Course Description and Learning Outcomes
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, abilities, 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, skills, and abilities (KSA) 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 any valid credentialing program and 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, skills, and abilities required to competently perform a job.
Development of the JTA
In 2010, a committee considered to be subject matter experts in home inspections met at InterNACHI® Headquarters in Boulder, Colorado, to develop the Home Inspector Job Task Analysis and create an examination blueprint that would serve as the basis for the inspector certification. The committee included Dr. Richard Knaub of NREL.gov who served as the psychometrician for the project. 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. faculty, students, graduates, employers, and advisory council, 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 set by the U.S. Department of Education for nationally accredited post-secondary educational institutions such as the InterNACHI® School.
InterNACHI® School and JTA and KSA
The InterNACHI® School is the only tuition-free home inspector school accredited as a post-secondary education institution by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET), a national accrediting agency of the U.S. Department of Education. View USDE Accreditations.
The InterNACHI® School uses the JTA and KSA to develop and administrate curricula and course content for training and assessment (quizzes, assignments, tests, and exams) purposes. This analysis is also fundamental to the development, structure, and administration of the Home Inspector Certificate Program and the Home Inspector Exam.
Scope
A home inspector is a certified professional who performs home inspections and writes home inspection reports. A home inspection is a non-invasive, visual examination of the readily accessible areas of a residential property, performed for a fee, which is designed to identify defects within specific systems and components that are both observed and deemed material by the inspector. The scope of work may be modified by the Client and Inspector prior to the inspection process.
A home inspection report shall identify, in written format, defects within specific systems and components defined by a Standards of Practice that are both observed and deemed material by the inspector. Inspection reports may include additional comments and recommendations.
Job Description
A home inspector performs a standardized, non-diagnostic inspection of a residential property performed according to the International Standards of Practice for Performing a General Home Inspection. A home inspection is a non-invasive, visual examination of the accessible areas of a residential property, performed for a fee, which is designed to identify defects within specific systems and components that are both observed and deemed material by the inspector.
Course Descriptions and Learning Outcomes
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, Skills and Abilities (KSA) a student will attain.
For every InterNACHI School course description page (syllabus), the KSA are listed under "You will learn the following." The KSA 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, abilities, and skills required to do these tasks.
Domains and Tasks
DOMAIN 1: COLLECT HOME DATA.
Task 1: Conduct a visual inspection.
This task of conducting a visual inspection is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the following: Code of Ethics Course, Residential Standards of Practice Course, Safe Practices for the Home Inspector Course, 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, Residential Plumbing Overview for Inspectors Course, How to Perform Residential Electrical Inspections Course, How to Perform Roof Inspections Course, How to Inspect HVAC Systems Course, Structural Issues for Home Inspectors Course, How to Inspect the Exterior Course, How to Inspect the Attic, Insulation, Ventilation and Interior Course, How to Perform Deck Inspections Course, How to Inspect for Moisture Intrusion Course, How to Inspect Fireplaces, Stoves and Chimneys Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
Knowledge of:
Task 2: Collect health and safety data.
This task of collecting health and safety data is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the Safe Practices for the Home Inspector Course, the 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, the Residential Standards of Practice Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
Skill in:
Task 3: Collect roof data.
This task of collecting roof data is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the How to Perform Roof Inspections Course, the 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, the Residential Standards of Practice Course, the How to Inspect for Moisture Intrusion Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
Ability to:
Skill in:
Task 4: Collect exterior data.
This task of collecting exterior data is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the How to Inspect the Exterior Course, the 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, the Residential Standards of Practice Course, the How to Inspect for Moisture Intrusion Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
Knowledge of:
Skill in:
Task 5: Collect foundation data.
This task of collecting foundation data is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the Structural Issues for Home Inspectors Course, the 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, the Residential Standards of Practice Course, the How to Inspect for Moisture Intrusion Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
Task 6: Collect HVAC data.
This task of collecting HVAC data is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the How to Inspect HVAC Systems Course, the 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, the Residential Standards of Practice Course, the How to Inspect Fireplaces, Stoves and Chimneys Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
Task 7: Collect electrical data.
This task of collecting electrical data is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the How to Perform Residential Electrical Inspections Course, the 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, the Residential Standards of Practice Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
Task 8: Collect plumbing data.
