Benefits of ASHI Membership
Here are some of the many benefits that ASHI members receive
Your Membership
Education
Chapter Involvement
Communications
ASHI Interfaces with Government and the Public
ASHI Endorsed Products and Services
Marketing Tools for Member Use
Specialty Inspection Tools for ASHI Members
ASHI is There to Answer Your Questions
Referral Service – ASHI’s “Find a Home Inspector” Section of the ASHI website
This feature on the homepage of the ASHI website is one of the most widely used benefits of membership. As an ASHI Certified Inspector (ACI), and as an Associate with Logo Use or Associate, your name and contact information will come up in the list when home owners, home buyers and real estate professionals select your city/state or zip code. You will be amazed at how many referrals you will receive.
www.ashi.org
ASHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics
The ASHI Standards are recognized as the pinnacle for home inspecting. The standards identify in detail what must be, should be, and what does not have to be included in a residential home inspection. All ASHI members are required to subscribe to these standards. The ASHI Standards are the basis for licensing laws in a number of states. (Printable in English or Spanish)
www.homeinspector.org/standards/default.aspx
ASHI Standards of Practice Education Module
This 50-question education module is provided to ASHI members to assure you that you understand the ASHI Standards of Practice. Completing the exam is part of the process of advancing to the ASHI Certified Inspector (ACI) certification. Available to ASHI members only.
www.homeinspector.org/education/default.aspx
Membership Advancement
All ASHI members join as an Associate – regardless of your training or experience in the home inspection profession. Members cannot immediately advance to the Associate with Logo Use category and to the ASHI Certified Inspector (ACI) certification. Advancement is based on successful completion of the National Home Inspection Exam, Standard of Practice Education Module and passing the verification process of inspection reports. ACI’s are fully certified by the National Commission on Certifying Agencies (NCCA), a third-party independent certifying agency. Being the only association for home inspectors accredited by NCCA allows certified inspectors to use the ACI acronym.
www.homeinspector.org/join/categoryreqs.aspx
Logo Use – The ASHI Gold Logo
As an ASHI Certified Inspector (ACI) you will have full use of the ASHI Gold logo – on your website, your literature, your vehicle and your ASHI clothing. This logo is recognized across North America as the Gold Standard in home inspecting. Real estate professionals often recommend only ASHI members.
Available to ASHI Certified Inspectors
Logo Use – ASHI Associate with Logo Use
As an ASHI Associate with Logo Use you will have full use of the standard black ASHI logo. This identifies you as an Associate with Logo Use with ASHI.
Available to ASHI Associate with Logo Use members
National Home Inspector Exam
This exam, monitored by the Examination Board for Professional Home Inspectors is a requirement for advancing to the ASHI Certified Inspector (ACI) membership level. Successfully completing this exam is an indication of your mastery of the essential subject matter of building systems.
www.homeinspectionexam.org/
Home Inspection Exam Prep
For anyone who wants to be prepared to take the National Home Inspection Exam, this book offers 1,500 practice problems.
Available to ASHI members in the Online Marketplace at http://3elitho.com/ashi/?L=B&P=44052&O=336474
Report Verification Service
For advancing to the ASHI Certified Inspector (ACI) and Associate with Logo Use membership categories, you must have five of your recent residential inspection reports verified by an ASHI verifier. This is an excellent opportunity for you to determine the effectiveness and accuracy of the reports you provide your clients – and, successful verification provides part of your advancement to ACI membership.
Contact Russell Daniels at Russelld@ashi.org
Voting Rights of ASHI Members
ASHI members who are in the ASHI Certified Inspector (ACI), Associate with Logo Use and Retired membership categories possess the benefit of exercising your vote on key Society matters, including the annual officer election and any ASHI Bylaw revisions.
Contact Russell Daniels at Russelld@ashi.org
Member-Get-a-Member Rewards
As an ASHI member, you can receive a $50 gift card for every home inspector that you bring into ASHI membership or the ASHI School. You become an ASHI/ ASHI School ambassador.
Available to ASHI members in the Members Only area at http://www.homeinspector.org/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fmembersonly%2fdefault.aspx
ASHI Business Operations Survey
Every second or third year, ASHI conducts a Business Operation Survey by sending a questionnaire to all current ASHI members, and compiling member responses. The resulting Survey is made available at no charge to participants, and at a cost to non-participants after a delay of several months. Participating members can then see how their business practices compare with industry averages.
