(a) To be accepted for inspector licensing, a course
must meet each of the following requirements.
(1) The course was devoted to a subject listed in §1102.001(5)
of Chapter 1102 or this section; provided, however, that the commission
will not accept more than 30 hours of course credit for inspection-related
business, legal, report writing or ethics courses.
(2) The student was present in the classroom for the
hours of credit granted by the course provider or completed makeup
in accordance with the requirements of the provider or by applicable
commission rule.
(3) Successful completion of a final examination or
other form of final evaluation was a requirement for receiving credit
from the provider.
(4) The daily course presentation did not exceed ten
hours.
(5) The course was offered by a provider accredited
by the commission to offer inspection courses or exempt from the requirement
to be accredited by the commission.
(b) A classroom course may include up to 50% of total
course time for appropriate field trips relevant to the course topic.
Field trips may not be included as part of correspondence or alternative
delivery courses.
(c) Except as provided to the contrary by this section,
the review and acceptance of correspondence courses or courses offered
by alternative delivery systems such as computers will be conducted
in the manner prescribed by §535.62 of this title (relating to
Acceptable Courses of Study). Correspondence courses are acceptable
only if offered by or in association with an accredited college or
university and the school has certified to the commission that the
course was offered in accordance with the college or university's
curriculum accreditation standards. Using the name of the school "in
association with" the name of the college or university on the course
completion certificate or electronic course submission constitutes
certification to the commission that the course was offered in compliance
with the college or university's curriculum accreditation standards.
(d) Providers wishing to obtain prior approval of a
classroom course shall submit the following items to the commission:
(1) a course description, including the number of hours
of credit to be awarded;
(2) a timed course outline;
(3) a copy of any textbook, course outline, syllabus
or other written course material provided to students;
(4) a cross reference to the course material which
demonstrates in a manner that is satisfactory to the commission where
the required subject matter is covered in the course; and
(5) a copy of the written final examination which measures
a student's mastery of the course.
(e) The following subjects shall be considered core
real estate inspection courses:
(1) Foundations, which shall include the following
topics:
(A) site analysis/location;
(B) grading;
(C) foundations;
(D) flat work;
(E) material;
(F) foundation walls;
(G) foundation drainage;
(H) foundation waterproofing and damp proofing;
(I) columns; and
(J) under floor space.
(2) Framing, which shall include the following topics:
(A) flashing;
(B) wood frame - stick/balloon;
(C) roof structure - rafters/trusses;
(D) floor structure;
(E) porches/decks/steps/landings/balconies;
(F) doors;
(G) ceilings;
(H) interior walls;
(I) stairways;
(J) guardrails/handrails/balusters;
(K) fireplace/chimney;
(L) sills/columns/beams/joist/sub-flooring;
(M) wall systems/structure - headers;
(N) rammed earth;
(O) straw bale;
(P) ICF;
(Q) panelized;
(R) masonry;
(S) wood I joist;
(T) roof sheathing;
(U) wood wall;
(V) steel wall;
(W) wood structural panel; and
(X) conventional concrete.
(3) Building Enclosure, which shall include the following
topics:
(A) review of foundation and roofing relation;
(B) review of flashing;
(C) cladding;
(D) windows/glazing;
(E) weather barriers;
(F) vapor barriers;
(G) insulation;
(H) energy codes; and
(I) ingress/egress.
(4) Roof Systems, which shall include the following
topics:
(A) review - rafters, roof joist, ceiling joist, collar
ties, knee walls, purling, trusses, wood I joist, roof sheathing,
steel framing;
(B) roof water control;
(C) skylights;
(D) flashing;
(E) ventilation/non-ventilation;
(F) attic access;
(G) re-roofing;
(H) slopes - step roof/low slope/near flat;
(I) materials - asphalt, fiberglass, wood shake, wood
shingle, slate, clay tile, concrete tile, fiber cement (asbestos cement,
mineral cement), metal, roll, build up, modified bitumen, synthetic
rubber (EPDM), plastic (PVC); and
(J) valleys.
(5) Plumbing Systems, which shall include the following
topics:
(A) water supply systems;
(B) fixtures;
(C) drains;
(D) vents;
(E) water heaters (gas and electric);
(F) gas lines; and
(G) hydro-therapy equipment.
(6) Electrical Systems, which shall include the following
topics:
(A) general requirements, equipment location and clearances;
(B) electrical definitions;
(C) services;
(D) branch circuit and feeder requirements;
(E) wiring methods;
(F) power and lights distribution;
(G) devices and light fixtures; and
(H) swimming pool.
(7) HVAC Systems, which shall include the following
topics:
(A) heating;
(B) ventilation;
(C) air conditioning; and
(D) evaporative coolers.
(8) Appliances, which shall include the following topics:
(A) dishwasher;
(B) food waste disposer;
(C) kitchen exhaust hood;
(D) range, cooktop, and ovens (electric and gas);
(E) microwave cooking equipment;
(F) trash compactor;
(G) bathroom exhaust fan and heater;
(H) whole house vacuum systems;
(I) garage door operator;
(J) doorbell and chimes; and
(K) dryer vents.
(9) Texas Standards of Practice, which shall include
the following topics:
(A) review of general principles and specific Texas
practice standards;
(B) inspection guidelines for structural systems;
(C) inspection guidelines for electrical systems;
(D) inspection guidelines for heating, ventilation,
and air conditioning systems;
(E) inspection guidelines for plumbing systems;
(F) inspection guidelines for appliances; and
(G) inspection guidelines for optional systems.
(10) Legal/Ethics, which shall include the following
topics:
(A) Chapter 1102;
(B) commission rules related to inspectors;
(C) agency enforcement action relating to inspectors;
and
(D) related case law.
(11) Texas Standard Report Form/Report Writing, which
shall include the following topics:
(A) use of the required inspection report form;
(B) allowed reproductions;
(C) allowed changes;
(D) exceptions from use of the form;
Cont'd... |