Introduction to Home Inspections Course
Welcome to InterNACHI's free, online "Introduction to Home Inspections Course." This course is for home inspectors, people who want to become home inspectors, and contractors who make home repairs. It is provided by our accredited college at internachi.edu.Goal:
The goal of this course is to teach the student:
- the Home Inspection Standards of Practice;
- how to perform a home inspection;
- how a home works;
- how to find defects that may exist in a house;
- how to fix those defects;
- how to maintain a home; and
- how to save home energy.
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- identify and describe the systems listed in the InterNACHI® Home Inspection Standards of Practice;
- apply standards to inspect the roof; exterior; basement, foundation, crawlspace, and structure; heating and cooling; plumbing; electrical; fireplace; attic, insulation, and ventilation; doors, windows, and interior;
- check for and detect various types of defects observed during an inspection;
- outline steps that keep homes dry, comfortable, and energy-efficient;
- perform an inspection of a system or component of a house; and
- generate a report that describes the observations made during an inspection.
This online course is free to all InterNACHI® members and can be taken repeatedly, without limit.
Course includes:
- 41.0 InterNACHI® CE credit hours;
- 68,917 words in the course;
- 68,917-word course textbook;
- 2.0 hours of instructional video;
- technical illustrations and inspection images;
- inspection and writing assignment;
- research and writing assignment;
- 65 quiz reinforcement study questions in 13 quizzes;
- 60-question final exam (drawn from a larger pool);
- instant grading;
- a downloadable, printable Certificate of Completion.
You will learn the following topics:
- One House Has More Than 10,000 Parts
- The Home Inspector’s Responsibility
- A Homeowner’s Questions
- The Real Estate Agent’s Duty
- Home Inspection Standards of Practice
- HOME MAINTENANCE
- Primary Responsibility
- Stay Safe
- Basic Home Inspection Checklist
- INTERNACHI® HOME INSPECTION STANDARDS OF PRACTICE
- Read the Standards of Practice
- Visual Inspection
- Future Events
- Not Every Problem
- Material Defect
- The Inspection Report
- ROOF
- Standards of Practice
- Roof Inspections Are Dangerous
- Any Roof Can Leak
- Hail and Wind Damage
- Infrared Thermography
- Sloped Roof-Covering Materials
- Roof Slope
- Underlayment
- Reporting Upon the Roof Covering Materials
- Concrete Roofs
- Wood Shingles and Shakes
- Metal Roofing
- Slate, Clay Tile, and Asbestos Cement
- Low-Slope Roof Coverings
- Gutters and Downspouts
- Ice Dams
- Skylights
- Roof Inspection Checklist
- InterNACHI® Certified Roof Inspector
- Roof Inspection Video
- EXTERIOR & PROPERTY
- Standards of Practice
- Step Back, Then Move Closer
- Foundation Walls and Piers
- Exterior Wall Covering
- Exterior Wooden Components
- Clearance
- Aluminum and Vinyl Siding
- Asbestos Cement Shingles
- Brick or Stone Veneers
- Stucco
- Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS)
- Wall Insulation
- Moisture
- Exterior Doors
- Windows
- Weatherstripping
- Shutters
- Awnings
- Garage Doors
- Decks
- Exterior Water
- GFCI (Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter)
- Masonry and Metal Chimneys
- Pre-Fab Metal Chimney
- Lightning Protection
- Property Surface Drainage
- Protection of Wood Against Decay
- Hillside
- Landscaping
- Puddles
- Downspouts
- Fences
- Paving and Hard Surfaces
- Exterior Steps
- Retaining Walls
- Buried Oil Tanks
- Other Structures
- Yards and Courts
- Flood Zones
- Steep Slope Grading
- Wind
- Lead
- Wildfires
- Accessibility
- Homeowner Associations (HOA)
- Exterior Inspection Checklist
- InterNACHI® Certified Exterior Inspector
- Exterior Inspection Video
- BASEMENT, FOUNDATION, CRAWLSPACE, AND STRUCTURE
- Standards of Practice
- The Most Revealing Area
- Major Defects
- Assessing Structural Capacity
- Seismic Resistance
- Wind Resistance
- Masonry
- Masonry Foundation and Piers
- Masonry Piers
