FAQs

1. Can I review a demo of the Home Inspection Course? (http://www.avilar.com/webmentor/courses/demo/cgi-bin/lu.cgi?ACTION=COVER&STUDENT_ID=DEMO&LU_NO=0&
COURSE_NO=demo&AUTHORIZE=YES)

Yes. Go to the NIBI website .

Click on the NIBI Online banner and select the desired menu item to see a demo of the course.

2. When is the Course offered?
The NIBI Home Inspection Course is a self-paced, non-credit course with open enrollment. You can register and take the course at any time.

3. How long will I have access to a course?
The registration period for the course is 180 days.

4. What materials are provided with Course registration?
Students will receive printed copies of core Lessons for the Course. They will also receive additional texts or CD/DVD reference materials to assist with or supplement the Course completion. Access to the Course also provides the student with the ability to print out all Course Screens for future reference. Materials will be shipped via UPS ground service, or similar, upon registration.

5. Do I have to buy additional materials?
All materials required for Course Completion are included in the Course tuition.

6. Is the Course approved for pre-licensing education?
No state currently accepts online courses in lieu of classroom work for state education requirements. However, the NIBI Home Inspection does prepare students for state pre-licensing exams.

7. Is the Course approved for continuing education?
Individual Course topics are periodically submitted to the various home inspection organizations and state/provincial agencies for approval for continuing education credits. Individual Course topics have received various forms of continuing education credits. Currently credits are offered by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHIŽ), California Real Estate Inspectors Association (CREIAŽ), National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHIŽ), and the following states: CT, IL, MS, NC, NV, SD, and WI. Specific credits (subject to change) are listed in the description for each segment of the Course.

8. Do I get a certificate at the end of the course?
A transcript can be printed when a course has been satisfactorily completed. A formal validated transcript will be provided your local college or school.

9. Are the courses available on CD?
No. An online program allows flexibility to make the necessary changes to keep current. Changes in industry issues and concerns can be quickly uploaded for instant access by all students.

10. Do the courses contain video or audio?
The program has multimedia options; however, to avoid user problems with bandwidth and memory restrictions we have not incorporated them directly in the program at this time. All courses do have direct links to the websites of numerous manufacturer and industry associations. These provide extensive supplementary material and multimedia options.

11. Who will be my instructor?
Each student is paired up with an instructor or for one-on-one interaction when needed. The facilitator will be available (via email or phone) to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance. All of our instructors are experienced in the field of home inspection and home inspection education.

12. How do I contact the Course instructor?
Students can e-mail the instructor for clarification or questions on any issue directly through an email function in the Course menu. There is also a conference room where students registered at the same time can interact with each other as well as the instructor. This feature is only active when more than 10 students express an interest in such a forum for an exchange of ideas.

13. What are the computer requirements to take the Course online?
In order to take the Home Inspection Course online courses, you must have access to a computer, the Internet (a normal dial-up connection will work), and a browser, such as Navigator or Internet Explorer. You can access the course contents from any web-enabled computer. There are no other necessary plug-ins. A PC is recommended; the Course screens may not open properly with a MAC.

14. Can I access the Course from a remote computer?
You do not have to use the same computer to log-in to the course every time, all you need is the URL, your Student ID and password.

15. What constitutes a passing grade for a course?
In order to successfully complete the Home Inspection Course, a student must review 100% of the Lesson material and successfully complete all the graded Assessments. There are Assessments throughout the Course; a minimum of 75% is required for course completion. Review Questions found throughout the courses are not graded. Glossaries, Reference Files and other Appendix material that is provided to supplement the Lessons are not included in graded Assessments.

16. Is there a Final Exam?
No, student knowledge is tested by the numerous assessments throughout the Course.

17. How long should it take to go through a course?
The length of time to complete the Course will vary significantly depending on the student and their work habits. For most students, it takes 200 - 250 hours to complete the Course material. For each segment of the Course, allow a minimum of 12 to 20 hours online time to complete the basic Lessons, testing and for limited review of resources and other links. For Roofing and some other segments of the Course with significant content, it may take 20 to 30 hours to complete. Visiting all the linked websites and reviewing all trial questions and resources will add to this time.

18. Can I access the system at any time?
Once registered, the Courses will be available 24/7, until the end of the 180-day registration period. However, as with any computer-based program and any service offered on the Internet, there is always a possibility of unanticipated service interruptions. Periodically the system may also have to go off line for a short time for maintenance. Planned maintenance notices will be posted.

19. Are there Course prerequisites?
There are no specific pre-requisites for the Course. The more knowledge of residential construction that a student has the more proficient he/she will be at moving through the Course in a reasonable time period. Any recognized text on residential construction of home inspections will provide reasonable background for the Home Inspection Course.

20. Can I get a printed copy of the Course?
The text of the full course (each screen) course text can be printed, screen-by-screen. A printed version of the core lessons from the Course will be provided with registration. This will assist the student in off-line review of the material; however, the Course must be accessed to complete trial questions, use links, view inspection guidelines and lists, review reference materials, and complete graded assessments.

21. Will I be able to perform home inspections when I complete the NIBI Online Home Inspection Course?
While containing extensive information, this Course alone will not qualify a student to perform home inspections. Our program prepares students for the two widely accepted national home inspector exams are offered by the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors (EBPHI, at www.homeinspectionexam.org) and the National Institute of Home Inspectors (www.nahi.org) as well as several pre-licensing exams offered by several states. Each student must investigate the industry, ensure suitable competency with all relevant topics, observe home inspections, pass any locally required home inspection pre-licensing exams and requirements, complete trial inspections and reports, meet business obligations and complete local home inspector licensing exams and requirements before they can consider performing inspections for a fee. To review licensing requirements state by state check out EBPHI website at www.homeinspectionexam.org/regulations.html

22. How do I register?
Every student must register with a university or college that offers our courses. GES does not offer courses directly to the public. We work in partnership with colleges and universities nationwide. You must locate a school and contact them for registration information.

23. How much do the courses cost?
Our partner colleges set the prices for the courses they offer. You must locate a school for cost and registration information.

24. Why do I have to locate a school?
GES does not offer courses directly to the public. We work in partnership with colleges and universities nationwide. GES provides the course content, but the schools actually offer the courses and provide the certificates upon completion.

25. Do I ever have go to the school where I registered?
Not in most cases. Most of our partner schools offer telephone or online registration. All of our courses are delivered entirely online, so you never have to go to a class or travel to the school. Locate a school and contact them for more registration options.

26. What if there is not a school in my area that offers the course I want to take?
You can register with the school that is closest to your zip code (even if it is far away). Since GES courses are online, you never have to actually travel to the school. Most schools offer telephone or online registration. Locate a school for more registration information.

27. Can I get financial aid?
GES courses are non-credit courses, so they do not qualify for federal aid. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Locate a school for more information on this. GES has information on different funding programs at www.gatlineducation.com/loaninfo.htm.

28. What happens when I complete the course?
Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a certificate of completion from the school you registered with. You must obtain a final passing grade of 70% or greater to be awarded a certificate.

29. Am I guaranteed a job?
GES courses will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. We do not provide direct job placement services, but our instructors will help you build your resume and are available to give advice on finding your first job. Instructors will also be available to use as a professional reference upon completion of the course. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.