ASHI Standards and Ethics Examination Handbook

American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc.

In 1976, a group of visionary home inspectors established the American Society of Home Inspectors, a not-for-profit membership organization. Their goal was to build consumer awareness of home inspection and to enhance professionalism by developing high Standards of Practice and a Code of Ethics.

Today, ASHI is the largest and most respected professional association for home inspectors in North America, with more than 5000 members. ASHI’s Standards of Practice, covering all of a home’s major systems, are specifically noted in state and federal legislation and recognized by consumers as the definitive standard for professional home inspection.

Candidates and Members of ASHI are required to abide by the Society’s Code of Ethics, which specifically forbids home inspectors from active brokerage or sale of real estate, or performing repairs on homes which they inspect. ASHI Candidates and Members also agree to perform and report inspections in accordance with the ASHI Standards of Practice. Because the ASHI logo is widely regarded as the mark of a professional home inspector, its use by the ASHI membership is also carefully controlled.

About the ASHI Standards and Ethics Examination

Administration of the ASHI S&E Exam is intended to insure that the membership of ASHI understand and will practice according to ASHI’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. Home inspectors address a personal need of consumers by inspecting their residences for safety, health and comfort. Therefore, it’s important that when consumers contact an ASHI Member, they are confident of the standards and ethics with which the inspector practices his or her profession.

The content of the examination covers the objective statements contained in the ASHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, as well as their application to situations the ordinary home inspector might encounter in everyday practice.

ASHI’s Standards and Ethics Examination is developed, maintained and administered according to accepted psychometric standards, under the guidance of Columbia Assessment Services, Inc.

Preparing for the examination

There are no study aids other than the ASHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. Copies of these documents are available:

	• On ASHI’s website at www.ashi.org
	• In the Membership Kit supplied to every Candidate on joining ASHI
	• From ASHI’s Information-on-Demand fax service at 800-743-2744, Document #1010
	• By mail from:	American Society of Home Inspectors 932 Lee Street, #101 Des Plaines, IL 60016 Membership phone: 847-759-2820

Candidates may also find it valuable to explore technical standards issues and ethical questions with colleagues as preparation for the exam, at local chapter meetings or on ASHI’s on-line Forum accessible in the Membership Only section.

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