Thread: CAHPI(BC) Research Program to Dvelop Exacting Home Insp. Examination w/ University of

FYI
CAHPI(BC) Spearheads Research Program to Develop Exacting Home Inspection Examination With the University of British Columbia – Daily Commercial News
Construction/Building — November 14, 2012

CAHPI(BC) Spearheads Research Program to Develop Exacting Home Inspection Examination With the University of British Columbia

KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Nov. 14, 2012) - The Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors of British Columbia - CAHPI(BC) - is pleased to announce the commencement of a formal collaboration with the University of British Columbia (UBC) on a research program to develop more rigorous proficiency testing for home inspectors that is more accurate, more precise, verifiable, and deliverable throughout British Columbia and that will set a new (higher) standard for competency in the home inspection industry.
"CAHPI(BC) has an exceptional verification process for candidates who wish to become licensed home inspectors, the best in the industry actually, but there is room to improve," observed CAHPI(BC) Executive Director, Ms Helene Barton. Examination of candidates to assess knowledge, skill, and analytical ability to ensure comprehension of the many technical components of a home inspection is a key part of what CAHPI(BC) requires before licensing is conferred on an inspector, requiring an 80% passing mark on 7 separate exams after proof of education. "Our exams are the best means in the industry to verify competency to date but we believe it is now time to take them to the next level and ensure exam results are verified through an accreditable examination system," states Craig Hostland, RHI, President CAHPI(BC). UBC is tasked with developing an algorithm with verifiable analytics to ensure test results reflect the competency of the candidate accurately. "Just because a person can pass an exam doesn't mean they have fully comprehended the subject matter or are able to apply it properly, if the exam is flawed. Some industry exam methods fail to prove credibility of results by being too simple or are easy to beat. Applying verification analytics to an exam process will ensure exam results are verifiably accurate to the best possible level. The provision of a Professional Home Inspection in BC, in our opinion, is serious business that starts with ensuring a home inspector is properly trained and ready to inspect," opined Craig Hostland RHI. "We are BC's largest home inspection association for a reason. Our members are committed to the pursuit of excellent and are pleased to undergird our mandate of protecting the public with this additional effort."

Contact Information
CAHPI(BC)
Helene Barton
Executive Director
250-491-3979 or toll free in BC 1.800.610.5665
Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors (BC)

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Pfft. I have yet to see a test that can accurately measure the knowledge and ability in any given situation. Tests only weed-out those that are unprepared. If a candidate were set in front of a water heater with a number of known defects and required to identify and report, that would be a valid test of water heater knowledge. Too expensive and time-consuming, so unlikely to happen.

How about a paper test to qualify someone to perform auto body work or brain surgery? No thanks.

Gunnar, it is a press release, so of course it is a little puffed up.

We have been using a Carson Dunlop test and it is getting dated. We have been discussing this for years, and were poised to adopt the NHIE test. Then it was decided that we would keep it local rather than farming the testing out to another entity.

The exam is only one step. We also require candidates to pass a test inspection of a real house. Then there is a trial period with mentoring before they can become registered HI's. We are trying to raise the bar. The govt licensing board hasn't met our expectations, so the associations need to step up.

Thanks for the information Raymond. I for one applaud any associations efforts in trying to better our industry. I hope and expect that the kind of practical hands on testing that Gunnar is suggesting WILL be a part of the test. An expasion of the present MIPR to include a standardized component as well as the test house.

Originally Posted by Gunnar Alquist

Pfft. I have yet to see a test that can accurately measure the knowledge and ability in any given situation. Tests only weed-out those that are unprepared. If a candidate were set in front of a water heater with a number of known defects and required to identify and report, that would be a valid test of water heater knowledge. Too expensive and time-consuming, so unlikely to happen.

How about a paper test to qualify someone to perform auto body work or brain surgery? No thanks.

Gunnar raises several good points.

What is being suggested is simply another form of Pyschometrics. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliability_(psychometrics)

How reliable is it? Quoted - "Reliability does not imply validity."

Quoted "In science and statistics, validity has no single agreed definition but generally refers to the extent to which a concept, conclusion or measurement is well-founded and corresponds accurately to the real world."

"Validity is important because it can help determine what types of tests to use, and help to make sure researchers are using methods that are not only ethical, and cost-effective, but also a method that truly measures the idea or construct in question."