Education
PRE-REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED for the Education Classes. Simply register for the convention, and you're all set! ENTRY TO ALL WORKSHOPS IS ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
Legal & Ethics
Speaker: Shannon Gatewood, Certified Master Inspector®
Class Date: Friday, January 22 | 8:00 AM - 5:50 PM
Class Location: East Texas Ballroom
Class Description: This 8-hour continuing education course provides Texas real estate inspectors and apprentice inspectors with a comprehensive review of current Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) statutes, rules, and Standards of Practice (SOPs), based on the TREC “Inspector Legal & Ethics and Standards of Practice Review” manual (2025–2027, Version 3.0). The course combines lecture, group discussion, and real-world case studies to reinforce an inspector's legal and ethical obligations and to build practical competency in applying the SOPs across all major residential systems.
Content is organized into eight modules covering recent statutory and rule changes; inspector duties, professional conduct, and ethics; proper use and completion of the Texas Standard Inspection Report Form (REI 7-6); current “hot topics” affecting the profession; the TREC complaint and enforcement process; and the Minimum Inspection Requirements (SOPs) for structural, HVAC, electrical, appliance, plumbing, and optional systems. Case studies and discussion questions are embedded throughout to help inspectors apply concepts to everyday field situations.
TREC Report Writing
Speaker: Shannon Gatewood, Certified Master Inspector®
Class Date: Saturday, January 23 | 1:30 PM - 3:20 PM
Class Location: Central Texas Ballroom
Class Description: This class teaches home inspectors how to translate field findings into a clear, accurate, and legally sound report using the TREC Standard Inspection Report Form. The course covers the requirements of TREC Rule §535.223, walks through each major section of the report form (structural, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, appliances, and optional systems), and addresses the critical distinctions between deficiencies, exclusions, limitations, and recommendations. Through sample report reviews and practical writing exercises, students will strengthen their ability to write in a clear, professional, defensible tone while avoiding common pitfalls that create liability or confusion for clients.
Pre-Pour Inspections and Reading Plans (new construction)
Speaker: John Shishilla, Certified Contractor & Certified Master Inspector®
Class Date: Friday, January 22 | 8:00 AM - 9:50 AM
Class Location: Central Texas Ballroom
Class Description: Inspectors and contractors will learn how to evaluate new construction during the critical pre-pour foundation and slab phase, with instruction covering both conventional reinforced foundations and post-tension foundation systems.
Students will learn how to review and interpret construction documents, plans, and specifications and how to compare those documents with actual conditions in the field before concrete is placed.
The course will cover the key components an inspector should evaluate during a pre-pour inspection, including foundation layout and dimensions, footings and grade beams, reinforcement placement, masonry reinforcement, post-tension cables and components, vapor barriers, plumbing and utility penetrations, sleeves, embeds, and other items that will become concealed once the concrete is poured.
Students will also learn to recognize common installation defects, improper placement, damaged or missing components, plan deviations, and other conditions that should be documented or addressed before the pour.
Special attention will be given to the differences between conventional reinforced and post-tension foundation systems, including what inspectors should—and should not—evaluate when inspecting tensioning components prior to concrete placement.
This course is intended for licensed home inspectors and contractors who already have a working knowledge of residential construction and standard resale-inspection Standards of Practice. Rather than reviewing the fundamentals of a traditional home inspection, the course focuses specifically on what is different about inspecting a home during construction and what must be evaluated before the foundation and slab are permanently concealed by concrete.
Pre-Drywall (new construction)
Speaker: John Shishilla, Certified Contractor & Certified Master Inspector®
Class Date: Friday, January 22 | 10:30 AM - 12:20 AM
Class Location: Central Texas Ballroom
Class Description: Inspectors and contractors will learn how to evaluate new construction during the pre-drywall (Phase 2) inspection — the largest and most detailed of the new-construction visits. The inspection occurs after framing, roof sheathing and dry-in, and the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC rough-ins are complete, but before insulation and drywall permanently conceal the walls and ceilings.
Students will learn to verify structural framing and the continuous wind load path from roof to wall to foundation, including stud spacing and grade, plate connections, headers and beams, shear walls and bracing, truss layout and unauthorized field alterations, and connector hardware such as hurricane straps, clips, and hold-downs installed per the manufacturer's instructions.
