Job Task Analysis (JTA), Knowledge, and Skills of the Certified Professional Home Inspector
InterNACHI's Home Inspector Job Task Analysis is intended to list all of the tasks a home inspector who holds the Certified Professional Inspector CPI® credential and designation may perform and the knowledge and skills required to do these tasks. InterNACHI's Home Inspector Job Task Analysis (JTA) catalogs the key tasks an inspector performs to complete a given job and the knowledge and skills the inspector should possess to perform those tasks adequately. Knowledge is the practical understanding of a subject. A skill combines ability with acquired knowledge that allows an individual to complete a task to a high standard. Skills are learned and are aimed at achieving a goal.
Foundation of a Program
A job task analysis is a foundation for a valid credentialing program. It helps identify the core knowledge areas, critical work functions, and skills typically found across a representative sampling of current practitioners or job incumbent workers. Empirical results from a job analysis provide examinees and the public with a valid, reliable, fair, and realistic assessment that reflects the knowledge and skills required to perform a job competently.
Development of the JTA
In 2024, InterNACHI's Senior Psychometrician began the process of developing a psychometrically sound exam. InterNACHI® School implements effective written policies to continuously monitor and improve the examination. The policies include both soliciting and utilizing feedback from relevant constituencies (e.g. instructors, students, graduates, employers, and certification boards) and analyzing student outcomes, including student pass/fail rates. The policies focus on a comprehensive review of the exam according to national standards.
InterNACHI® School and JTA
The InterNACHI® School is the only tuition-free home inspector school accredited as a post-secondary education institution by a national accrediting agency of the U.S. Department of Education. View Accreditation.
The InterNACHI® School uses the JTA to develop and administrate curricula and course content for training and assessments. This analysis is also fundamental to the development, structure, and administration of the Home Inspector Certificate Program and the Home Inspector Exam.
InterNACHI® School uses the term "goal" is a broad definition of competence. We use "objective" to describe in general terms what a graduate will be able to do, and they are more broad than measurable performance outcomes. We define "measurable performance outcomes" as a detailed list of the knowledge and skills a student will attain.
For every InterNACHI® School course description page (syllabus), the knowledge and skills are listed under "You will learn the following." The knowledge and skills are mapped directly back to the InterNACHI Home Inspector Job Task Analysis (JTA), which lists all of the tasks an inspector may perform, as well as the knowledge and skills required to do these tasks.
DEFINITIONS
A home inspector is a certified professional who will:
- Inspect readily accessible installed systems and components listed in the Home Inspection Standards of Practice using normal operating controls or procedures, and
- Describe in written format the observed indications of material defects within the inspected systems and components that were both observed and deemed material by the inspector.
Inspect means to observe, look at, visually recognize, name, locate, and examine with eyes.
Describe means to communicate with words in written format.
A material defect is a condition of a system or component of a residential property that may have a significant, adverse impact on the value of the property or that poses an unreasonable risk to people.
A defect (defective, defective condition) refers to an inspected system or component that, based on the inspector’s opinion, was not operating as intended, designed, or built. It may be materially defective, a safety hazard, or at the end of its expected service life. A qualified person must correct a defect.
Although a home inspection is a visual-only process, the inspection may include the use of normal operating controls and procedures. For example, the home inspector may use the normal operating control for a furnace, which is the thermostat. The home inspector may use the normal operating procedure for a window, which is to open and close it.
Operating means a component or system that, in the inspector’s opinion, is functioning (turning on, working, running) as intended, designed, or built without observed indications of failure or defective conditions that would prevent its normal use and performance.
Readily accessible means within reach and available for visual inspection without requiring moving personal property, dismantling, destructive measures, or any action involving risk to persons or property.
Readily visible or visible means to be observed using natural light or a flashlight.
JOB DESCRIPTION
A home inspector is a certified professional who will:
- Inspect readily accessible installed systems and components listed in the Home Inspection Standards of Practice using normal operating controls or procedures, and
- Describe in written format the observed indications of material defects within the inspected systems and components that were both observed and deemed material by the inspector.
