Home Inspector Certification Guide: Requirements, License and Training

You are here because you’ve made one of the biggest and forward-moving steps in your entire life.

Am I exaggerating?

No. Believe me when I say that this is your eye-opener. You are interested in knowing how to get home inspector certification, right? If so, it’s about time you drove yourself into the profession.

Let’s assume that you’re the one interested. You’ve been good at noticing when something in a house is not functioning well. You’ve been doing your assessment so well, such that no one called a professional home inspector. And all the way, the defects guided perfect renovations. If that’s it, time to go pro.

Albeit slow, home sales and construction activity have been going up. What this should communicate to you is that certification will put you in the middle of a flourishing industry. Very lucrative, right? In this article, you will enjoy an outline of all the nitty-gritty details you need to know.

This article is the one-stop destination for all your Home Inspection License related questions. I’ll be covering:

I’ve also attached a video featuring over the shoulder look at inspecting with a certified inspector.

I’m covering everything you asked and everything you meant to ask. You got the energy and determination to become a successful home inspector. Everything you needed was an organized and unbiased source of information to guide you through—a small push to help you plan the road-map. This article offers a whole lot to help you jump start.

You’ll feel well informed and confident about making your career decision after reading this in-depth article. Use the table of content to navigate through the page. Don’t forget to bookmark this page for future reference. Share with your friends and family and help them make the best decision.

Now, shall we?

A home inspector certification license is your way into the center of the action. As you may already know, a license makes any trade a legitimate one. You are a cut above the rest if you have certification in anything, even emoji translation. If you’re not a licensed home inspector, it’ll be a bit hard convincing a house owner that you are the deal.

So, what are the licensing requirements? To answer this in the fewest words possible, you need to pass an exam. If you are in any twenty-nine states, licensing will require you to sit and pass the NHIE test. Here’s some pointers for you:

Here, the exam tests the description and inspection of the drainage, patios, driveways, walkways, retaining walls, and vegetation.

On hand here is looking at flashings, eaves, cladding, fascia, trim, soffits, windows, and doors. You also look at porches, balconies, stairs, decks, and stoops.

You look at the covering, skylights, flashing, and other penetrations (such as drainage systems). Also, these are looked at: the foundation, floor structure, walls, vertical support structures, and roof-and-ceiling structures.

This covers the following electrical services: lateral, drop, entrance, equipment, and grounding. Also, service panels and sub-panels are tested, together with wiring methods. Alternative energy systems and devices, equipment, and fixtures (like lights) are not left out. Also, you look at the cooling and distribution systems.

This is the HVAC area. You look at heating, thermal insulation, vent systems, and items such as humidifiers.

Also, you pay attention to attic vent systems, roof assemblies, and crawl spaces.

These tasks look at the exhaust systems of areas such as the bathroom and kitchen. Also, indoor air management systems like heat recovery ventilators come up here. Plumbing involves the water supply distribution system, fixtures, and faucets. Water heating and fuel storage and distribution systems are also taken care of here.

Among other interior system components, you look at walls, floors, steps, stairways, installed countertops, and cabinets. You also get tested on smart homes.

Areas addressed are solid-liquid, and gas fuel-burning fireplaces and appliances.

The area covered is the proper conditions and operation of the fixed kitchen installs/appliances.

This area looks at how to inform the client of the findings. Also, you should describe building systems and components by their distinguishing characteristics to the client.

You need to explain the inspection methods and their limitations in the inspection report. Also, you should be able to inform the client what was uninspected and why.

For the inspected systems and components, you talk about why some are not functioning well or faulty.

This is very straightforward – you see what requires to be checked and note it down.

This area asks you to describe to the client what could happen if the affected areas remain unfixed.

Here, you need to establish the rights and responsibilities of both the inspector and client by obtaining a written pre-inspection agreement. The agreement may cover areas such as scope, limitations, and terms of service.

In this task, the focus is on fundamental legal concepts, conflicts of interest, financial protection, and the client’s best interest.

When you’ve sat and got 500 (or above), you can present your score report to the relevant state department. This proof of excellence should start the licensing process and get you certified. Depending on your state, you may be required to meet other pre-licensing needs such as:

This need is state-specific. The grade is not an item of consideration, so don’t worry about that letter etched on your credentials. What is necessary is that you must have completed high school, whichever the curriculum.

Some states will require you to have completed home inspection training with an approved platform. If you are in Florida or Arizona, continuing education is a must.

In around 24 states, you need to have this policy. If you accidentally damage a client’s property while doing the inspection, the policy covers the claims. It also takes care of you if you get injured during the work. The institution where you do your home inspector course should guide you to be insured. If that doesn’t work, you can always look up insurance companies and make inquiries on the same. The average monthly premium payment is $42.

If you’re from South Carolina, Indiana, Kentucky, or Florida, this one’s for you. Mostly, a check would want to identify whether you have a criminal record. Other background check aspects are employment history and education. You might want to look up the different types of background checks.

