, and doors.
- Describe window and door inspection procedures including operation testing, weather stripping assessment, glazing condition, and safety glass identification.
- Explain stairway and railing inspection requirements including riser height, tread depth, handrail graspability, baluster spacing, and guard height requirements.
Exterior systems and site conditions
- Identify exterior inspection components including siding, trim, exterior doors, windows, porches, decks, balconies, and attached structures.
- Describe site drainage assessment including grading evaluation, surface water management, foundation drainage, and the impact of improper drainage on structural systems.
- Analyze exterior conditions including siding damage, trim deterioration, deck structural integrity, and site drainage deficiencies affecting property habitability.
9
Report Writing
1 topic
Report standards and best practices
- Identify the required elements of a home inspection report including property identification, systems inspected, findings, limitations, and inspector information.
- Describe effective defect reporting including factual observations, location specificity, photographic documentation, and avoidance of subjective language.
- Explain the categorization of inspection findings including safety hazards, significant defects, maintenance items, and informational observations.
- Analyze inspection report language to identify potential liability issues including implied warranties, scope overreach, and inadequate limitation disclosures.
- Design a report template that communicates inspection findings clearly while maintaining proper scope limitations and liability protections.
10
Environmental Awareness
1 topic
Hazardous material recognition
- Identify common environmental hazards encountered during home inspections including radon, mold, asbestos, lead paint, and underground storage tanks.
- Describe radon awareness including entry pathways, health risks, testing methods, mitigation system recognition, and appropriate referral recommendations.
- Explain mold recognition including moisture conditions promoting growth, visible mold identification, appropriate inspector response, and testing referral protocols.
- Describe asbestos-containing material recognition including common building products, visual identification limitations, and sampling and testing referral procedures.
- Analyze property conditions to identify potential environmental concerns requiring disclosure, further investigation, or specialist referral beyond the scope of standard inspection.
11
Garage and Carport Inspection
1 topic
Garage systems and safety
- Identify garage inspection components including vehicle doors, automatic openers, safety reversing devices, fire separation, and floor/foundation conditions.
- Describe garage door opener safety testing procedures including auto-reverse testing, photo-eye alignment verification, and manual release operation.
- Explain fire separation requirements between garages and living spaces including wall and ceiling material, door fire rating, and penetration sealing.
- Analyze garage conditions to identify safety deficiencies including missing fire separation, inoperative safety devices, and structural concerns.
12
Fireplace and Chimney Inspection
1 topic
Fireplace and chimney systems
- Identify fireplace types including masonry, factory-built, gas log, and pellet stove installations with their respective inspection procedures.
- Describe chimney inspection procedures including exterior condition, flue liner visibility, cap and crown assessment, and clearance to combustibles.
- Explain the distinction between Level I, Level II, and Level III chimney inspections and the circumstances requiring each level of assessment.
- Analyze fireplace and chimney observations to identify safety hazards including creosote buildup indicators, clearance violations, and deteriorated components.
13
Ancillary Systems
1 topic
Additional inspectable systems
- Identify built-in kitchen appliance inspection requirements including dishwashers, ranges, ovens, microwaves, and garbage disposals.
- Describe laundry area inspection including dryer venting material, connection, exhaust termination, and washing machine supply valve accessibility.
- Explain bathroom ventilation inspection including exhaust fan operation, duct routing, exterior termination, and moisture damage indicators.
- Synthesize a comprehensive inspection protocol addressing all ancillary systems including appliances, ventilation, and specialty items within the scope of inspection.
Scope
Included Topics
- ASHI Standards of Practice including scope of inspection, systems and components requiring inspection, limitations, and reporting requirements.
- Structural systems inspection including foundations, floors, walls, columns, ceilings, and roof structures with identification of common defects and safety concerns.
- Roofing systems inspection including covering materials, drainage systems, flashings, skylights, chimneys, and roof penetrations with defect identification.
- Plumbing systems inspection including supply, distribution, drain/waste/vent systems, water heating equipment, fuel storage, and fixture operation.
- Electrical systems inspection including service entrance, panels, branch circuits, connected devices, grounding, GFCI/AFCI protection, and safety hazards.
- HVAC systems inspection including heating equipment, cooling equipment, duct systems, distribution, controls, and energy efficiency considerations.
- Insulation and ventilation assessment including attic insulation, vapor barriers, ventilation adequacy, and energy efficiency observations.
- Interior and exterior component inspection including walls, ceilings, floors, stairs, windows, doors, siding, trim, and site drainage.
- Report writing standards including factual observations, defect descriptions, safety concerns, maintenance recommendations, and limitation disclosures.
- Environmental awareness including radon testing awareness, mold recognition, asbestos-containing materials, lead paint, and underground storage tanks.
Not Covered
- Detailed structural engineering calculations, load analysis, or design beyond visual identification of structural concerns.
- Invasive or destructive testing procedures, laboratory analysis, or specialized testing beyond standard home inspection practices.
- Code compliance inspection or enforcement beyond identification of visible safety hazards and apparent code violations.
- Environmental testing, remediation design, or abatement procedures beyond awareness-level recognition of environmental hazards.
- Property valuation, appraisal methodology, or real estate transaction advisory services beyond inspection scope communication.
CE Home Inspection Standards is coming soon
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