First Fundamentals Course Available In Washington State

[Steven L. Smith]

Rhonda Meyers, State of Washington home inspector licensing manager, announced on Wednesday that the Fundamentals of Home Inspection course offered by Bellingham Technical College has received conditional approval. That means this course will be accepted by, and will meet, the state's requirements for 120 classroom hours of approved education. The course will, also, include a final (fourth) week which allows students to meet the field training requirements of the law. The first scheduled four week class will begin May 18, 2009. You can visit the BTC website for more information.

http://www.btc.ctc.edu/DegreesCertif...asp?Program=63

[kpierce]

So we're up to about $4500 not including transportation costs.

[Steven C. Meyer]

Originally Posted by kpierce

So we're up to about $4500 not including transportation costs.

Kevin

FOLLOW THE MONEY.

In Washington state, that would only be the starting point!!

More to come!!!

[Steven C. Meyer]

Originally Posted by ssmith

Rhonda Meyers, State of Washington home inspector licensing manager, announced on Wednesday that the Fundamentals of Home Inspection course offerened by Bellingham Technical College has received conditional approval. That means this course will be accepted by, and will meet, the states requirements for 120 classroom hours of approved education. The course will, also, include a final (fourth) week which allows students to meet the field training requirements of the law. The first scheduled four week class will begin May 18, 2009. You can visit the BTC website for more information.

http://www.btc.ctc.edu/DegreesCertif...asp?Program=63

Steven

Fundamentals of WHAT????!!!

AND, why Bellingham,? The furtherst point from any major metropolitan area?
Why not Lake Washington TC. Bellevue Community college, seattle community college, and others, serving considerably more people?

On that basis, guess UW ought to close their Seattle campus and move to Bellingham??!!

Only the Olympia mind set, can this come about!!! Serve the people, NOT!!!

[James H. Bushart]

It's only to protect the consumer....it's only to protect the consumer.....it's only to protect the consumer....it's only to protect the consumer....(and to discourage newbies from entering the field and competing against those who pushed for this bill)....it's only to protect the consumer.....it's only to protect the consumer.....it's only to protect the consumer.... (because they were successfully challenged with their scam of requiring SPI licenses to become home inspectors and when people caught on to that scam, they needed something new to raise the expense of becoming a home inspector).....it's only to protect the consumer.....it's only to protect the consumer.....it's only to protect the consumer....it's only to protect the consumer....

[Nick Gromicko]

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

Several years ago, ASHI made C&D's home study course the OFFICIAL and approved ASHI home study course. ITA (later ITA Kaplan) was designated the OFFICIAL "Preferred Home Inspection Trainer OR ??" using their 2 week class. ASHI was to receive a gratuity back from each of them for each enrolee.

That helped a Non-Profit generate "Non-Dues" Income for the Association.

I remember vaguely that before this, the C&D home study course was about $1,500 (+/-). After becoming the OFFICIAL course for ASHI I heard the fee went up to about $2,400 (+/-).

Anybody know where is it today?

[Steven L. Smith]

Steven,

The body of the text says fundamentals of home inspection. The title is shorter but it was spelled out in the text of the post. This course is in Bellingham because BTC filled out the paperwork and got the conditional approval to offer the course. BTC is in Bellingham so that is where the class will be offered.

Any school, state or private, may apply to the state for approval. The party has to meet the requirements of providing 120 hours of approved classrom education. So far, no private party or other school in the Seattle area has submitted a program for approval. That is the problem, you need someone in the Seattle area to put a course together. It is up to the educators, not Olympia, at this point.

If anyone reading this wants to put a course together, which could be done, all of the requirements for starting and getting approval of the course are posted at the DOL website.

[Nick Gromicko]

Dan Bowers writes:

Several years ago, ASHI made C&D's home study course the OFFICIAL and approved ASHI home study course. ITA (later ITA Kaplan) was designated the OFFICIAL "Preferred Home Inspection Trainer OR ??" using their 2 week class. ASHI was to receive a gratuity back from each of them for each enrolee.

That helped a Non-Profit generate "Non-Dues" Income for the Association.

I remember vaguely that before this, the C&D home study course was about $1,500 (+/-). After becoming the OFFICIAL course for ASHI I heard the fee went up to about $2,400 (+/-).

Anybody know where is it today?

When a REALTOR recommends a certain inspector in return for a "kickback" ASHI members get their panties all bunched up. Where is the outrage when ASHI does it to their own members?

ASHI was to receive a gratuity back from each of them for each enrolee.

An association is supposed to help its members by recommending the best education based on merit, not secret kickbacks.

Anybody know where is it today?

I'm pleased that www.nachi.org/education.htm (the most approved, accredited inspection education provider in the world) buried them.

[Nick Gromicko]

These quotes directly from ASHI's Code of Ethics:

A. Inspectors shall not inspect properties for compensation in which they have, or expect to have, a financial interest.

But ASHI can have a financial interest in recommending a school?

C. Inspectors shall not directly or indirectly compensate realty agents, or other parties having a financial interest in closing or settlement of real estate transactions, for the referral of inspections or for inclusion on a list of recommended inspectors, preferred providers, or similar arrangements.

But ASHI can collect indirect compensation from a school that wants to be their preferred provider?

E. Inspectors shall not accept compensation, directly or indirectly, for recommending contractors, services, or products to inspection clients or other parties having an interest in inspected properties.

But ASHI can accept compensation for recommending a school?

A. Inspectors shall perform services and express opinions based on genuine conviction and only within their areas of education, training, or experience.

But ASHI can express opinions based on secret gratuity?

ASHI authoring a Code of Ethics is like Bernie Madoff authoring investor protection legislation.

[Nick Gromicko]

Sorry we stole your thread Steven.

I'm pleased that an InterNACHI member got the first course approved. Let me know how we can help promote it as we always have.

[Steven L. Smith]

Nick,

I am the cooordinator of the program. It is, of course, run through a community college/tech school. This class has been around about 15 years but we had to make a number of adjustments, a few more yet to make, to meet the guidelines set forth by the state.

[Steven C. Meyer]

Originally Posted by ssmith

Nick,

I am the cooordinator of the program. It is, of course, run through a community college/tech school. This class has been around about 15 years but we had to make a number of adjustments, a few more yet to make, to meet the guidelines set forth by the state.

AND, the cost of this state mandated requirement is?????????

[Steven C. Meyer]

Originally Posted by ssmith

Nick,

I am the cooordinator of the program. It is, of course, run through a community college/tech school. This class has been around about 15 years but we had to make a number of adjustments, a few more yet to make, to meet the guidelines set forth by the state.

AND, is this a "rerquirement" for all (currently operating and newbees) inspectors??

[Nick Gromicko]

Judging from what students have said about it... it is an excellent course.