(a) Approval of Qualifying Real Estate Inspection Instructors.
Qualifying real estate inspector instructors are approved and regulated
as required by §535.63 of this title.
(b) Approval of Qualifying Real Estate Inspection Courses.
Qualifying real estate inspector courses are approved and regulated
as required by §535.62 of this title.
(c) 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 distance education delivery
courses.
(d) A course approved to satisfy a specific subject
matter requirement under §535.212 of this title must address
each part of the subject as described by this section.
(e) Approved Qualifying Courses of Study. The subjects
approved for credit for qualifying inspector courses are those courses
prescribed by §1102.001(5), Texas Occupations Code and the following:
(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) rules of the Commission 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;
(E) review of typical comments for each heading in
the report; and
(F) review of generally accepted technical writing
techniques.
(12) Other approved courses as they relate to real
estate inspections, which shall include one or more of the following
topics:
(A) Environmental Protection Agency;
(B) Consumer Product Safety Commission; and
(C) general business practices.
(f) Composite Courses.
(1) A course that combines more than one subject into
a composite course may be approved by the Commission to satisfy real
estate inspector core course education requirements.
(2) Composite courses will not satisfy the requirements
for coursework in specific subject areas, unless they are approved
for a specific number of hours for each subject area.
(g) Ride-along inspection course for qualifying education.
(1) A ride-along inspection course must:
(A) at a minimum consist of one full residential property
inspection per 8 hours of course credit;
(B) review applicable standards of practice and departure
provisions contained in §§535.227 - 535.233 of this title;
and
(C) consist of no more than four students per instructor.
(2) The instructor of a ride-along inspection course
may:
(A) review report writing;
(B) deliver a notice regarding the ride-along session
on a form approved by the Commission to the prospective buyer or seller
of the home being inspected.
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