The course covers the roof and building envelope — sheathing, underlayment and dry-in, flashing at penetrations, valleys, and roof-to-wall intersections, water-resistive barrier installation and integration, and window and door rough openings and pan flashing — as well as the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC rough-ins, which are compared against the MEP plans. Students will also learn to evaluate fire-blocking and draft-stopping placement and to identify items that must be flagged before insulation is installed.
Students will learn to distinguish rough-in deficiencies that are reportable now from items that can only be confirmed later, to coordinate the private inspection with municipal rough-in inspections and permit-card sign-offs, to apply a common-deficiencies checklist and photo standards for the phase, and to produce a clear, dated report that communicates findings to builders and superintendents in a professional, non-adversarial way.
This course is intended for licensed home inspectors and contractors who already have a working knowledge of residential construction, the TREC Standards of Practice, and construction plan reading. Rather than reviewing the fundamentals of a traditional home inspection, the course focuses specifically on what is different about inspecting a home before the drywall goes in and what must be evaluated before the framing, envelope, and rough-ins are concealed.
Final Inspections (new construction)
Speaker: John Shishilla, Certified Contractor & Certified Master Inspector®
Class Date: Saturday, January 22 | 1:30 PM - 3:20 PM
Class Location: Central Texas Ballroom
Class Description: Inspectors and contractors will learn how to evaluate new construction at the final phase — the completed home — at or near the certificate of occupancy or substantial completion, typically at or before the buyer's builder walk-through. The course covers what is different about inspecting a finished new home compared to a standard resale inspection, including items that are not to standard and cosmetic punch-list findings.
Students will learn to perform a whole-house systems inspection of the completed home tied back to the original plans and any approved changes, including the roof covering and flashing, attic ventilation and insulation, exterior grading and drainage, siding, stucco, and masonry veneer, doors and windows, decks, porches, stairs, guards, and handrails, and a structural spot-check of the visible foundation, accessible attic framing, garage door and opener, and garage-to-house fire separation.
The course covers the final check of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems — panel labeling and breaker sizing, GFCI/AFCI and smoke/CO alarm operation, service grounding, fixture and water heater operation, static water pressure, shut-offs, hose bibs, and irrigation backflow, and heating and cooling operation, thermostat function, filter access, and condensate drainage — as well as interior finishes and life-safety items such as egress windows, handrails, and guardrails.
Students will learn to flag deviations from the original plan set or approved change orders that were not visible or resolved at the earlier visits, to distinguish cosmetic builder punch-list items from safety or Standards-of-Practice-reportable findings, and to advise the client on the certificate of occupancy, final permit sign-offs, and builder's warranty documentation to retain. The course concludes with reporting and communication practices for multi-visit engagements, including presenting findings to builders and superintendents factually and without taking on a code-enforcement role or an adversarial tone.
This course is intended for licensed home inspectors and contractors who already have a working knowledge of residential construction, the TREC Standards of Practice, and construction plan reading. Rather than reviewing the fundamentals of a traditional home inspection, the course focuses specifically on what is different about inspecting a completed new home and how the final visit ties together the plan review, pre-pour, and pre-drywall inspections that came before it.
Proper Inspection and Installation of Connectors
Speaker: Billy Viars & Matt Lea, Simpson Strong Tie
Class Date: Friday, January 22 | 4:00 PM - 5:50 PM
Class Location: Central Texas Ballroom
Class Description: Ensure the structural integrity, safety, and longevity of your building projects by mastering the fundamentals of structural connections. Designed for construction and inspection professionals, this interactive course emphasizes the critical role properly installed connectors, anchors, and fasteners play in creating a seamless load path to resist structural forces. Through engaging lectures, detailed visual guides, and practical demonstrations, you will learn how high-quality installation practices provide long-term reliability and peace of mind for both builders and occupants.
This hands-on workshop equips attendees with the key skills and resources needed to spot, evaluate, and resolve real-world installation issues. You will learn how to identify common misinstallations—such as improper fastener selection or wrong hole placement—navigate manufacturer installation tools, and apply appropriate retrofit solutions when available. By the end of the class, you will be confident in verifying code-compliant connector installations and correcting errors effectively in the field.
Inspecting Decks
Speaker: Billy Viars & Matt Lea, Simpson Strong Tie
Class Date: Saturday, January 23 | 10:30 AM - 12:20 PM
Class Location: Central Texas Ballroom
Class Description: Master the essential code requirements and structural considerations needed to ensure safe, durable wood-framed residential decks. Presented by approved Simpson Strong-Tie experts, this comprehensive 4-hour course is designed for code officials, inspectors, builders, and contractors looking to sharpen their deck evaluation skills. Participants will explore the continuous load path required by Chapter 3 of the International Residential Code (IRC), examining critical structural elements designed to safely resist forces from both occupants and environmental factors.
