How to Get Certified as a Home Inspector

Becoming a certified home inspector can be a rewarding career that allows you to help homebuyers make one of the biggest purchases of their lives. If you’re detail-oriented, have good communication skills, and are interested in construction and real estate, home inspection may be the perfect field for you.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain all the steps required to get your home inspection license and start a new career.

Home Inspection Career Benefits

Some key advantages of becoming a home inspector include:

• Earning great income – inspectors make $50,000-$100,000 yearly on average
• Being your own boss if self-employed
• Flexible scheduling for work-life balance
• Opportunities to grow your own inspection business
• Utilizing your construction knowledge and skills
• Learning continuously about houses and building systems
• Travelling to different properties daily
• Helping homebuyers make informed decisions

Home inspectors get to spend their days learning about houses while playing a key role in one of the biggest purchases of their clients’ lives.

Home Inspector Job Duties

As a home inspector, typical duties include:

• Visually examining the interior and exterior of residential properties
• Inspecting major systems like electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing
• Operating appliances and testing functions
• Identifying defects, safety issues, and major repairs needed
• Providing detailed inspection reports to clients
• Discussing findings and recommendations in person after inspections
• Staying objective and focusing purely on the property’s condition
• Advising clients on when to consult trade specialists
• Continuously developing your technical inspection expertise

Strong attention to detail, communication skills, integrity, and organization are crucial. Inspectors must also stay current with codes, standards, and industry best practices.

Educational Requirements

To become a home inspector. typical education requirements include

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Completion of a home inspection training course
• Passing the National Home Inspector Exam
• State-level exams and licensing requirements

Many inspectors have background experience in construction, engineering, architecture, or related fields. This hands-on knowledge can be very helpful for the role.

Home inspection courses cover structural components, exterior and interior elements, major systems operation, report writing, standards of practice, and more. Courses range from online on-demand to traditional in-person class formats.

National Home Inspector Exam

The National Home Inspector Examination is administered by the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors (EBPHI). Key details:

• Open book with 4-hour duration
• 175 multiple choice questions
• Covers building systems, report writing, standards of practice
• 75% passing score
• Can take exam before completing education requirements

The exam is designed for those just entering the home inspection field with no experience. Study guides, practice tests, and exam prep courses are available to help applicants pass.

The exam is offered year-round at PSI test centers across the United States. You must pass this exam to qualify for state-level licensing.

State Licensing Requirements

In addition to the national exam, individual U.S. states have their own licensing requirements for home inspectors. These include:

• Submitting an application with fees
• Completing pre-licensing education
• Meeting experience requirements
• Passing a state law exam
• Providing proof of general liability insurance
• Agreeing to a criminal background check
• Abiding by a code of ethics

Licensing ensures inspectors are properly qualified to serve clients in that state. Requirements can vary significantly between states in terms of education hours, hands-on training, apprenticeships, and more.

Be sure to research the exact steps to get your home inspector license in your state. For example:

• In Florida you need 240 pre-licensing education hours
• In California you must complete a CLIA-approved course
• In Texas you need 160 hours of education and a 40 hour apprenticeship

Renewing your state license every 1-2 years also requires continuing education. This fosters ongoing learning.

Finding Initial Clients

Once licensed, focus first on building up your inspection business. Strategies to find clients include:

• Partnering with local real estate agents
• Joining local home inspector associations
• Networking with other local businesses serving homebuyers
• Creating a professional website and social media profiles
• Optimizing online profiles for search engines
• Running Google and Facebook ads
• Distributing print marketing materials
• Cold calling and emailing potential clients
• Offering discounts as an introductory rate

Providing an amazing client experience leads to referrals and repeat business over time. Be patient at first as you build up your reputation.

Performing Inspections

When conducting home inspections, follow these tips:

• Thoroughly review property details like year built, renovations, permits
• Use inspection software to guide you through the process
• Take comprehensive notes and photos
• Look for issues not obvious at a glance
• Follow safety precautions when inspecting roofs, electrical, etc.
• Use testing instruments like moisture meters appropriately
• Identify when specialized technicians should be brought in
• Remain impartial – don’t make repairs or offer contractor advice
• Avoid confusion – clarifyreport details directly with clients

Following consistent inspection processes ensures you don’t miss critical defects. This protects clients.

Growing Your Home Inspection Business

Once established, focus on growing your business. Strategies include:

• Consistently providing 5-star service to spur referrals
• Staying up-to-date on technology, codes, and industry trends
• Expanding your geographic service area
• Offering niche inspection services like pools or wind mitigation
• Hiring contractor staff to increase inspection volume
• Partnering with volume clients like real estate investors
• Hosting DIY classes or seminars to attract clients
• Advertising in community newsletters or on radio
• Publishing home tips blog posts to gain authority
• Developing a social media following with useful content

Look for mentors or business coaching to guide your home inspection company growth. Avoid complacency.

Maintaining Your Home Inspector License

Ongoing learning is crucial as building codes, standards, and safety best practices evolve over time. To renew your license:

• Complete your state’s continuing education requirements
• File any necessary paperwork and pay renewal fees on time
• Maintain appropriate general liability insurance
• Review any changes to state licensing regulations
• Confirm your understanding of current standards of practice
• Address client complaints promptly and ethically

Proactively renewing your license ensures you avoid any disruptions to your inspection business.

Starting a Rewarding Career

If you’re detail-oriented, love houses, and want to help homebuyers, a home inspection career can be incredibly fulfilling and profitable. Follow the licensing steps, continually grow your expertise, and provide amazing service to thrive. You’ll soon be building your dream job as a home inspector!