A Proposal For a Meaningful and Attainable CMI Program

[Blaine Wiley]

Most of us agree that CMI will be a marketing advantage, and I believe in some of the minds of those who wholeheartedly support it see it in the same light as the Realtor GRI designation, so I have proposed the following:

Instead of worrying about all of the logistics of who can and who can't attain the CMI, how many years and inspections, who does and who doesn't have enough time in the business, or number of inspections to even take the class to take the test to get the designation, let's make CMI a designation of higher learning.

Anyone who is a full member can take the course, which should be challenging, thorough, and certainly a huge step above the basic HI courses most of us took to enter the business in the first place.

At the successful completion of the course and exam, the inspector gets to use the initials GCMI (Graduate of Certified Master Inspector course) which simply is a designation that the Inspector has completed an advanced course in home inspection materials and techniques. The logo could be easily changed to add the G.

The course could be taught by schools, and at least part of it at the convention each year. It would demonstrate the things that most of us want CMI to be; a yearning for more education, a commitment to the business, more knowledgeable home inspectors, a marketing advantage, and yes, more people coming to NACHI for membership.

Any Takers?

[pdacey]

I like this outline better than anything else that has been proposed so far. As long as the course is availabe in multiple locations throughout the US and Canada.

[Blaine Wiley]

It would have to be available everywhere.

It also would allow for other designations to be made and courses developed.

Graduate of Historical Home Inspections
Graduate of New Home Inspections
Certified Home Inspection Educator

ETC.

[cfischer]

GCMI? Wouldn't a "graduate" designation of any program or course denote the passing of an exam?

For whatever reason there needs to be an additional letter added to the CMI designation, it seems the more appropriate would be CCMI - Completed Certified Master Inspector course. And wouldn't the best time to take an exam be upon completion of the course? Why wait an extended period of time after completing a course before you take the exam?

Christine

[Blaine Wiley]

I can't imagine anyone successfully completing a course without an exam. Can you?

"At the successful completion of the course and exam, the inspector gets to use the initials GCMI (Graduate of Certified Master Inspector course) which simply is a designation that the Inspector has completed and advanced course in home inspection materials and techniques. "

[cfischer]

"Graduate" means course AND exam, not just course. Agreed?

[Blaine Wiley]

That is what it has meant on every course I've ever taken!

[John Bowman]

Looks like a win - win situation for everyone. I would strongly support and be proud of this program. Shows strength, unity, and accomplishment. But more importantly, it totaly dissolves any tiering of the membership. Brilliant Blane, just plain Brilliant.

[Larry D. Kage]

I like it. It espouses education not hierarchies.

[Joe Farsetta]

I view this a a means for those who do not qualify to use the CMI designation, to complete a course of study and exam, use the "graduate" designation, until such time as they meet the 2 1/2 / 250 threshold.

Its a good idea.

[Greg Bell]

It would be nice to see a program developed that would allow the chapters to provide this education.

[Nick Gromicko]

I'm 100% for this brilliant idea Blaine.

[gjohnson]

I think the idea makes a lot of sense.

[jmichalski]

Not to be contrarian, but why have the course? That is seems like nothing more than a money making venture.

The exam is the real measure of the designation. So, why not just offer an exam?

Of course, the optional course COULD be taken which may significantly assist in passing the exam, but requiring a course then an exam sounds too much like pandering to the inspection school vendors.

Even if it is taught by NACHI -I still don't see the need for the course if there are some vets who can pass without it. The exam is necessary.

And GCMI isn't trademarked, is it?

[jmichalski]

OK - one more question....

This would mean that a rookie could be a CMI if they passed the test right (assuming they did 100 inspections to be a full member)?