Through interactive lectures, detailed slideshows, and practical demonstrations, attendees will gain hands-on knowledge across every component of deck construction—including ledgers, posts, joists, lateral attachments, guardrails, and stairs. You will learn to navigate key IRC reference standards, account for pressure-treated wood corrosion risks, and utilize a deck connections checklist to quickly verify proper installations or address common field errors.
The Home Inspector's Marketing Guide to AI, Google, and Getting More Inspections
Speaker: Aaron Shishilla, Wolfpack Advising
Class Date: Saturday, January 23 | 8:00 AM - 9:50 PM
Class Location: East Texas Ballroom
Class Description: Customers are out there, you just are not in front of them. They're Googling "home inspector near me," scanning reviews, and increasingly asking ChatGPT and AI assistants who to call. Even if you do appear, they're likely not converting as well as they could be into booked inspections.
This session cuts through the marketing noise and shows you exactly what moves the needle for a home inspection business, whether you're a one-man operation or running a small crew.
We will lock down the fundamentals every inspector should have in place, watch a few AI demos you can copy the moment you get home, and take a taste of the advanced plays the big firms are using so you can stay ahead of your market.
You'll leave with a prioritized list of things you can do yourself — most of them free or close to it — to show up first, earn more reviews, and cut hours of marketing busywork down to minutes.
What you'll walk away able to do:
• Optimize your business for Google and AI, such as ChatGPT & Claude.
• Convert your new visibility into real inspections like the big inspection companies.
• Continue to scale your inspection count consistently month over month.
• All while, using AI so you can save money and time.
Beyond the Clipboard: Inspecting the Structural Integrity of Your Business Numbers
Speaker: Ramon Colon, Certified Professional Inspector®
Class Date: Saturday, January 23 | 10:30 AM - 12:20 PM
Class Location: East Texas Ballroom
Class Description: Stop guessing if your inspection business is truly profitable. Designed specifically for home inspectors, this fast-paced, 2-hour interactive workshop moves past basic job checklists to evaluate the real financial health of your operations. In the first half, you will master your core financial foundations—learning how to build a bulletproof budget, read a P&L statement, navigate your Balance Sheet, and calculate your company's actual book value.
The second half shifts to business growth and margin protection. You will analyze your local market share, evaluate your booking pipeline conversion rates, and participate in a live pricing math workshop to calculate your exact Cost Per Inspection—factoring in hidden expenses like drive time, wear-and-tear, and admin hours. You'll leave with practical spreadsheet templates to ensure every job is priced for maximum profit.
Pricing Commercial Property Inspections
Speaker: Rob Claus, CCPIA® Director of Education & Instructor
Class Date: Saturday, January 23 | 1:30 AM - 3:20 PM
Class Location: East Texas Ballroom
Class Description: Are you pricing your commercial inspections based on guesswork, or are you building a profitable, sustainable business?
Join the Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association (CCPIA) for a deep dive into the financial engine of your inspection firm. This workshop moves beyond the "one-size-fits-all" pricing models often seen in residential work, offering a strategic framework tailored for the unique complexities of commercial property inspections.
What You Will Learn:
-
The P³ Method: Master our proprietary Planning, Pricing, and Profit framework. Learn how to calculate job-specific direct costs, factor in overhead, and engineer a pricing strategy that ensures your business thrives.
-
Business Intelligence: Learn to identify your direct vs. indirect expenses, perform effective market reconnaissance, and understand the crucial differences between commercial and residential pricing dynamics.
-
Strategic Growth: Discover how to transition from "hope-based" pricing to data-driven decision-making, ensuring every inspection contributes to your bottom line.
-
Interactive Application: Participate in workbook exercises to apply these methodologies to your own business, giving you actionable takeaways you can implement immediately.
Whether you are looking to refine your current fee schedule or starting your commercial journey from scratch, this workshop provides the tools to replace uncertainty with confidence. Stop leaving money on the table—learn how to build a pricing strategy that reflects the true value of your expertise and your business.
Target Audience
Commercial property inspectors, inspection business owners, and those seeking to improve financial literacy and business sustainability in the inspection industry.