The amount of interest is the NHIE $225 fee. Where you’re registering via call or online, you pay PSI. PSI is a company contracted by EBPHI to administer tests.

Other payments are state-specific. For example, the state of Indiana requires that you make a $50 payment as your license application fee. It gets crazier in Alabama, which charges a whopping $300. Explosive, right?

Completing an application form. The NHIE registration is a two-page document that you need to fill. Some of the details required on the application are:

Upon completion, you should forward the information to PSI, together with the payment details.

You don’t need to subscribe to any organization to get certified. However, some home inspection course providers like InterNACHI promote the idea of subscribing to their membership program. It is just for anyone who wants a jump-start.

Among other bodies, home inspection gets regulated by boards, commissions, or departments. The laws (or regulations) are specific to states. In Connecticut, for example, the Department of Consumer Protection regulates home inspectors. Arkansas, in its right, uses a code law.

In most states, there is little or no mention of a certified professional home inspector’s rights. However, and as a US citizen, the federal labor laws apply to you. If you are employed, here are some of your rights

That’s right – there are benefits and splendid ones for that matter. And, you deserve to know them. I mean – shouldn’t you understand what’s in it for you? Why exactly is this house inspection certification license such a razzle-dazzle thing?

Well, here’s a list of benefits that may make a hit on you:

With a license, you join a sublimely rewarding salary bracket. The latest stats have it that, on average, a certified home inspector makes around $61,091 annually.

Every time you do an inspection, the charge can be anything around $450. The hourly rate is at an estimated $29. What you should know is that these figures change depending on:

Suppose you are in Alabama, a year of inspection can earn you $82,510. That’s astounding. Anyway, many areas reward home inspection services generously. Don’t move to Alabama just yet.

A bigger house means that you do more inspection work, therefore more working hours. And, the more you work, the more the bucks.

The older the building, the more the problems. And the more the issues, the more time an inspection takes. Once you get certified, keep wishing that you get called up to inspect a house that is along in years.

Do you see those figures? You won’t get them unless you’re certified. Trust me.

Home inspection is under the Construction and Building Inspectors industry. Figures such as the number of housing units in a country control the industry. The number of houses is in the millions. And it is upping like nobody’s business.

if you go for house inspector certification, there will always be a market. Always.

Stats from the Labor Bureau speak well about the industry. In at least eight years, projections say that this industry’s employment will have grown by 7%. I know you may think that 7% is little, but it isn’t.

It is a faster growth percentage than all the other occupations combined (5%).

Real estate is full of life – people are moving in and out, buying and selling houses. So, both realtors and homeowners make many call-ups to certified home inspectors every day.
If you’ve read all that and don’t feel secure already, you’re not feeling right.

Go for security.

Control is the one thing everyone wants while working. Control gives you the freedom to do what you want at a time of your choice. Many workers don’t enjoy that freedom, but you are about to be free.

A self-employed certified home inspector does not struggle with the stress of a nine-to-five job.

If one inspection takes an average of 2.5 hours, you can decide how many you want to do in a day. With proper planning, you will doubtlessly get time to enjoy a hobby, learn an extra skill, or even do a part-time gig.

Do you want to take control of how you work? Make a break for it – get certified!

It’s not about the nursery rhyme – it’s about you. Clients will be looking in your direction when they need a home inspector. Clients are more likely to settle for a professional than a wishy-washy inspector.

You can only become the sort-after professional if you get certified.

When you’re a cut above the rest, your services will be sought more, easing the stress of staying a long time without getting a job.

If you become certified and your house needs an inspection, who do you call? Of course – you!

If you become a pro inspector, you can use your skills and accreditation to examine your own house. It will help in saving on the cost of seeking house inspection services.

Why don’t you help your family or friends dodge that expense?

Home inspection work requires an eye for detail, and that’s it. Honestly, you work less and make more in this job. The muscles you move the most are the six or seven extraocular ones that control your eyeball movement.

In your home inspection activities, you don’t have to break you back or twist your joints to earn a living. Your shirt may catch some dust, but not as much as a firefighter’s uniform would.

If you get certified, you will show yourself into this painless job. No pain, no gain is not a mantra you’ll chant here.

If the above list doesn’t blow you away, they should blow you into going for a license.

Seriously – they should.

6 Definitive steps to Become a Certified Home Inspector 

It’s time for congratulating you on becoming a certified house inspector!

The home inspection industry is multi-faceted in terms of licensing. Some state governments have single or multiple licensure options. In this section, you will learn about the following types of home inspector certification licenses:

It is the coincident license for the 34 regulated states. Here are some of its specifics:

With this license, you warm up for full home inspection duties. Here are some of its details:

If you have a valid license from another state, this is your option. Where you’re coming needs to have the same or exceeding standards as those of Connecticut or Massachusetts.

Dear Alabamian – this is yours if you need to engage in home inspection trade:

Hey Texas? Do you use this as a reference for Home Inspection?

Looking at the above types, it means that you specify the kind of registration you’re making. However, it depends on your state.