- Concrete Cracking
- Soil
- Above-Ground Masonry Walls
- Cracking of Masonry Over Openings
- Cracking Due to Ties
- Bulging & Leaning of Walls
- Brick Veneer Walls
- Problems Associated with Parapet Walls
- Chimneys
- Wood Structural Components
- Deflection, Warping, and Associated Problems
- Party Walls
- Spreading and Tying
- Deflection
- Fungal and Insect Attack
- Subterranean Termites
- Cutting, Drilling, and Notching in Sawn Lumber
- Iron and Steel Structural Components
- Concrete Structural Components
- Basement, Foundation, Crawlspaces, and Structure Inspection Checklist
- InterNACHI® Certified Structure & Foundation Inspector
- Foundation Inspection Video
- HEATING
- Standards of Practice
- HVAC Systems
- Energy Source
- Warm-Air Heating Furnace
- Forced Warm-Air Heating
- Circulation Blower Fan
- Heat Exchanger
- Distribution System
- Air Filters
- Humidifiers
- Ducts
- Furnace Categories
- Thermostatic Controls
- Gas Meter
- Gas Piping
- Galvanized Steel
- CSST
- Appliance Fuel Connectors
- Gas Leak
- Drip Leg
- Gas Shutoff Valve
- Service Shutoff Switch
- Emergency Shutoff Switch
- Forced Hot-Water or Hydronic System
- Boilers
- Expansion Tank
- Circulating Pump and Controls
- Distribution Piping
- Steam-Heating System
- Steam Boiler Controls
- Steam-distribution Pipes
- Electric-Resistance Heater
- Electric Wall Heaters
- Heat Pump Systems
- Heating System Defects
- Heating Inspection Video
- Gas Furnace Inspection Checklist
- COOLING
- Standards of Practice
- Central Air-Conditioning Systems
- Compressor and Condenser
- Clearance
- Refrigerant Lines
- Evaporator
- Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems
- Ductless Air Cooling Systems
- Heat Pump
- Cold Temperatures
- Improper Defrosting
- Evaporative Cooling System
- Humidifiers
- Unit (Window) Air Conditioners
- Whole-House Fan
- Cooling Inspection Checklist
- InterNACHI® Certified HVAC Inspector
- Cooling Inspection Video
- PLUMBING
- Standards of Practice
- Water Service Entry & Valves
- House Service Main
- Main (or Master) Water Shutoff Valve
- Shutoff Valves
- Water Meter
- Interior Water Distribution
- Distribution Piping
- Galvanized Steel
- Brass
- Copper
- Plastic
- PB
- PEX
- Gridded and Parallel
- Drain, Waste, and Vent Piping
- Fixture Traps
- Vents
- Stack Vent Termination at Roof
- Drainage Pipe Slope
- Hot Water
- Water Heaters
- TPR Valves
- Water Heater Labeling
- Thermal Expansion Control
- Pressurized Expansion Tanks
- Water Valves for Water Heater Tanks
- Water Leak Catch Pan
- Discharge Pipe of a TPR Valve
- Domestic Coil Water Heaters (with Boiler)
- Tankless or Demand-Type Water Heaters
- Water Heaters Located in Storage Closets, Bedrooms, and Bathrooms
- Located in Garages
- Private Well
- Septic System
- Plumbing Inspection Checklist
- InterNACHI® Certified Plumbing Inspector
- Plumbing Inspection Video
- ELECTRICAL
- Standards of Practice
- Basic Service Terminology
- Old Electrical Systems
- Service
- Service Panel
- Overhead Wires
- Electric Meter
- Service Entrance Conductor
- Main Electrical Service Panel
- Main Disconnect
- Panel Condition and Location
- Amperage Rating
- Grounding & Bonding
- GFCI (Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter)
- AFCI (Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter)
- Over-Current Protection
- Circuit Identification
- Branch Circuits
- Aluminum Wire
- Low Voltage
- Electrical Inspection Checklist
- InterNACHI® Certified Electrical Inspector
- Electrical Inspection Video
- FIREPLACE
- Standards of Practice
- Fireplaces and Flues
- Hearth
- Lintel
- Firebox
- Damper
- Smoke Pipe Connections
- Flues
- Ash Dump and Pit
- Chimneys
- The 3-2-10 Rule
- Chimney Flashing
- Factory-Built (Pre-Fabricated) Fireplaces
- Ventless or Unvented Fireplaces
- Fireplace Inspection Checklist
- InterNACHI® Certified Chimney Inspector
- ATTIC, INSULATION, AND VENTILATION
- Standards of Practice
- Attic
- Attic Access
- Mechanical Exhaust Systems for Kitchen, Bathroom, and Laundry
- Kitchen Exhaust
- Kitchen Fan Location
- Kitchen Venting
- Exterior Vent Location