Available to ASHI members in the Online Marketplace at http://3elitho.com/ashi/?L=B&P=44052&O=336474
ASHI Affiliate Membership
ASHI provides basically two types of membership opportunities – for home inspectors and for vendors to the home inspector members. Affiliate members are provided with a number of ways to beneficially reach home inspectors with information on the products and services they offer – through listing in the directory, advertising venues, and reduced registration as exhibitors at ASHI’s annual InspectionWorld® conference and member pricing for ASHI CE course approval.
http://www.homeinspector.org/docs/Affiliate-Membership-2010.pdf
ASHI Affiliate Member Booth Pricing
Affiliate members receive the member booth pricing for exhibiting at ASHI’s annual conference and trade show, InspectionWorld®. Non-Affiliates pay a higher rate.
www.inspectionworld.com/
Education – ASHI e-Learning Catalog
ASHI e-Learning Catalog provides dozens of online CE modules on all inspection topics, at low member prices. Earn 2 ASHI CEs for each online module you complete. This online education library also contains audio recordings and offers a series of webcasts.
www.homeinspector.org/education/elearning.aspx
Education – Smart Track
Smart Track offers 10 free online modules covering the core subjects of ASHI's Standard of Practice; earn 2 ASHI CE credits for each module you complete. Approved for state CEs.
www.homeinspector.org/education/smarttrack/default.aspx
Education – ASHI@Home
ASHI@Home is an ASHI-endorsed inspection training curriculum provided by Carson Dunlop Associates; 10 full courses are available, one in each of the basic inspection training areas; each may be taken independently, either online or with print notebooks and online testing; each course provides between 35 and 80 hours of training, with a total of 540 hours. Approved for ASHI CEs.
www.homeinspector.org/education/homeinspectionschool/default.aspx
Education – The ASHI School
The ASHI School offers live classroom training at locations across the U.S. Start your inspection career with the 120-hour home inspection course that combines online pre-study with 10 days of classroom and practical field inspection training; passing the exam qualifies you for state licensing in some states and your tuition includes one year membership to ASHI, one year usage of professional Inspectors software, and a six month start-up of a web site. The ASHI School also offers live classroom specialty training in such areas as radon, mold and commercial inspections. The school creates a pathway for successful home inspectors.
http://www.theashischool.com
Education – Courses Approved for ASHI CE Credit
ASHI approves for ASHI CE credit dozens of courses that are offered by ASHI chapters and by numerous other education providers.
For a list of approved courses, go to www.homeinspector.org/join/approvedcourses.aspx
Education – ASHI Standards of Practice online review module
ASHI Standards of Practice online review module provides you with excellent practice in passing the SOP test needed to advance to become an ASHI Certified Inspector (ACI).
www.homeinspector.org/education/sopmodule.aspx
Education – InspectionWorld®
InspectionWorld® conference is an annual event that provides you with 20 ASHI CE credits by attending the three days of education sessions. InspectionWorld® is held each January, and includes 45 education sessions and much more – the vendor trade show, pre-conference educational training, spouse tours, social events and plenty of networking opportunities. Most courses are approved for state CEs, and by many industry associations.
http://www.ashi.org/inspectionworld
ASHI Member Conference Registration Pricing
All ASHI members receive the member conference registration pricing to attend ASHI’s annual conference and trade show, InspectionWorld®. Non-members pay a higher rate.
www.inspectionworld.com/
Chapter Search on ASHI website – Search for a chapter in your local area
Locate an ASHI chapter, the current chapter officers and when the chapter holds meetings.
www.homeinspector.org/chapters/chapters.aspx
Chapter Participation
Chapters are the places where the one-on-one meetings happen at ASHI. There are some 86 ASHI chapters across the U.S. and Canada. Many meet bi-weekly or monthly, others quarterly. You will share time together, receive educational programming, and compare notes on your profession. And there are always opportunities to become involved in chapter leadership and ASHI provides the training at the annual Leadership Training Conference. and resources for chapter educational events.
www.homeinspector.org/chapters/default.aspx
Chapter Discussion Boards
Chat online with fellow chapter members.
www.homeinspector.org/forum
Chapter Events
The latest in chapter meeting information is always available.
www.homeinspector.org/events/default.aspx
Chapter Leadership
You can become as active as you want in your local chapter structure. Over time you can run for leadership positions in the ASHI Council of Representatives, including Council members and Council leaders. It is the Council members who elect members to the ASHI Board of Directors.