Evaluating Spray Foam Attics for Proper Application and Deficiencies
Speaker: Sean Fogarty, Owner of Fogarty Inspection Services Group
Class Date: Saturday, January 23 | 4:00 PM - 5:50 PM
Class Location: East Texas Ballroom
Class Description: Home inspectors will learn how to evaluate spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation in residential attics, with instruction on identifying the product, understanding how it is intended to be applied, recognizing the conditions that indicate a poor or incomplete installation, and understanding the additional steps that may be needed to correct them.
Students will learn to distinguish open-cell from closed-cell foam, understand the typical R-value each provides per inch, and recognize why open-cell foam is the most common choice for attic applications. The course reviews the general building code requirements that apply to spray foam attics, including unvented (conditioned) attic assemblies, required foam thickness, ignition and thermal barrier requirements, and the role of building plans and energy calculations in establishing what should have been installed.
The course then focuses on the field evaluation: verifying coverage and thickness, identifying voids, gaps, shrinkage, poor adhesion, off-ratio or improperly cured foam, coverage over vents, flues, and electrical components, and the moisture, ventilation, and HVAC conditions that indicate the attic is not performing as a sealed assembly.
Special attention is given to retrofit applications, where spray foam is added to an existing home. Students will examine the questions an inspector should ask when foam has been added over or alongside existing fiberglass insulation, how the change affects the way the building exchanges air, the age and leakage of the home, seasonal conditions, duct leakage and dew point in a newly sealed space, gaps concealed by the old insulation, pressure changes that can pull contaminated air into the living space, the effect of two separate insulated environments, and how the change affects HVAC performance and air exchange.
This course is intended for licensed home inspectors who already have a working knowledge of residential construction, attic ventilation, and the Standards of Practice. Rather than reviewing the fundamentals of an attic inspection, the course focuses specifically on what is different about a spray foam attic and what an inspector should document and recommend for further evaluation.
Slab on Ground Installer & Inspector
Speaker: Bobby Irvin, Post-Tensioning Institute
Class Date: Friday, January 22 | 8:00 AM - 5:50 PM & Saturday, January 23 | 8:00 AM - 5:50 PM
Class Location: West Texas Ballroom
Class Description: This 2-day workshop is designed specifically for those involved with the installation and stressing of single strand unbonded post-tensioning systems for residential and light commercial slab-on-ground (SOG).
Topics covered include:
-
Introduction to PT fundamentals and systems
-
Properties of prestressing steel
-
Construction documents
-
Installation practices
-
Stressing operations
-
Tendon finishing
Fire Separation
Speaker: Derrick McMullen, Certified Professional Inspector®
Class Date: Saturday, January 23 | 1:30 PM - 3:20 PM
Class Location: Central Texas Ballroom
Class Description: Home inspectors will learn how to recognize, evaluate, and report on the fire separation and fireblocking conditions that the Texas Real Estate Commission Standards of Practice require them to address, with emphasis on the separation between an attached garage and the residence, between the garage and its attic, and between dwelling units in two-family, multi-family, and townhouse construction.
Students will review the applicable TREC Standards of Practice provisions in §535.228 and the International Residential Code sections (Chapter 3, Fire-Resistant Construction, and Chapter 10, Chimneys and Fireplaces) on which those provisions are based, including the requirements for doors between the garage and residence, self-closing devices, duct and other penetrations, gypsum board on garage walls and ceilings, habitable space above a garage, fire protection of floors, under-stair protection, chimney fireblocking, and common walls between attached dwelling units.
Using field photographs, the course will show students how to identify fire-rated door and attic access labels, how to recognize compromised separation caused by remodeling, plumbing and electrical work, HVAC equipment and registers, damaged or missing gypsum board, and unsealed penetrations, and how to distinguish what can be observed during a visual inspection from what is concealed.
Students will also review ICC technical opinions on frequently debated conditions, such as electrical panels and outlet boxes in the separation wall and the materials used to fill annular spaces, and will practice applying sample report language for common findings.
This course is intended for licensed Texas home inspectors who have a working knowledge of residential construction and the TREC Standards of Practice. The course does not teach code-compliance inspection; it focuses on what a TREC inspector is required to report as deficient and on the code background needed to recognize and explain those deficiencies.
InterNACHI® Is the only home inspector training school that is accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. InterNACHI® holds accreditation for all of its online training courses, inspector exam, and inspector certifications by the U.S. Department of Education through the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET).
