How to Get a
Texas Home Inspector License

This 200-hour course is designed to provide the student with an overview of the IRC Codes as they relate to the various building systems involved in Real Property and which mirror the Texas Standards of Practice for performing Real Estate Inspections.

Course Outline:

Foundations (30-Hours), Roof Systems (24-Hours), Framing (30-Hours), Electrical Systems (24-Hours), HVAC Systems (24-Hours), Plumbing (16-Hours), Building Enclosures (24-Hours), Appliances (6-Hours), Texas Report Form Writing (8-Hours), EPA CPSC and Business (6-Hours), SOP Review (4-Hours), and Legal and Ethics Update (4-Hours).

This 90-hour course is designed to provide the student with an overview of the IRC Codes as they relate to the various building systems involved in Real Property and which mirror the Texas Standards of Practice for performing Real Estate Inspections.

Course Outline:

Texas Legal and Ethics (8-Hours), General Provisions (4-Hours), Foundations (10-Hours), Roofing (10-Hours), Building Enclosures (10-Hours), Electrical (10-Hours), HVAC Systems (10-Hours), Plumbing (8-Hours), Appliances (8-Hours), Framing (8-Hours), and Standard Report Form Writing (4-Hours).

This 40-hour course is designed to provide the student with an overview of the IRC Codes as they relate to the various building systems involved in Real Property and which mirror the Texas Standards of Practice for performing Real Estate Inspections.

Course Outline:

SOP Review (4-Hours), Texas Report Form / Report Writing (8-Hours), Building Enclosures (8-Hours), Electrical (8-Hours), HVAC (4-Hours), Plumbing (4-Hours), and Legal and Ethics Update (4-Hours)

This 30-hour Framing Course will help the student develop an understanding of the provisions regulating floor construction, including the sizing and installation of floor joists and girders; drilling and notching of floor framing members; engineered wood products such as trusses, glue-laminated members and I-joists; draft stopping; floor sheathing spans and installation; steel floor framing; and concrete slab-on-ground floors. It also covers the requirements for dealing with wall construction and wall covering, including wood wall framing details; headers in both exterior and interior walls; fire blocking; braced wall panels and braced wall lines; cripple walls; steel wall framing; masonry wall construction; exterior windows and exterior doors; gypsum board plaster, ceramic tile and other interior wall finishes; and exterior wall finishes such as siding, plaster and veneer.

This 30-hour Foundations Course will help the student develop an understanding of the requirements relating to foundation systems, including soil evaluation; footing size, depth and slope; foundation design and reinforcing; frost-protected shallow foundations; wood foundations; insulating form foundation walls; foundation drainage; water proofing and damp proofing; and under-floor spaces. It also covers the provisions regulating floor construction, including the sizing and installation of floor joists and girders; drilling and notching of floor framing members; engineered wood products such as trusses, glue-laminated members and I-joists; draft stopping; floor sheathing spans and installation; steel floor framing; and concrete slab-on-ground floors.

This 24-hour Roofing Systems Course will help the student develop an understanding of the design criteria to be used in the application of the prescriptive provisions of the International Residential Code. Including wind and seismic limitations. Snow loads and live loads, as well as the methods for addressing buildings located in very close-proximity to property lines. It also covers the requirements for ceiling construction, roof construction and roof coverings, including ceiling joist and rafter sizing; cutting and notching of framing members; framing at openings; purlins; steel roof framing; roof ventilation and attic access; and roof covering materials such as asphalt shingles, concrete or clay tiles, wood shingles and wood shakes.

This 24-hour Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems Course will provide the student with detailed information over the Heating and Air Conditioning portions of the International Residential Code (IRC) which will help enable/guide the Real Estate Inspector in performing inspections. As identified by the IRC, which mirror the Texas Standards of Practice, this will provide today's inspectors with clear guidelines also aiding in limiting liability for inspections.

This 24-hour Electrical Systems Course will help the student develop an understanding of the general requirements for electrical systems, equipment and components, including gaining an understanding of the provisions regulating wiring methods, power and lighting distribution, devices and lighting fixtures, appliances installation and swimming pools.

This 24-hour Building Enclosure Course will help the student develop an understanding of the health and safety criteria of the code, including light and ventilation; minimum room areas and ceiling height; sanitation; toilet, bath, and shower spaces; glazing, including safety glazing; carports and garages; emergency escape and rescue openings; and exits. It will also give them an understanding of the fire and life safety criteria of the code, including stairways, ramps and landings; handrails and guards; smoke alarms; foam plastic and insulation; flame spread and smoke density of wall and ceiling finishes; separation of dwelling units, including town house separations; protection against decay and termite infestation; and flood-resistant construction.

This 16-hour Plumbing Course will provide the student with detailed information over the Plumbing portions of the International Residential Code (IRC) which will help enable/guide the Real Estate Inspector in performing inspections. As identified by the IRC, which mirror the Texas Standards of Practice, this will provide today's inspectors with clear guidelines also aiding in limiting liability for inspections.

This course will provide the Student with detailed instruction over the legal portions of the Standards of Practice as identified with professional ethics, conduct, legal standards, and the Standards of Practice for Real Estate Inspectors to perform inspections. As identified by the minimum standard outline to provide today's inspectors with clear guidelines also aiding in limiting liability for inspections.

This course aims to provide an understanding of the health and safety criteria, reporting concerns of possible violations as it relates to the Environmental Protection Agency and Consumer Product Safety Commission. As well as an awareness to the functions of each. As well as the fire and life safety criteria, reporting concerns of possible violations as it relates to the Environmental Protection Agency and Consumer Product Safety Commission. As well as an awareness to the functions of each.

This section will introduce the Inspector to common household appliances. Per our Standards of Practice, built-in appliances (with certain exceptions) are part of the standard home inspection and deserve the same care and attention as foundations, electrical, and plumbing systems. Appliances are easier to change than roofs, plumbing or heating and air conditioning systems, but to miss a non functioning unit can cost an inspector hundreds of dollars.

This course will emphasize practical training for students seeking the opportunity to see and touch all the equipment discussed in their textbook in order to familiarize themselves with the hardware/systems they encounter in the field. Training includes Texas Standards of Practice Review of Report Writing, Structural Systems, HVAC (Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation Systems), Electrical Systems, Roofing, Plumbing Systems and various other components that will also aide in completing this training process.

This course will emphasize that it is every license holder's responsibility to know and operate under the current laws and rules applicable to their license. There are two primary laws that govern the conduct of real inspectors in Texas. These two laws are found in Chapters 1101-1102 of the Texas Occupations Code (TOC). In addition, the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) may adopt new rules or amend existing rules applicable to real estate inspectors.