Classroom-only policies are also anti-eastern Washington. Eastern Washington (the Spokane side) is far less populated (rural) than the Seattle side of the state and so far less able to support a brick and mortar inspection school.
So are you saying that someone who has only ever seen a picture of an electrical panel or the inside of a furnace is equally qualified to someone who has had the opportunity to see, touch and work with those items?
How about you be the first person to have a straight razor shave by someone who has only seen a video?
There is a difference between training the new guy who has not had the opportunity to physically inspect something and someone who has.
He is being trained to inspect…not repair.
If he were training to be an AHJ…he would study a book. When he was ready he would take his ICC certification test…and be qualified to inspect in the specialty of his certification.
Online training is not unique to NACHI at all.
Engineering schools are providing online degrees.
Stephen, the answer to your question is “yes” … so says the U.S. Department of Education: http://www.nachi.org/online-beats-classroom.htm
It is far better for inspectors and consumers to see world experts inspecting dozens of electrical defects, at the inspectors convenience, when he/she is most ready to learn, without having to travel or stay overnight, without having to lose work, and having the ability to rewind and repeat and go at his/her own pace, spending extra time, at no cost, on those areas where he/she needs more help, at a cost that is affordable, and allows the inspector additional time and funds to take additional training… than to watch a PowerPoint presentation from a classroom chair while being periodically interrupted by the instructor’s long-winded war stories.
I am not saying online education is bad. When I take online education and have a picture presented to me for information, I understand the information because I have seen a panel or furnace or roof structure in person and can relate it to my experiences. That may not be true for say a 20 year old cellular phone salesman that is looking for a new career.
But in Washington, it is a moot point. The legislature says initial training must be classroom. The only way to change that is by new legislation, not by Board rules.
In light of the Board’s duty to protect consumers from both financial and physical harm, a duty made clear to Board members who have voluntarily agreed to accept this duty, has the Board produced a published position expressing their outrage and opposition to the consumer-harming, classroom-only legislation? Post it here and I will use it to have the law amended.
Fun debate Nick. I agree that online education for some subjects can be a great learning experience. But not all. It can be great for those that already have some practical experience in dealing with the subject.
Online classes cannot teach you the tactile experience one receives in a classroom. Of course if that classroom is ONLY powerpoint or book learning, that is different. But our industry need that tactile experience. Just like a plumber or hvac tech learning to sweat or braise their first pipe. It can’t be learned with a video or power point. It has to be felt. Same thing with inspecting.
Let’s keep it up. I hope others will join in with their opinions. Have you had that shave yet? 
Considering that home inspections are “visual only” (no pipe braizing)… I can think of no other profession where online and online video training could be more suitable.
Combine that with all the other advantages (advantages to both consumer and inspector), advantages that not only protect consumers fiscally, but as we’ve seen recently, protect consumers and inspectors physically,…and arguing for classroom-only inspection courses becomes the equivalent of mass murder.
Where do you find the language regarding the Board’s “duty to protect consumers” and where was it made clear to the Board?
There is no published position that I am aware of. Perhaps Mike O’Handley can answer that question.
Hm. Perhaps you have found a loophole whereby your conscience will allow you to continue shirking your duty.
So are you saying that a tactile inspection does not have any place in a home inspection? You don’t touch a wall or counter or electrical panel or furnace cover or water heater access panel or dishwasher or … oh heck, the list goes on and on. You don’t just inspect with your hands in your pocket.
And if you have never seen or touched one of those items in person, how would you know whether what you are feeling is proper or not?
Or are you now saying that a home owner could just send pictures or a video to you and you could write a full accurate report just from those 2 dimensional sources? With your profession and livelihood, as well as your clients purchase on the line? Only a fool would do so.
The word “Advisory” is found within the Board’s official name, no?
Grapes and picket fences. I am not on the Board. The Board is given certain authority. It is spelled out in the law. Since you are posting “facts” about their duty, I am just asking where you are getting those facts from.
No, I’m not saying that at all. What I’m saying is that in light of the fact that a brick and mortar school is unable to provide their courses for free, provide free travel to it’s students to and from the school, reimburse the student for lost work while at the school and traveling to and from it, provide their training 24/7, afford to have world experts for instructors, check every word every instructor says and edit it until it is near perfect for future students, provide free course material, put the student in dozens or even hundreds of real-life inspection situations, teach each student one-on-one at the student’s (not the instructor’s) own unique pace, schedule the courses completely at the student’s preference when the student is most ready to learn, repeat sections over and over if needed, and stop and start when the student desires, and permit the student to come back and review certain areas without limit, all at no cost… the “advisory” board should have, by now, produced a public document expressing it’s outrage that chalkboard courses are all that can be used for pre-licensing… and I’m also saying that their failure to produce such a document is nothing short of mass murder. I’m calling the members of the Washington State Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board… statistical mass murderers.
Easter Washington is “Far less populated” is pretty much an understatement.
I drive over to Spokane at least once a year, and this is what alot of it looks like, from the east side of the mountain range to just prior to Cheney.
I was hoping I could have my clients e-mail photos and videos of the home for my review, so I could just inspect from the comfort of my office.
Stephen are you saying that I would actually have to see things first hand before I could do a proper home inspection? I am so dissapointed.
You give the HI board way too much credit.
Only the legislature can change the laws, and that is questionable, at times. Those same legislators are in “over-time” spending 18K per day, because they could not come to a consensus on the state budget which is approximately a couple billion upside down.
But these are the folks that deserve what ever title you wish to bestow upon them…I have a few of my own.
Nick. I was sending you a great bottle of Camano Cellars Syrah but since a picture works just as well as the real thing, here you go. Mine was great.
I’m trying to figure out a way to get the seller up on that 2nd story 8/12 roof during the rain for the proper inspection video…
My point exactly. Classroom instructors are trying to figure out a way to get their students up there too.
NACHI.TV has figured out how to do it safely.