DOMAINS AND TASKS
DOMAIN 1: EXTERIOR
ROOF
- Task 1: Inspect and describe the roof-covering materials.
- Task 2: Inspect and describe the gutters.
- Task 3: Inspect and describe the downspouts.
- Task 4: Inspect and describe the vents.
- Task 5: Inspect and describe the flashing.
- Task 6: Inspect and describe the skylights.
- Task 7: Inspect and describe the chimney.
- Task 8: Inspect and describe the other roof penetrations.
- Task 9: Inspect and describe the general structure of the roof from the readily accessible panels, doors, and stairs.
- Knowledge required: How each of the previously listed systems and components is properly installed and function as intended, designed, or built.
- Skill required: To describe indications of defects within each of the previously listed systems and components that would prevent their normal use and performance.
EXTERIOR
- Task 1: Inspect and describe the exterior wall-covering materials.
- Task 2: Inspect and describe the eaves, soffits, and fascia.
- Task 3: Inspect and describe a representative number of windows.
- Task 4: Inspect and describe all exterior doors.
- Task 5: Inspect and describe the flashing and trim.
- Task 6: Inspect and describe the adjacent walkways and driveways.
- Task 7: Inspect and describe the stairs, steps, stoops, stairways, and ramps.
- Task 8: Inspect and describe the porches, patios, decks, balconies, and carports.
- Task 9: Inspect and describe the railings, guards, and handrails.
- Task 10: Inspect and describe the vegetation, surface drainage, retaining walls, and grading of the property, where they may adversely affect the structure due to moisture intrusion.
- Knowledge required: How each of the previously listed systems and components is properly installed and function as intended, designed, or built.
- Skill required: To describe indications of defects within each of the previously listed systems and components that would prevent their normal use and performance.
DOMAIN 2: STRUCTURE
BASEMENT, FOUNDATION, CRAWLSPACE, AND STRUCTURE
- Task 1: Inspect and describe the foundation.
- Task 2: Inspect and describe the basement.
- Task 3: Inspect and describe the crawlspace.
- Task 4: Inspect and describe the structural components.
- Task 5: Inspect and describe the type of foundation.
- Knowledge required: How each of the previously listed systems and components is properly installed and function as intended, designed, or built.
- Skill required: To describe indications of defects within each of the previously listed systems and components that would prevent their normal use and performance.
ATTIC, INSULATION, AND VENTILATION
- Task 1: Inspect and describe the insulation in unfinished spaces, including attics, crawlspaces, and foundation areas.
- Task 2: Inspect and describe the ventilation of unfinished spaces, including attics, crawlspaces, and foundation areas.
- Task 3: Inspect and describe the mechanical exhaust systems in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry areas.
- Knowledge required: How each of the previously listed systems and components is properly installed and function as intended, designed, or built.
- Skill required: To describe indications of defects within each of the previously listed systems and components that would prevent their normal use and performance.
DOMAIN 3: MECHANICAL
HEATING
- Task 1: Inspect and describe the heating system using normal operating controls.
- Knowledge required: How the previously listed system is properly installed and functions as intended, designed, or built.
- Skill required: To describe indications of defects within the previously listed system that would prevent its normal use and performance.
COOLING
- Task 1: Inspect and describe the cooling system using normal operating controls.
- Knowledge required: How the previously listed system is properly installed and functions as intended, designed, or built.
- Skill required: To describe indications of defects within the previously listed system that would prevent its normal use and performance.
FIREPLACE
- Task 1: Inspect and describe the readily accessible and observable portions of the fireplaces and chimneys.
- Task 2: Inspect and describe the lintels above the fireplace openings.
- Task 3: Inspect and describe the damper doors by opening and closing them, if readily accessible and manually operable.
- Task 4: Inspect and describe the cleanout doors and frames.
- Knowledge required: How each of the previously listed systems and components is properly installed and function as intended, designed, or built.
- Skill required: To describe indications of defects within each of the previously listed systems and components that would prevent their normal use and performance.
