Regardless of the state you live in, certified home inspectors must be licensed to ensure that their knowledge and skills accurately assess homes for accurate valuation.
Some states have laxer requirements than others, so it’s important to research the requirements where you live.
The process of becoming a home inspector is rather straightforward, but it requires finishing several important tasks before starting your career.
If you’re interested in becoming a home inspector, then keep reading to learn more about the process and available online training programs!
Steps to Become a Home Inspector
The steps to becoming a home inspector include:
Step One: Understand State Requirements
As mentioned, you must first research the licenses and requirements of your state.
Each state has different licensing and training requirements, so it’s important to follow the checklist.
Some states require home inspection courses and passing an examination at the end, while others simply need on-the-job training.
Step Two: Finish a Training Program
Although not every state requires formal classroom training, those with no experience in construction, electricity, roofing, or plumbing will greatly benefit from completing a training program.
The training covers the basics of home inspection skills.
For those who wish to start a home inspection company, business management or entrepreneurial classes will also be highly beneficial.
When searching for a program, it’s essential to focus on courses that cover critical areas of the job, including:
- Business management
- Construction
- Customer service
- Home inspection ethics and standards
- Infrastructure and systems
- Types of homes
Step Three: Pass the Examination
Many states require budding home inspectors to pass the National Home Inspector Examination, which comprises 200 multiple-choice questions across multiple home inspection areas, such as professional responsibilities, reporting, site review, and property inspection. Candidates have four hours to complete the exam.
Some stricter states require applicants to pass the state and national exams before issuing the license.
Some states require completion of a training program as a prerequisite to the exam, so it’s important to learn about the requirements for your state.
Once enrolled, you will have a hard deadline so you can prepare for the test.
One major benefit of enrolling in a training program is that it helps you prepare for the examination, so taking it immediately after completing the coursework will ensure the information is fresh.
Step Four: Acquire Insurance
Regardless of whether you are starting a business or joining an established firm, you must apply for and hold errors and omissions and general liability insurance.
These policies were created to keep you employed, safe, and protect you in case of an oversight or other issue.
There are numerous national companies with various plans for home inspectors, with plenty of state insurance companies that also offer comprehensive options.
Step Five: Continue Networking
Another major benefit of completing a training program is networking with instructors, guest speakers, and classmates.
Networking is such a critical tool when first starting as a home inspector.
Other great ways to meet industry professionals are to attend real estate events to build relationships with real estate agents and brokers, and become a member of a professional organization like the American Society of Home Inspectors.
These networking contacts can help you build your career and develop long-lasting relationships.
Step Six: Gain Practical Experience
Once you have met the state requirements, the best way to gain practical experience is by joining a home inspection company.
The company will greatly expand your customer service skills and knowledge of construction and real estate.
Having a broad understanding of all aspects of home inspection will help distinguish you from the competition.
Once you have the experience and knowledge, you may wish to utilize your entrepreneurial spirit and start a company.
This will allow you to manage and control all aspects of the business, with your earnings only limited by scaling the business.
As an owner, you can manage a team and continue networking with other professionals to create strong relationships and grow your client base.
Step Seven: Continuing Education
The final step is to continue learning about your craft and keeping your license active through continuing education courses.
Not all states require continuing education, but it’s still highly beneficial to learn, maintain your knowledge of best practices, and gain new skills.
These courses often lead to certifications in specialized areas like radon testing or mold inspection.
Also, professional development will help grow your career and maintain your clients’ trust that you are the best in the business.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Home Inspector
Licensing requirements to become a home inspector vary greatly between states, ranging from completion of training programs and, sometimes, multiple exams, to simply gaining enough experience to apply.
New Jersey is one of the stricter states, so using the State as an example helps set expectations.
To become a licensed home inspector, candidates must complete 180 hours of live classes, including at least 40 hours of unpaid field inspections under a licensed home inspector, provided by the school.
The state does not recognize online courses for this licensure, so they must be entirely in-person.
After completing the training, the candidate must serve as a licensed associate for one year or longer to register and pass the National Home Inspector Exam.
Of the 200 multiple-choice questions, 25 are not graded and don’t count toward the official score.
Registration must be placed in advance since walk-ins are not allowed, and the test fee is $225.
Those who fail and wish to retake the exam must wait 30 days and re-pay the fee.
After passing the exam, candidates must apply to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs along with a $125 application fee, then the state will issue the license.
Online Training Programs
American Home Inspectors Training (AHIT)
AHIT is considered a top-tier online training program that can also be taken live for those in New York.
The comprehensive training connects students with professional home inspectors who teach the 14 critical components of home inspection and cover business and marketing.
The curriculum also includes practice inspections of real homes, mentorship, and learning through GoPro video footage.
The cost of the self-paced starts at $2,799 and can be completed in as quickly as five weeks.
ATI Home Inspector Training
The ATI Home Inspector program is another top-notch online school that takes around 2-3 weeks to complete, with the live stream classroom home inspection course completed in 7-10 days.
The curriculum covers the basics of home inspection, including how to thoroughly inspect homes, create a successful business, and get clients in your local market.
InterNACHI
InterNACHI is the most popular home inspector training because it is accredited by the U.S. Department of Education and is free for members!
InterNACHI’s database has an extensive library of individual courses that meet the requirements of states that accept online programs.
Several of the most important classes include:
- Home Inspection Business and Marketing – this course covers how to start, build, market, operate, and grow a home inspection company.
- How to Inspect Chimneys, Stoves, and Fireplaces – This class teaches students how to inspect these home fixtures safely and efficiently.