Contact Russell Daniels at Russelld@ashi.org
Parallel Inspections
This program was developed by ASHI to provide an opportunity for ASHI Associates to participate in real inspections under the guidance of an ASHI Certified Inspector.
www.homeinspector.org/education/parallel/default.aspx
The ASHI Reporter – ASHI’s Monthly Print/Electronic Journal
Each month you receive another wealth of information on home inspection topics and events, with numerous special features, such as “Postcards from the Field,” that keep you aware of how alive and changing your profession is. Search the archives for an abundance of technical information.
www.ashireporter.org/
ASHI’s First Thing – Your Monthly Benefits/News Update
Each month you receive this email digest of all the major activities and benefits of your ASHI membership – with special highlight links to topics of importance in the weeks ahead.
Contact Steve Hawkins at steveh@ashi.org
ASHI’s Industry News – Your Weekly Update of Trends of Interest to Home Inspectors
Each week you receive this email reporting of the latest trends in the housing market, consumer preferences, and world and national economic developments – selected from well-known news sources. ASHI wants you to be aware of trends that might bring you more business.
Contact Steve Hawkins at steveh@ashi.org
Social Media - More ways to stay connected
Stay connected 24/7 with ASHI’s social media information sites – Facebook, Linked-In, Twitter and YouTube.
http://www.ashi.org//
Discussion Forum
Available only to members, you can ask questions and provide answers to dozens of topics and hundreds of questions in the areas of building technical, specialty technical, report-writing, business management, chapter activities, membership questions and general topics.
Available to ASHI members in the Members Only area atwww.homeinspector.org/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fmembersonly%2fdefault.aspx
Technical Links
ASHI provides you with hundreds of links to articles and reports on inspection and home component issues.
http://www.homeinspector.org/resources/category.aspx?cat=tech
Legislative and Regulatory Support – States
Whenever state legislation is proposed for professional licensing, ASHI has a standing committee that will work with home inspectors in the state to best guide the process – either to fair and effective legislation, or to a state realizing that perhaps licensing is not required.
Contact Steve Hawkins at steveh@ashi.org
Legislative and Regulatory Support – Federal
A number of federal agencies are active in areas that affect home inspectors and the home inspection profession. Often new specialty inspection opportunities arise from these agencies. ASHI maintains Washington D.C. representation to both inform ASHI officers of developments and to present ASHI positions to the appropriate governmental representatives.
Contact Frank Lesh at frankl@ashi.org
State Regulations
To practice home inspection in many states requires a state license. Check what the requirements are in each state.
www.theashischool.com/content/home-inspection-classes/state-requirements.aspx
Public Relations Support
ASHI is able to reach consumers, realtors, and the general public with the message that ASHI represents the Gold Standard in home inspecting. Through public appearances by ASHI officers, special coverage of inspection topics by print, radio, television and social media, ASHI continuously gets its message of excellence out.
Contact Steve Hawkins at steveh@ashi.org
E&O Insurance Through BRP – ASHI Endorsed
ASHI Endorsed Vendor Business Risk Partners (BRP) offers discounted E&O and general liability insurance, and other specialty inspection insurance.
www.homeinspector.org/resources/partners.aspx
Auto and Home Insurance Program – ASHI Endorsed
ASHI Endorsed Vendor Kemper offers ASHI members a discounted group rate on auto and home insurance.
www.homeinspector.org/resources/partners.aspx
Health Insurance Programs – ASHI Endorsed
ASHI Endorsed Vendor ASA Health Benefits offers benefits provided by top insurance companies in all 50 states.
www.homeinspector.org/resources/partners.aspx
LegalShield Legal Protection Program – ASHI Endorsed
ASHI Endorsed Vendor LegalShield is able to negotiate comprehensive legal services with dedicated law firms nationwide at a fraction of what they traditionally cost.
www.homeinspector.org/resources/partners.aspx
BuildFax Property Permit Listing – ASHI Endorsed
ASHI Endorsed Vendor BuildFax is the only provider of standardized building permit data. No need to visit your local building department. This is a report the home inspector can provide their clients.
www.homeinspector.org/resources/partners.aspx
Magazine Subscription to the Journal of Light Construction – ASHI Endorsed
ASHI Endorsed Vendor JLC offers ASHI members a discounted subscription.
www.homeinspector.org/resources/partners.aspx
Yellow Pages Advertising Program – ASHI Endorsed
ASHI Endorsed Vendor BV&K Direct enables ASHI members to place a group trademark or tradename advertisement with your fellow ASHI members in your local yellow pages publication.
www.homeinspector.org/resources/partners.aspx
Consumer Brochures – Market Yourself
Distribute these information pieces on topics such as “What is involved in a Home Inspection” and “Home Maintenance Hints.” Brochures can be custom imprinted with your contact information and company logo.
