Section 1410.520 Pre-License Education and Curriculum

Section 1410.520  Pre-License Education and Curriculum

a)         To sit for the home inspector written

examination, an individual must complete the pre-license education of 60 credit

hours of instruction, 5 field inspection events, and a final field examination.

b)         The content for pre-license education shall

represent a progression of instruction and must include the following topics at

a minimum:

1)         Exteriors:

Exterior study must include, at a minimum, the methods and techniques for

identifying, describing, and inspecting the following:

A)        Exposed

foundations.

B)        Siding,

exterior doors and windows, exterior wall covering material, flashing and trim,

eaves, soffits, and fascia, including aluminum, brick, vinyl, steel asphalt,

hardboard, stucco, wood, and exterior insulation finish system.

C)        Gutter

and drainage control systems.

D)        Porches,

attached decks, balconies, stoops, steps, landings, and railings, including the

structural composition.

E)        Vegetation,

grading, and surface drainage, including retaining walls, walkways, driveways,

and patios leading to a dwelling entrance.

2)         Interiors:

Interior study must include, at a minimum, the methods and techniques for

identifying, describing, and inspecting the following:

A)        Wall,

ceiling, and floor defects.

B)        Step,

stair, balconies, and railing defects.

C)        Countertop,

cabinet, and island defects, as they pertain to a kitchen or other type room.

D)        Interior

and exterior door defects.

E)        Window

defects and operation.

F)         Garage

door defects, garage door opener defects, and garage structure defects,

including fire safety and habitability.

G)        Water

related or seepage related sources.

3)         Roofing:

Roofing study must include, at a minimum, the methods and techniques for

identifying, describing, and inspecting the following:

A)        Types

and styles of roofs

dow

defects and operation.

F)         Garage

door defects, garage door opener defects, and garage structure defects,

including fire safety and habitability.

G)        Water

related or seepage related sources.

3)         Roofing:

Roofing study must include, at a minimum, the methods and techniques for

identifying, describing, and inspecting the following:

A)        Types

and styles of roofs.

B)        Roofing

materials used, including asphalt, cedar shake, cedar shingle, tar, residential

rolled roofing, clay or concrete tiles, slate, metal and asbestos.

C)        Skylights,

flashings, roof coverings, and roof drainage systems.

D)        Chimneys

and other penetrations, including proper height and composition.

4)         Plumbing:

Plumbing study must include, at a minimum, the methods and techniques for

identifying, describing, and inspecting the following:

A)        The

interior water supply and main distribution system, including all fixtures,

faucets, valves, and materials.

B)        All

piping, drain, waste, and vent systems, including all fixtures and materials.

C)        Water

heating systems and their capacity.

D)        Fuel

storage and distribution systems and materials.

E)        All

drainage control devices, including sump pumps, ejector pumps, or other related

piping.

F)         Water

source, water service entry, and sewer distribution.

5)         Electrical:

Electrical study must include, at a minimum, the methods and techniques for

identifying, describing, and inspecting the following:

A)        Main

service equipment, main disconnects, including the size, location, amperage,

voltage, overcurrent protection such as a breaker or a fuse, service drop, service

entrance conductors, cables, and raceways.

B)        The

branch distribution, including fuse boxes, breaker boxes, service panels, and subpanels.

C)        All

overcurrent protection devices and wire type identification.

D)        Installed

lighting fixtures, switches, and receptacles

size, location, amperage,

voltage, overcurrent protection such as a breaker or a fuse, service drop, service

entrance conductors, cables, and raceways.

B)        The

branch distribution, including fuse boxes, breaker boxes, service panels, and subpanels.

C)        All

overcurrent protection devices and wire type identification.

D)        Installed

lighting fixtures, switches, and receptacles.

E)        Safety

controls or devices, including ground fault circuit interrupters.

F)         Carbon

monoxide alarms and smoke detectors in compliance with State law.

6)         Heating,

ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) study must include, at a minimum, the

methods and techniques for identifying, describing, and inspecting the

following:

A)        Installed

heating and cooling equipment, operating controls, and ventilation including

fans, ducts, radiators, gas forced air, fuel oil forced air, heat pumps,

electric forced air, and hydronic heating equipment, as well as the

distribution related to the various types.

B)        Energy

sources and distribution systems.