- Introduction to Home Inspections for Real Estate Professionals – Those who have a real estate background will learn the most important aspects of a home inspection, how it is conducted, what problems to look for, and how to fix them.
- Safe Practice for the Home Inspector – The focus of this class is to teach home inspectors how to be safe on the job.
Salary
The median annual income for a building inspector is $72,120 or $34.67 per hour, based on those with five or more years of experience.
The projected yearly opening for building inspectors is around 15,000, especially for those who live in high-growth cities.
These openings are mostly the result of those who exit the labor force, transfer to different occupations, or are promoted to more managerial roles.
U.S. Average Salary: $77,730
Salary Information by State
| State | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1,420 | $64,130 | $30.83 | $85,770 | $46,010 |
| Alaska | 270 | $102,330 | $49.20 | $124,840 | $73,550 |
| Arizona | 3,330 | $78,380 | $37.69 | $105,980 | $55,310 |
| Arkansas | 800 | $57,710 | $27.75 | $81,340 | $39,450 |
| California | 13,420 | $103,850 | $49.93 | $161,550 | $56,220 |
| Colorado | 3,700 | $83,300 | $40.05 | $121,740 | $54,290 |
| Connecticut | 1,430 | $97,580 | $46.91 | $129,830 | $65,140 |
| Delaware | 570 | $72,940 | $35.07 | $95,690 | $52,350 |
| D.C. | 370 | $93,030 | $44.73 | $131,810 | $68,120 |
| Florida | 13,860 | $71,350 | $34.30 | $100,280 | $45,460 |
| Georgia | 4,510 | $70,960 | $34.12 | $100,450 | $46,070 |
| Hawaii | 710 | $79,900 | $38.42 | $99,600 | $53,590 |
| Idaho | 1,000 | $71,410 | $34.33 | $102,000 | $48,840 |
| Illinois | 2,560 | $80,320 | $38.61 | $119,650 | $47,600 |
| Indiana | 2,110 | $67,530 | $32.47 | $94,350 | $44,540 |
| Iowa | 1,140 | $71,050 | $34.16 | $90,380 | $47,470 |
| Kansas | 840 | $68,210 | $32.79 | $91,420 | $48,170 |
| Kentucky | 1,380 | $66,580 | $32.01 | $97,670 | $37,140 |
| Louisiana | 1,440 | $71,070 | $34.17 | $95,400 | $47,450 |
| Maine | 710 | $75,140 | $36.12 | $102,500 | $48,340 |
| Maryland | 2,780 | $79,670 | $38.31 | $110,250 | $53,610 |
| Massachusetts | 4,290 | $86,940 | $41.80 | $123,400 | $50,330 |
| Michigan | 3,090 | $71,550 | $34.40 | $95,980 | $47,100 |
| Minnesota | 1,390 | $90,440 | $43.48 | $112,420 | $61,610 |
| Mississippi | 800 | $55,760 | $26.81 | $76,400 | $35,600 |
| Missouri | 1,640 | $65,140 | $31.32 | $87,690 | $46,980 |
| Montana | 290 | $75,210 | $36.16 | $100,850 | $49,840 |
| Nebraska | 570 | $67,100 | $32.26 | $90,880 | $45,910 |
| Nevada | 1,780 | $78,320 | $37.65 | $105,490 | $55,510 |
| New Hampshire | 420 | $68,820 | $33.09 | $88,610 | $45,070 |
| New Jersey | 5,950 | $86,370 | $41.52 | $126,400 | $48,880 |
| New Mexico | 800 | $70,180 | $33.74 | $94,870 | $48,350 |
| New York | 11,160 | $86,600 | $41.63 | $134,430 | $51,540 |
| North Carolina | 6,490 | $69,070 | $33.21 | $95,220 | $46,840 |
| North Dakota | 180 | $78,490 | $37.73 | $100,390 | $55,150 |
| Ohio | 3,490 | $74,770 | $35.95 | $100,290 | $50,440 |
| Oklahoma | 2,090 | $63,610 | $30.58 | $94,850 | $41,410 |
| Oregon | 1,780 | $87,080 | $41.86 | $115,910 | $60,970 |
| Pennsylvania | 5,320 | $69,540 | $33.43 | $93,790 | $48,610 |
| Rhode Island | 270 | $80,850 | $38.87 | $110,940 | $57,950 |
| South Carolina | 2,500 | $60,040 | $28.87 | $84,860 | $36,140 |
| South Dakota | 200 | $67,260 | $32.34 | $89,050 | $47,670 |
| Tennessee | 2,500 | $61,410 | $29.53 | $84,600 | $38,670 |
| Texas | 18,230 | $69,810 | $33.56 | $105,160 | $43,220 |
| Utah | 1,240 | $73,580 | $35.38 | $99,630 | $48,690 |
| Vermont | 120 | $70,850 | $34.06 | $92,110 | $49,350 |
| Virginia | 6,550 | $76,220 | $36.65 | $104,480 | $50,090 |
| Washington | 3,090 | $93,070 | $44.75 | $121,700 | $63,840 |
| West Virginia | 540 | $68,180 | $32.78 | $92,930 | $34,090 |
| Wisconsin | 1,270 | $75,490 | $36.29 | $101,240 | $47,290 |
| Wyoming | 370 | $61,510 | $29.57 | $93,470 | $35,920 |
| Guam | 40 | $56,740 | $27.28 | $81,100 | $38,820 |
| Puerto Rico | 740 | $48,900 | $23.51 | $86,260 | $23,960 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
