Report Writing, Hazard Communication, and Professional Ethics
Report Content
The candidate must know what a defensible report contains: client and property identification, scope and objective, methods and standards used, sample locations and results, interpretation against applicable standards, findings and recommendations, limitations, and the inspector's signature and credentials. The report must distinguish observed facts from professional judgment.
Hazard Communication
The report communicates hazards to occupants, owners, and contractors. Key concepts include lead hazard disclosure, occupant protection, and the requirement to inform occupants of identified hazards and recommended response actions. The candidate should understand that communication must be clear, accurate, and not overstated or understated.
Professional Ethics
Ethics questions test conflicts of interest, competence, confidentiality, and honesty. The inspector must not perform work outside their certification, must not accept work they are not competent to perform, must disclose conflicts (e.g., owning a remediation company), and must not alter or omit data. Falsifying results or pressure to change findings are classic ethics scenarios.
Traps in Questions
Common traps include recommending abatement when interim controls are appropriate, failing to disclose a conflict of interest, and reporting conclusions without supporting data. Another trap is assuming the inspector may perform both inspection and abatement on the same property without disclosure.
Rule of Thumb
If a finding would change a client's decision, it must be in the report with its supporting data - and if the inspector has a financial interest in the outcome, that interest must be disclosed in writing.