- Inspection
- Bathroom Exhaust
- Straight as Possible
- Condensation
- Exhaust Outlet
- Clothes Dryer (Laundry) Exhaust
- Attic Ventilation
- House Ventilation
- Three Ways to Ventilate
- Indoor Air Quality
- Thermal Insulation
- R-Value
- Where to Look for Insulation
- Attic, Insulation, and Ventilation Inspection Checklist
- Attic Inspection Video
- DOORS, WINDOWS, AND INTERIOR
- Standards of Practice
- Interior Doors
- Egress
- Windows
- Glazing and Safety Glass
- Floors
- Moisture Intrusion
- Moisture Production from Domestic Activities
- Walls and Ceilings
- Drywall Truss Uplift
- Cosmetic Defects
- Stairs and Hallways
- Ramps
- Guards
- The 4-Inch Sphere
- Handgrip
- HVAC Source
- Ventilation
- Closets
- Electrical Receptacles and Lighting
- Skylights
- Firewall
- Habitable Rooms
- Bathrooms
- General Bathroom Inspection Checklist
- Kitchen
- Kitchen Appliance Inspection Checklists
- Smoke Detectors
- Laundry Rooms
- Furnace and Utility Rooms
- Garage Door Openers Inspection Checklist
- Asbestos
- Lead
- Lead-based Paint
- Lead in Paint
- Lead in Water
- Radon Gas
- Doors, Windows, and Interior Inspection Checklist
- InterNACHI® Certified Attic, Insulation, Ventilation, Interior Inspector
- Interior Inspection Video
- WATER MANAGEMENT AND DAMAGE PREVENTION
- Smart Decisions
- Houses and Water
- Firm, Dry Foundation
- Frequent Causes of Moisture Damage
- Roof and Flashing
- Gutters and Downspouts
- Ice Dams
- Soffits and Fascias
- Weep Holes
- Landscaping and Grading
- Window and Door Flashing and Seals
- Groundwater and Rainwater
- Condensation
- HVAC
- Sump Pump
- InterNACHI® Certified Moisture Intrusion Inspector
- A WORD ABOUT YOUR HOME’S ENERGY
- $2,200 Every Year
- InterNACHI® Certified Home Energy Inspector
- SEASONAL MAINTENANCE
- Checklists
- In the Spring
- In the Summer
- In the Fall
- In the Winter
- Annually
- ANNUAL HOME MAINTENANCE
- Keep the Home in Good Condition
- InterNACHI® Certified Home Maintenance Inspector
- HEALTHY HOME INSPECTIONS
- Overall Health
- InterNACHI® Certified Healthy Homes Inspector
- INSPECTION & WRITING ASSIGNMENT
- Essay
| Introduction to Home Inspections Course | ||
|---|---|---|
| Course #4518, Student Catalog | ||
| www.nachi.org/introduction-home-inspection-course | ||
| Student Work | Time Calculation | Estimated Clock Hour Time for the Average Student |
| Attendance for "Seat Time" 1 | # of minutes of student attendance / 50 | 25.6 |
| Participation in Learning Activities 2 | # of minutes of online student participation / 50 | 3.0 |
| Interactivity 3 | # of minutes of student interactivity / 50 | 1.0 |
| Reading the Course Text 4 | # of words in the course / 100 words per minute / 50 | 9.8 |
| Reading the Course Textbook 5 | # of words in the book / 100 words per minute / 50 / 2 | 4.9 |
| Academic Engagement 6 | # of words in the course / 100 / 50 | 2.0 |
| Direct Communication 7 | # of minutes of communication / 50 | 0.5 |
| Instructional Video Learning 8 | # of minutes of video / 50 | 2.0 |
| Reinforcement Q & A 9 | # of questions X 1.85 / 50 | 2.4 |
| Writing Assignment of the Inspection 10 | 2.0 hours per assignment | 2.0 |
| Writing Assignment of the Research 11 | 3.0 hours per assignment | 3.0 |
| Academic Activities for an Inspection 12 | 4.0 hours for each inspection assignment | 4.0 |
| Performing an Inspection 13 | 6.0 hours for each inspection | 6.0 |
| * nachi.org/catalog-credit-hour-calculation | 40.6 | |
| Total clock hours | 41.0 clock hours 41.0 InterNACHI CE Hours 4.1 CEU | |
Reminder to members: InterNACHI's Code of Ethics 1.10 requires that you comply with all government rules and licensing requirements of the jurisdiction where you conduct business. InterNACHI's courses and Standards generally exceed the Standards of Practice that you are required to abide by locally.
This course has been approved by:
Upon completion of this course and passing the 60-question final exam, the student can download and print their own Certificate of Completion, which is auto-generated in their own name.
Take the free online course now.
