Some states, unlike New Mexico, have a licensure requirement for Property Inspection Professionals. It is important to understand that a state licensure requirement only sets a minimum standard. Much like being “up to code”, any lower standard would be both unethical, and probably illegal. Using this “Low-Bar” example, theoretically, pretty much anyone could claim to be an experienced Property Inspection Professional.
Some Professional Property Inspection Associations have absolutely NO entrance or certification requirements and, worse, some associations actually encourage their inexperienced “associates” to go out and perform real-time / fee-paid inspections for unsuspecting consumers as the only way to achieve “full membership”.
As NACHI-Certified Professional Property Inspection Professionals, we find this practice unconscionable.
- FACT: NACHI rejects more than 60% of candidate inspectors who desire certification due simply to the fact that these candidates cannot pass the NACHI Certified Inspector exam.
- FACT: Additionally, NACHI turns down approximately 90% of the remaining candidates due to their inability to fulfill and maintain the rigorous Membership Requirements.
In order to achieve status as a NACHI Certified Professional Inspector (CPI), a Candidate must complete each of the following requirements:
- Join InterNACHI
- Pass InterNACHI’s Inspector Examination
- Successfully complete InterNACHI’s Code of Ethics Course
- Successfully complete InterNACHI’s Residential Standards of Practice Course
- If a CPI candidate has never performed a fee-paid inspection, he or she must:
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- Submit four mock inspection reports to InterNACHI’s Report Review Committee for verification of content accuracy and standardized reporting protocol.
Upon completion of the above requirements, a candidate must then sign the InterNACHI CPI Affidavit attesting to, and confirming current and future compliance with all certification codes, standards and practices, as well as all continuing-education requirements.
In order to maintain CPI Status, a NACHI-Certified Professional Inspector must:
- Adhere to all InterNACHI Standards of Practice
- Abide by the InterNACHI Code of Ethics,
- Abide by InterNACHI’s Continuing Education Policy, and
- Maintain, at all times for verification, an online member Continuing-Education Log.
Within the 1st Year a NACHI CPI must complete the:
- Safe Practices for the Home Inspector course………………………………….(4.0 Hours)
- 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know course…………………………(5.0 Hours)
- Residential Plumbing Overview for Inspectors course……………………..(8.0 Hours)
- How to Perform Residential Electrical Inspections course………………..(4.0 Hours)
- How to Perform Roof Inspections course………………………………………..(4.0 Hours)
- How to Inspect HVAC Systems course……………………………………………(12.0 Hours)
- Structural Issues for Home Inspectors course………………………………….(4.0 Hours)
- How to Perform Exterior Inspections course……………………………………(16.0 Hours)
- Inspecting Attic, Insulation, Ventilation / Interior course………………….(14.0 Hours)
- How to Perform Deck Inspections course…………………………………………(3 Hours)
- How to Inspect for Moisture Intrusion course…………………………………..(8 Hours)
- How to Inspect Fireplaces, Stoves, and Chimneys course…………………..(4.0 Hours)
TOTAL COURSEWORK / 1ST YEAR: 86 HOURS
Every 36 Months a NACHI CPI must:
Successfully pass the InterNACHI Inspector Examination
ADDITIONALLY:
NACHI CPI’s are also covered by InterNACHI’s $10,000.00 Honor Guarantee
As you can see, it just makes good sense to work with a NACHI Certified Professional Inspector! Visit www.nachi.org to learn more!