DOMAIN 4: PLUMBING
PLUMBING
- Task 1: Inspect and describe the main water supply shut-off valve.
- Task 2: Inspect and describe the main fuel supply shut-off valve.
- Task 3: Inspect and describe the water heating equipment, including energy source, venting connections, TPR valves, Watts 210 valves, and seismic bracing.
- Task 4: Inspect and describe the interior water supply, including all fixtures and faucets, by running the water.
- Task 5: Inspect and describe all toilets for proper operation by flushing.
- Task 6: Inspect and describe all sinks, tubs, and showers for functional drainage.
- Task 7: Inspect and describe the drain, waste, and vent system.
- Task 8: Inspect and describe the drainage sump pumps with accessible floats.
- Knowledge required: How each of the previously listed systems and components is properly installed and function as intended, designed, or built.
- Skill required: To describe indications of defects within each of the previously listed systems and components that would prevent their normal use and performance.
DOMAIN 5: ELECTRICAL
ELECTRICAL
- Task 1: Inspect and describe the service drop.
- Task 2: Inspect and describe the overhead service conductors and attachment point.
- Task 3: Inspect and describe the service head, gooseneck, and drip loops.
- Task 4: Inspect and describe the service mast, service conduit, and raceway.
- Task 5: Inspect and describe the electric meter and base.
- Task 6: Inspect and describe the service-entrance conductors.
- Task 7: Inspect and describe the main service disconnect.
- Task 8: Inspect and describe the panelboards and over-current protection devices.
- Task 9: Inspect and describe the service grounding and bonding.
- Task 10: Inspect and describe a representative number of switches, lighting fixtures, and receptacles.
- Task 11: Inspect and describe a representative number of receptacles observed and deemed to be arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI)-protected.
- Task 12: Inspect and describe all ground-fault circuit interrupter receptacles and circuit breakers observed and deemed to be GFCIs.
- Task 13: Inspect and describe the presence of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Task 14: Inspect and describe the main service disconnect's amperage rating, if labeled.
- Task 15: Inspect and describe the type of wiring observed.
- Task 16: Inspect and describe the integrity of the service-entrance conductors’ insulation.
- Task 17: Inspect and describe the integrity of the service-entrance conductors’ drip loop.
- Task 18: Inspect and describe the service-entrance conductors’ vertical clearances from grade and roofs.
- Task 19: Inspect and describe any unused circuit-breaker panel opening that was not filled.
- Task 20: Inspect and describe the presence of solid conductor aluminum branch-circuit wiring, if readily observable.
- Task 21: Inspect and describe an inspected receptacle in which power was not present.
- Task 22: Inspect and describe an inspected receptacle where the polarity was incorrect.
- Task 23: Inspect and describe an inspected receptacle where the cover was not in place.
- Task 24: Inspect and describe an inspected GFCI device that was not properly installed or did not operate properly.
- Task 25: Inspect and describe an inspected receptacle with evidence of arcing or excessive heat.
- Task 26: Inspect and describe an inspected receptacle that was not grounded.
- Task 27: Inspect and describe an inspected receptacle that was not secured to the wall.
- Task 28: Inspect and describe an absence of smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors.
- Knowledge required: How each of the previously listed systems and components is properly installed and function as intended, designed, or built.
- Skill required: To describe indications of defects within each of the previously listed systems and components that would prevent their normal use and performance.
DOMAIN 6: DOORS, WINDOWS, AND INTERIOR
DOORS, WINDOWS, AND INTERIOR
- Task 1: Inspect and describe a representative number of doors and windows by opening and closing them.
- Task 2: Inspect and describe the floors, walls, and ceilings.
- Task 3: Inspect and describe the stairs, steps, landings, stairways, and ramps.
- Task 4: Inspect and describe the railings, guards, and handrails.
- Task 5: Inspect and describe the garage vehicle doors and the operation of garage vehicle door openers using normal operating controls.
- Knowledge required: How each of the previously listed systems and components is properly installed and function as intended, designed, or built.
- Skill required: To describe indications of defects within each of the previously listed systems and components that would prevent their normal use and performance.
