Goal:

The goal of this course is to provide best practices and reasonable approaches for inspecting commercial properties through an examination of the International Standards of Practice for Inspecting Commercial Properties. It's titled "prerequisite" because we believe that before you conduct a commercial property inspection, you should take this course.  

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Use core definitions and terminology;

• Identify common conflicts of interest;

• Describe the objective of performing a commercial property inspection;

• Conduct property research;

• Perform a walk-through survey of the property;

• Inspect the following systems:
  
  
  

  • roof

  • exterior

  • decks and balconies

  • basement, foundation, and crawlspace

  • heating and ventilation

  • cooling

  • plumbing

  • electrical

  • fireplace

  • attic, ventilation, and insulation

  • doors, windows, and interior

  • life safety

  • cooking area.

• write an inspection report;

• use a contract;

• describe ancillary inspections and special reports.  

Course includes:

• 38 InterNACHI® CE credit hours;

• 32,516 words;

• student book; 

• inspection and writing assignment;

• research and writing assignment;

• 111 quiz questions in 20 quizzes; 

• 20-question final exam;

• instant grading; and 

• a downloadable, printable Certificate of Completion.

Inspectors will learn the following topics:

The course is broken down into sections mirroring the International Standards of Practice for Inspecting Commercial Properties and covers the following topics/categories:

• Course Objectives

• Definitions

• Terminology

• Common Abbreviations and Acronyms

• Royalty-Free Use

• Conflicts

• Substantial Compliance 

• Disclaimer of Liability

• What is an Inspection?

• Inspection

• Objective of an Inspection

• Who May Perform the Inspection?

• Varying Levels of Due Diligence

• Uncertainty

• Subjectivity

• Not an Architectural or Engineering Service

• Not a Warranty, Guarantee or Insurance

• Objective of Research

• Document Procurement

• Documents to Be Reviewed and Included

• Interviews

• Pre-Inspection Questionnaires

• Reliance

• Fraud

• Previously Generated Reports

• Objective of the Walk-Through Survey

• Access Responsibility

• Revisits

• Inspector Safety

• Roof

• Exterior

• Wood Decks and Balconies

• Basement, Foundation, and Crawlspace

• Heating and Ventilation

• Cooling

• Plumbing

• Electrical

• Fireplaces

• Attic Ventilation and Insulation

• Doors, Windows, and Interior

• Life Safety

• Cooking Area

• The Inspection Report

• Limitations, Exceptions, and Exclusions

• Ethics

• Commercial Inspection Agreement

• Request for Documents  

• Professional Services Contract

• Thermal Imaging Addendum  

• Accessibility Report

• Green Features Report

• Commercial Fire Doors

• Fireplaces and Chimneys

• Radon-Mitigation Systems

This course has been approved by:

• the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors;

• the Master Inspector Certification Board; 

• the International Association of Certified Indoor Air Consultants;

• the Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association; and 

• many government agencies and licensing boards. 

Commercial inspection contracts, forms, addenda and other documents are reviewed.  Understanding the Standards of Practice and required agreements and documents is the inspector's first and most important step toward offering commercial inspection services.  The questions within the 20 quizzes highlight the important points and concepts in each section, while the instant-grading system assures the student that s/he is on the right track.  And, in keeping with InterNACHI's commitment to Continuing Education, this course is open and free to all members and can be taken again and again, without limit.

Commercial Property Inspection Prerequisite Course 

Course # 4506

nachi.org/commercialcourse

Activity

Assignments

Estimated hours for the average student

Academic Engagement

Reading online course instructional material at 140 words per minute

3.9

Taking quizzes

3.4

Taking the exam

0.6

Conducting a directed and independent inspection study performed according to the Standards of Practice, including the development of an inspection report 

4.0

Submitting an inspection and writing assignment

0.5

Submitting a research and writing assignment

0.5

Total

12.9

Preparation

Studying and reviewing instructional material in preparation for taking quizzes and exam 

7.0

Reading the downloaded student course book including taking the quizzes with the book

4.0

Reading, research, and studying related to completing the research and writing assignment

4.0

Studying and preparing for inspection processes according to a Standards of Practice, including capturing and storing digital images with a camera or device, making observations, evaluating conditions, deducing, formulating opinions, communicating observations in written form, attaining competency in performing inspections and using an inspection checklist or software and other inspection tools in producing a report. 

10.0

Total

25.0

Sub Total

37.9

Overall Total

• 38.0 clock hours

• 38.0 InterNACHI® CE Credit Hours

• 3.8 CEU