One guest who we have come in to the class, when it is possible, is Dr. Dan Suomi of the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Dan is the regulator who oversees licensed structural pest inspectors. Dan also is an educator and believes that the more he speaks to classes, the less time he will spend citing those who make mistakes. Prevention is the word. For those who are not aware of the rules regulating home inspectors who are not structural pest inspectors as well, the home inspector may only report conducive conditions or rot. Insects that might be wood destroying may not be identified by the home inspector unless he or she is also a licensed structural pest inspector. For example, a pest inspector may report all insect damage including from termites, ants, wood boring beetles, rot and conducive conditions. A person with only the home inspector license is restricted to reporting on conducive conditions and rot and, should any insect damage be suspected it must, in a generic manner, be referred to another party such as an applicator or a structural pest inspector for further evaluation or treatment. Frequently students at BTC are, when they take the class, already licensed as structural pest inspectors. In those situations, Washington State Department of Agriculture allows the students to apply the hours in the BTC class towards their clock-hours continuing education training. This applies only to the day spent studying conducive conditions, rot and the insects. Anyone interested in the 120 hour class beginning on March 8 may call 360-752-8796 for additional information. Field training is also provided by BTC so the student, who completes the class and field training, is ready to take the state licensing exams. Thanks for stopping by,
Bellingham Technical College has another Fundamentals of Home Inspection training course beginning on March 8. This state approved course will provide instruction in structure, exterior and interior inspections, electrical, plumbing, wood stoves, chimneys, insulation and ventilation, HVAC and the laws that regulate the profession including rules that apply to home inspectors and structural pest inspectors.
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