This task of collecting plumbing data is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the Residential Plumbing Overview for Inspectors Course, the 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, the Residential Standards of Practice Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
This task of collecting attic, ventilation, and insulation data is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the How to Inspect the Attic, Insulation, Ventilation and Interior Course, the 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, the Residential Standards of Practice Course, the How to Inspect for Moisture Intrusion Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
Skill in:
This task of collecting wall, ceiling, floor, and interior data is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the How to Inspect the Attic, Insulation, Ventilation and Interior Course, the 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, the Residential Standards of Practice Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
This task of collecting window data is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the How to Inspect the Attic, Insulation, Ventilation and Interior Course, the 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, the Residential Standards of Practice Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
Skill in:
This task of collecting door data is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the How to Inspect the Attic, Insulation, Ventilation and Interior Course, the 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, the Residential Standards of Practice Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
Task 13: Collect garage data.
This task of collecting garage data is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the How to Inspect the Attic, Insulation, Ventilation and Interior Course, the 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, the Residential Standards of Practice Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
Skill in:
DOMAIN 2: EVALUATE COLLECTED DATA.
Task 1: Evaluate the observations from a visual inspection.
This task of evaluating the observations from a visual inspection is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the following courses: Code of Ethics Course, Residential Standards of Practice Course, Safe Practices for the Home Inspector Course, 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, Residential Plumbing Overview for Inspectors Course, How to Perform Residential Electrical Inspections Course, How to Perform Roof Inspections Course, How to Inspect HVAC Systems Course, Structural Issues for Home Inspectors Course, How to Inspect the Exterior Course, How to Inspect the Attic, Insulation, Ventilation and Interior Course, How to Perform Deck Inspections Course, How to Inspect for Moisture Intrusion Course, How to Inspect Fireplaces, Stoves and Chimneys Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
This task of evaluating the health and safety data is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the Safe Practices for the Home Inspector Course, the 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, the Residential Standards of Practice Course, the How to Inspect for Moisture Intrusion Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
Knowledge of:
Task 3: Evaluate the roof data.
This task of evaluating roof data is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the How to Perform Roof Inspections Course, the 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, the Residential Standards of Practice Course, the How to Inspect for Moisture Intrusion Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
Task 4: Evaluate exterior data.
This task of evaluating roof data is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the How to Perform Roof Inspections Course, the 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, the Residential Standards of Practice Course, the How to Inspect for Moisture Intrusion Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
This task of evaluating foundation data is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the Structural Issues for Home Inspectors Course, the 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, the Residential Standards of Practice Course, the How to Inspect for Moisture Intrusion Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
Knowledge of:
Skill in:
Task 6: Evaluate HVAC data.
This task of evaluating HVAC data is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the How to Inspect HVAC Systems Course, the 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, the Residential Standards of Practice Course, the How to Inspect Fireplaces, Stoves and Chimneys Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
Skill in:
Task 7: Evaluate electrical data.
This task of evaluating electrical data is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the How to Perform Residential Electrical Inspections Course, the 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, the Residential Standards of Practice Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
Skill in:
Task 8: Evaluate plumbing data.
This task of evaluating plumbing data is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the Residential Plumbing Overview for Inspectors Course, the 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, the Residential Standards of Practice Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
Skill in:
This task of evaluating attic, ventilation, and insulation data is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the How to Inspect the Attic, Insulation, Ventilation and Interior Course, the 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, the Residential Standards of Practice Course, the How to Inspect for Moisture Intrusion Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
Skill in:
Task 10: Evaluate wall, ceiling, floor, and interior data.
This task of evaluating wall, ceiling, floor, and interior data is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the How to Inspect the Attic, Insulation, Ventilation and Interior Course, the 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, the Residential Standards of Practice Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
Skill in:
This task of evaluating window data is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the How to Inspect the Attic, Insulation, Ventilation and Interior Course, the 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, the Residential Standards of Practice Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
Skill in:
This task of evaluating door data is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the How to Inspect the Attic, Insulation, Ventilation and Interior Course, the 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, the Residential Standards of Practice Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
Skill in:
This task of evaluating garage data is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the How to Inspect the Attic, Insulation, Ventilation and Interior Course, the 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, the Residential Standards of Practice Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
Skill in:
DOMAIN 3: COMMUNICATE DATA.
Task 1: Enter data into reporting software or checklist.
