Since the inception of home inspection licensing in Texas in the early 90's the exam taken to qualify for a license has been designed and administered by TREC. Certainly, over the last 10-15 years the test questions have been designed by the Inspector's Advisory Committee to TREC. There is now a motion afoot to replace that proprietary test with one that is referred to as the NHIE (National Home Inspectors Exam). There are certainly pro's and con's of doing such and that's what I'd like Texas inspectors to voice their opinions on. The ostensible reason, explained by a IAC representative, is to more easily ensure HI license reciprocity with the adjoining states of LA, AR & OK (NM is not a licensed state). Strangely enough I have heard no call from anyone for such reciprocity. Please, develop your own opinion and let TREC and the IAC know what that opinion is via whatever method best suits your style.
Michael: At first blush... I would disagree with a national exam. I really do not think there are very many who would need reciprocity. And... there are very few real estate agents who would even want reciprocity. I think local control, and a local focus on what is being taught and tested... is best. Just my two cents... from an agent's point of view.
Thanks for the replies...now, here's the story behind the story:
Here's the underlying issue. The 1st time Pass Rate for the Texas Professional level exam is about 34% and 50% for the RE Inspector exam. Now, it can be argued that the pass rates are low because the test is too difficult, the education is lacking or the students are stupid. Personally, I think it is predominately due to last choice but that's just me. Now, the TAC requires that a school must show a Pass Rate of 55% for their students or their accreditation will not be renewed. So, there's a gap....students not passing the exam and schools in jeopardy of losing their license to teach. The proposed solution that has been floated is to lower the exam pass threshold from 80% for Prof Inspectors exam to 75%. TREC research indicates that would bring the Pass Rate up enough to keep schools from losing their income stream, oops, I mean accreditation.
Additionally, adopting the NHIE (an easier test to pass) would further improve the 'graduation' rates of the schools. Bottom line though is that both approaches further dumb down the quality of inspectors entering the market.
Comments(2)