Section 1410.510  Pre-License Education Course Requirements of Education Providers

a)         For the purposes of this Section, the pre-license education shall be defined as a program of instruction that meets the curriculum requirements of this Part.

b)         Each course shall conform to the applicable course curriculum prescribed by Section 1410.520.

c)         The Division shall only grant approval for two types of courses that are part of an overall pre-license education program for a home inspector license.  An education provider must provide at least one of the following:

1)         A 60-hour pre-license course of instruction; or

2)         A pre-license field course which includes five field inspection events and a final field examination.

d)         Each education provider who seeks approval of a course shall submit:

1)         An application, in a manner provided by the Division, that is signed and fully completed by the applicant;

2)         The appropriate fee required by Section 1410.400;

3)         A course description, including the textbooks and material references, learning objectives, a comprehensive timed outline, and if applicable, the final examination, answer key for the examination, and final exam proctor policy;

4)         The method of delivery for the courses, such as in-person or classroom, interactive webinar, online distance education, or home-study/correspondence learning; and

5)         The name, license number, and expiration date of the education provider's license.

6)         For field inspection events, the name and license number of the home inspector supervising; and

7)         For the final field examination, the requirements as outlined in Section 1410.520.

e)         A licensed education provider shall verify student attendance for all courses presented in a classroom, by interactive webinar, or by online distance education.

f)         Education providers are not required to, but may offer a final examination for the 60-hour pre-license course that is presented in a live classroom, as an interactive webinar, or in an online distance education format.

1)         If in-person, live or interactive webinar 60-hour pre-license course is not offered with a final examination, an education provider shall verify student participation by answering or responding to questions initiated by the instructor at least once per credit hour of instruction.

2)         If an online distance education 60-hour pre-license course is not offered with a final examination, an education provider shall demonstrate proficiency with the subject matter of the course through verifiable responses to questions included in the course content initiated at least once per credit hour of instruction.

3)         If a final examination is offered for the 60-hour pre-license course, no student shall be deemed to have successfully completed the course unless the student has scored a minimum of 70% on the final examination.

g)         Each 60-hour pre-license course offered as a home study or correspondence course shall include a proctored final examination.

1)         The proctored final examination shall include a minimum of 2 questions for each credit hour.  For example, a 60-hour course would require a 120-question examination.  No student shall be deemed to have successfully completed the course unless the student has scored a minimum of 70% on the final examination.

2)         For the final examination, the proctor shall authenticate the identity of the student taking the examination; monitor the student and the examination-taking process to ensure that the examination is completed without the aid of additional persons or resources, unless approved by the Division; and protect the confidentiality of test materials and any personal information of the students.

3)         Proctors must be impartial third parties and may not be an applicant's or licensee's relative.  Proctors must also abide by all State and federal regulation as it relates to privacy when proctoring exams and processing student information.

h)         Courses may also be offered as a hybrid of two different delivery methods upon approval by the Division.  Home study or correspondence courses will not be considered as part of a hybrid delivery method.

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 2424, effective February 2, 2024)