C)        Flue

pipes, chimneys, and spent gas removal systems.

D)        All

related safety controls or devices.

E)        Installed

cooling systems, including central and window mounted systems.

F)         Insulation

and vapor retarders in unfinished spaces, the ventilation of attics and

foundation areas, and mechanical ventilation systems.

7)         Structural:

Structural study must include, at a minimum, the methods and techniques for

identifying, describing, and inspecting the following:

A)        All

structural components and their construction type, including the foundation, floor,

wall, ceiling, under floor crawl space, basement, attic, and wall framing.

B)        All

foundation support systems, including poured concrete, concrete block, brick,

stone and wood, and all related perimeter footing systems.

C)        Water

related or seepage related sources.

D)        Flood

control devices

structural components and their construction type, including the foundation, floor,

wall, ceiling, under floor crawl space, basement, attic, and wall framing.

B)        All

foundation support systems, including poured concrete, concrete block, brick,

stone and wood, and all related perimeter footing systems.

C)        Water

related or seepage related sources.

D)        Flood

control devices.

E)        Roof

structure and systems related to composition.

F)         Under-roof

and under-floor ventilation.

G)        Insulation

and vapor protection systems.

H)        Infestation

that significantly impacts the structure or integrity of the home.

8)         Appliances

and fireplaces:  Appliance and fireplace study must include, at a minimum, the

methods and techniques for identifying, describing, and inspecting the following:

A)        All

fireplaces, solid fuel burning appliances, chimneys, and vents.

B)        All

major household appliances included with the property, including but not

limited to range, stove, oven, refrigerator, window air conditioner, washer, dryer,

trash compactor and garbage disposal, and other appliances that may be part of

a real estate transaction.

9)         Applicable

Laws:  Illinois specific law study must include, at a minimum:

A)        Specific

knowledge and understanding of the Illinois Home Inspector License Act and this

Part.

B)        General

knowledge and understanding of the Illinois Human Rights Act [775 ILCS 5].

C)        General

knowledge and understanding of contract law.

10)       Standards

of Practice:  Standards of Practice study must include, at a minimum:

A)        Required

disclosures to a client;

B)        Required

report content;

C)        Competent

report writing; and

D)        Specific

knowledge of business practices and Standards of Practice.

11)       Five

Field inspection events in residential real property

edge and understanding of contract law.

10)       Standards

of Practice:  Standards of Practice study must include, at a minimum:

A)        Required

disclosures to a client;

B)        Required

report content;

C)        Competent

report writing; and

D)        Specific

knowledge of business practices and Standards of Practice.

11)       Five

Field inspection events in residential real property.

A)        Field

inspection events must be conducted under the direct supervision of an Illinois

licensed home inspector with at least five years' experience, on-site and in

person.  A licensed home inspector can supervise a maximum of five licensure

candidates in each field inspection event.

B)        Field

inspection events are conducted for the purpose of learning inspection

methodology, techniques, communication, and observation skills, and describing

observed conditions.

C)        The

student may accompany the home inspector on a home inspection that may qualify

as a field inspection event, but shall not perform or participate in any home

inspection that is paid for by a client of the supervising home inspector,

instructor, or of any home inspector.

D)        The

required five field inspection events shall not all be the same type of

residential real property, if feasible, but offer a variety of homes to

inspect.

12)       A

final field examination to be performed by the students after all 5 field

inspection events are completed.  The content, logistics, and administration of

the examination will be developed and determined by the education provider

required five field inspection events shall not all be the same type of

residential real property, if feasible, but offer a variety of homes to

inspect.

12)       A

final field examination to be performed by the students after all 5 field

inspection events are completed.  The content, logistics, and administration of

the examination will be developed and determined by the education provider.  At

a minimum, the examination shall include the following specifications:

A)        A

draft or mock written home inspection report to be completed by the students;

B)        The

report based on either one of the 5 field inspection event properties, or an

additional property that is of a similar residential type to a field inspection

event previously performed;

C)        The

report shall include a description and inspection performed of each system

identified in Sections 1410.200 and 1410.520.

D)        The

report shall cover the identification of components and potential defects of

each system.

E)        No

student shall be deemed to have passed the final field examination unless the

student has scored a minimum of 70% on the examination.