When you’re officially licensed, you can choose how you’ll step into the industry. Like many other professions, the industry operates in a twofold style. You can either work as a sole proprietor or seek employment at an already-established company.
This section will throw light upon the differences between these two sides of the same coin. The contrast will be made based on the following:

Let’s look at each one of them.

Being self-employed is on par with starting a business. And starting anything is quite distressing – just like a baby’s teething. Look at these two concerns that may drive you up the wall if you go solo:

Acquiring a dependable vehicle – how else will you move from site to site? With a car comes the need to buy gas, go for vehicle servicing – you get it, right?

Getting office space – where do you expect to do all the report writing, client tracking, and financial management? Then, office space will attract utility costs, won’t it?

Good for you if you have an outstanding study.

We all enjoy it when work is made easy, especially by technology. Some great tools and systems exist to make home inspection an almost-effortless venture.

The above concerns have one thing written all over them, and that is money. A company saves you the stress of having to source a lot of starting capital to kick-start your career. A good company will ensure that the working conditions are well enough for you to inspect with comfort.

If you’re part of a home inspection company, you can’t just make do anything you want. Not to exaggerate, but the tightness of working under instructions can choke you to death.

Imagine this: a company expects you to do three home inspections in half a day. Then, they ask you to complete reports of the work done before the close of business. Besides that, they require you to go on a long trip the following day to make an inspection. Worse still, you report to an Inspections Manager who doesn’t like you because of your inborn oomph and confidence.

Don’t feel peeved or irritated – it is only an imagination (chuckles).

If you’re self-employed, however, you have more legroom. You choose the number of inspections you want to do in a day. You can also schedule some weekend duties, which clients will surely love. Also, a solo home inspector can work at night if it’s convenient for both the client and them.

You are less likely to be hired if you’re self-employed, especially when you’re months or weeks old. A company, however, gives you a share of its glory and makes you attractable to clients. If your employer has a good track record and numerous positive feedback from past clients, duty will call sooner than later.

Also, a good company organizes for marketing personnel to handle client outreach. Self-employment means that you’ll have to read Robert Greene’s The Art of Seduction before you go out there. Whether you want to read a book or inspect a house – the choice is yours.

Companies work with deductions. As an employed home inspector, your pay is not as matching to your work as it should be. The company has to handle utility bills and pay a bunch of taxes. On a light note, some company executives may need to update their wardrobes or their iPhones.

I saw a home inspection job post by a Floridian company. The company had set the salary bracket at $64K – $69K. Further research opened me up to Gary Fuller, a home inspection expert mentioned in J. G. Ferguson’s book – Exploring Tech Careers: Real People Tell You what You Need to Know. Gary says that he knows inspectors who make $300,000 a year. Yes, three thousand grand. You can never make that kind of money when you’re working for a company.

A good company incorporates a customer service department to handle inquiries and complaints. You don’t enjoy that luxury when you’re an independent contractor. Check out this scenario:

You are a self-employed home inspector. On this balmy day, you’re in the plenum space checking the HVAC air return system when suddenly, a certain Karen calls. You ignore it the first time, but they keep on ringing. You decide to excuse yourself and pick it up. When you do, Karen engages you with so many questions about your job. All of this is happening at the displeasure of your client.

Now comes the question: on a scale of 1 – 10, how disgruntled would you feel? I guess that your answer is 76, give or take.

Most companies always have a department for human resource management. This department organizes programs and practices that are beneficial to the employee. If you’re employed, therefore, these are some items you could enjoy:

It’s not that you can’t take care of these when you’re working alone. A home inspection company will handle them more closely, giving you time to focus on work. Frankly saying, they are probably not the first things that would come to your mind. You’ll probably be thinking about advertising and doing a professional job to cultivate referrals.

With your house inspector certification, you can choose any side of the coin you want. If yours is self-employment, seek guidance from some of the best home inspector training schools. They will help you start your business and build your brand. However, if you want to be employed, there are open jobs even now as you finish this read.

Go for whichever you see fit since to each, their own.

Home Inspection is not as clear-cut as, say, painting Easter eggs. It is like bits of architecture and engineering put together. Indeed, the Labor Department categorizes it as being under the Construction and Building Inspectors industry. Seeing that this is the case, you should take home inspection certification as seriously as the country took Area 51 and its aliens a while back.

Here’s a over the shoulder video of what certified home inspectors do on site featuring Home Inspector Jim Krumm

If you’ve forgotten everything, remember this: make sure you know your state’s requirements before moving. And, make sure you’re certified before you start practicing. You could go to jail if you operate without a license. I’m sure you’re okay having your freedom.

It would be unfair if you didn’t leave a thank-you-so-much message in the comment section. Assuredly, there’s nothing you don’t know about home inspector certification. If you feel that something’s missing, post it as a question, and I’ll address it in an update. Otherwise, anyone who woke up saying they dreamt about being a home inspector – this is their read. Share and let them learn. Read more about becoming a home inspector here.

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