Available to ASHI members in the Online Marketplace at http://3elitho.com/ashi/?L=B&P=44052&O=336474
Realtor Brochures – Market Yourself
Distribute these information pieces to your local real estate community. Brochures can be custom imprinted with your contact information and company logo.
Available to ASHI members in the Online Marketplace at http://3elitho.com/ashi/?L=B&P=44052&O=336474
Vehicle Magnetic Decals – Market Yourself
Various sizes and styles are available to instantly convert your vehicle into an official ASHI inspector vehicle.
Available to ASHI members in the Online Marketplace at http://3elitho.com/ashi/?L=B&P=44052&O=336474
Jackets, Shirts and Caps – Market Yourself
These superior quality clothing items can be imprinted with ASHI logo to identify you in all places you go as an ASHI inspector.
Available to ASHI members in the Online Marketplace at http://3elitho.com/ashi/?L=B&P=44052&O=336474
Inspection Tool Kits
Various packages of the basic tools you need in your inspection business.
Available to ASHI members in the Online Marketplace at http://3elitho.com/ashi/?L=B&P=44052&O=336474
Client Survey Cards
Hand these evaluation cards out to your inspection clients. The client completes and drops the prepaid cards in the mail to ASHI, where you are entered into a drawing to receive a gift card prize.
Available to ASHI members in the Online Marketplace at http://3elitho.com/ashi/?L=B&P=44052&O=336474
Anniversary Media Release - Template
Use this customizable media release to place announcements in your local media of your years of service to the community as a home inspector. Every time the media pick up a submitted release, you gain free local publicity.
Available to ASHI members in the Members Only area at www.homeinspector.org/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fmembersonly%2fdefault.aspx
Media News Release - Template
Use this customizable media release for any special event you are conducting or participating in. Every time the media pick up a submitted release, you gain free local publicity.
Available to ASHI members in the Members Only area at www.homeinspector.org/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fmembersonly%2fdefault.aspx
Print Advertising – Template
These templates give you some basic copy and layout ideas for ads you intend to place in local print media.
Available to ASHI members in the Members Only area at www.homeinspector.org/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fmembersonly%2fdefault.aspx
Radio Advertising – Template
These templates give you some basic copy for creating radio advertising spots.
Available to ASHI members in the Members Only area at www.homeinspector.org/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fmembersonly%2fdefault.aspx
Virtual Home Inspection Demonstration
This unique ASHI-designed tool provides consumers and realtors with an overview of what a home inspection consists of. Use this link to promote your home inspection business
www.ashi.org/customers/vhi_tour.asp
Can You Find the Defect – Website Graphic
These eye-catching quizzes can be downloaded and placed on your website. They help paint the picture of what you, the home inspector, might find in your daily inspection work.
Available to ASHI members in the Members Only area at www.homeinspector.org/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fmembersonly%2fdefault.aspx
Booth and Banner Rentals
For ASHI members or chapter representatives who would like an “instant” tabletop or booth display, these items are available to rent.
Available to ASHI members in the Members Only area at www.homeinspector.org/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fmembersonly%2fdefault.aspx
Inspection Products and Services Directory
This is your source for any products or services you will need in your business, from reporting software to tools to insurance options. This is the market place for ASHI’s Affiliate members. A directory of links is always available, and a print copy of the directory is also produced for members.
www.homeinspector.org/resources/category.aspx?cat=prod
Pool Inspection Standards
Use these specialty inspection standards that have been approved by the ASHI board.
Available to ASHI members in the Members Only area at www.homeinspector.org/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fmembersonly%2fdefault.aspx
Pre-Drywall Inspection Standards
Use these specialty inspection standards that have been approved by the ASHI board.
Available to ASHI members in the Members Only area at www.homeinspector.org/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fmembersonly%2fdefault.aspx
Radon Mitigation Checklist
Use this specialty checklist that has been approved by the ASHI board.
Available to ASHI members in the Members Only area at www.homeinspector.org/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fmembersonly%2fdefault.aspx
Home Energy Score
ASHI is currently a Partner organization in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Home Energy Score program. ASHI members who possess energy assessment credentials may apply to become a Home Energy Score Qualified Assessor. The assessments can be included as part of a standard home inspection or conducted as a separate assessment.
Contact Steve Hawkins at steveh@ashi.org
Information and Support are a Phone Call Away
ASHI staff is available during regular Central Time work hours.
Call 847-759-2820