This task of entering data into reporting software or a checklist is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the Code of Ethics Course, Residential Standards of Practice Course, Safe Practices for the Home Inspector Course, 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, Residential Plumbing Overview for Inspectors Course, How to Perform Residential Electrical Inspections Course, How to Perform Roof Inspections Course, How to Inspect HVAC Systems Course, Structural Issues for Home Inspectors Course, How to Inspect the Exterior Course, How to Inspect the Attic, Insulation, Ventilation and Interior Course, How to Perform Deck Inspections Course, How to Inspect for Moisture Intrusion Course, How to Inspect Fireplaces, Stoves and Chimneys Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
Task 2: Identify defects in writing.
This task of identifying defects in writing is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the Code of Ethics Course, Residential Standards of Practice Course, Safe Practices for the Home Inspector Course, 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, Residential Plumbing Overview for Inspectors Course, How to Perform Residential Electrical Inspections Course, How to Perform Roof Inspections Course, How to Inspect HVAC Systems Course, Structural Issues for Home Inspectors Course, How to Inspect the Exterior Course, How to Inspect the Attic, Insulation, Ventilation and Interior Course, How to Perform Deck Inspections Course, How to Inspect for Moisture Intrusion Course, How to Inspect Fireplaces, Stoves and Chimneys Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
Skill in:
Task 3: Communicate, in writing, the need of correcting defects.
This task of communicating in writing the need of correcting defects is established by the specific, measurable educational performance objectives listed in the Code of Ethics Course, Residential Standards of Practice Course, Safe Practices for the Home Inspector Course, 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know Course, Residential Plumbing Overview for Inspectors Course, How to Perform Residential Electrical Inspections Course, How to Perform Roof Inspections Course, How to Inspect HVAC Systems Course, Structural Issues for Home Inspectors Course, How to Inspect the Exterior Course, How to Inspect the Attic, Insulation, Ventilation and Interior Course, How to Perform Deck Inspections Course, How to Inspect for Moisture Intrusion Course, How to Inspect Fireplaces, Stoves and Chimneys Course, and Writing and Submitting 4 Mock Inspection Reports.
Examinations are developed using a general examination blueprint -- a tool used to design examinations. The blueprint, also referred to as a test specification, identifies the content areas covered on an examination. For each content area, the blueprint outlines the domains and tasks, and the proportion of each represented in the examination. Students are encouraged to use the examination blueprint to prepare for the examination, keeping in mind that the blueprint may not include all topics listed in the course outline.
Domains and Tasks | ||
Domain 1: | Collect Home Data | 75% |
Task 1: Conduct a visual inspection. | 8% | |
Task 2: Collect health and safety data. | 4% | |
Task 3: Collect roof data. | 6% | |
Task 4: Collect exterior data. | 7% | |
Task 5: Collect foundation data. | 6% | |
Task 6: Collect heating, ventilation, and air condition (HVAC) system data. | 8% | |
Task 7: Collect electrical data. | 6% | |
Task 8: Collect plumbing data. | 7% | |
Task 9: Collect attic, ventilation, and insulation data. | 6% | |
Task 10: Collect wall, ceiling, floor, and interior data. | 4% | |
Task 11: Collect window data. | 4% | |
Task 12: Collect door data. | 3% | |
Task 13: Collect garage data. | 3% | |
Domain 2: | Evaluate Collected Data | 15% |
Task 1: Evaluate the observations from a visual inspection. | 1% | |
Task 2: Evaluate health and safety data. | 1% | |
Task 3: Evaluate roof data. | 1% | |
Task 4: Evaluate exterior data. | 1% | |
Task 5: Evaluate foundation data. | 1% | |
Task 6: Evaluate HVAC data. | 1% | |
Task 7: Evaluate electrical data. | 1% | |
Task 8: Evaluate plumbing data. | 1% | |
Task 9: Evaluate attic, ventilation, and insulation data. | 1% | |
Task 10: Evaluate the wall, ceiling, floor, and interior data. | 1% | |
Task 11: Evaluate window data. | 1% | |
Task 12: Evaluate door data. | 1% | |
Task 13: Evaluate garage data. | 1% | |
Domain 3: | Communicate Data | 10% |
Task 1: Enter data into reporting software or checklist. | 3% | |
Task 2: Identify defects in writing. | 3% | |
Task 3: Communicate, in writing, the need to correct defects. | 4% |