Home inspectors are experts who do in-depth inspections of residential properties, typically on behalf of buyers, to spot any structural flaws or required repairs. For those who adore building and seek freedom and endless income possibilities, this is the perfect career. Knowing the prerequisites, taking home inspection classes, passing the licensure exam, and submitting applications are all necessary to learn how to become a home inspector in the following states: Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, and California. Below are the steps you need to follow to launch a successful home inspector career in the following states; Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, and California.
How to Become a Home Inspector
The eight steps to becoming a home inspector in your state are as follows:
#1. Verify your state’s licensing requirements
Finding out what it takes to become a home inspector in your state is the first step in starting your new career. The majority of states demand that you pass a licensing exam and finish 60 to 140 hours of coursework. In many states, you must also receive on-the-job training under the guidance of an experienced inspector. The length of this training can range from 12 hours to one year.
#2. Find home inspection training & courses
Home inspectors are not required to have a license in some states. However, you should plan to take training and educate yourself on the home inspection process, construction, and frequent difficulties you’ll face if you want to build a successful and long-lasting career as a home inspector.
#3. Pass the state exam for home inspection licensing
It can be challenging to learn the procedures for becoming a home inspector because they vary so much from state to state in terms of standards and procedures. Although it is not a requirement in all jurisdictions, passing a test is the next step in many of them before you can become a home inspector.
#4. Complete home inspector applications
You might be required to fill out and submit an application to be a home inspector after passing your exam in the relevant states. For instance, you need to send a $60 application for an apprentice inspector license, get your fingerprints taken, and pass a background check to become a home inspector in Texas. Learn all the prerequisites to be a home inspector if you reside in a state that has regulations.
#5. Obtain general liability and errors & omissions insurance.
Having errors and omissions (E&O) and general liability (GL) insurance is essential because working as a home inspector entails frequently giving clients advice and services. If a customer or homeowner accuses you of failing to report discoveries and decides to sue you, E&O Insurance will defend both you and your business. GL insurance shields you from claims of missing or broken property items.
#6. Choose a career path for your home inspector
How to become a home inspector is a more personal option once you pass the license exam or are otherwise eligible in your state. By selecting the appropriate company model for your lifestyle and financial objectives, take into account how you want your house inspection career to develop.
#7. Start a career in home inspection
The next steps in learning how to become a residential home inspector will be centered on marketing and customer interaction once you’ve decided on the best career route for you. To draw in new clients, generate leads, and begin establishing your reputation, you’ll need to communicate effectively when working with both new homeowners and real estate professionals.
#8. Keep learning with continuing education opportunities
Home inspectors must participate in continuing education (CE) programs to maintain their licenses in several states. It’s crucial to continue taking classes to learn more and keep up with changes in the building industry, even if your state does not mandate it. This is true even if your career as a house inspector is flourishing.
How to Become a Home Inspector in Virginia
Do you want to work as a home inspector in Virginia? The five steps you’ll need to take to launch your new job as a qualified home inspector expert in Virginia have been gathered by us. Learn more about Virginia’s home inspection education requirements and cost alternatives by following the steps listed below.
#1. Finish a 70-hour Virginia-approved home inspection course
A license is required by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation to work as a home inspector. Taking the seventy-hour. You will study topics on the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE) and complete the necessary coursework in the Virginia-approved home inspector course, which includes ebooks. You can only finish half of the state-mandated training online.
#2. Pass the national home inspector examination
The National Home Inspector Exam must be passed after you have finished your home inspector education. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering the three primary areas or sections that every house inspector should be familiar with (25 of which are not scored).
#3. Complete ride-along home inspections in Virginia
Perform 25 inspections while being closely supervised by a qualified Virginia inspector. Graduates of the AHIT program can join the Virginia Association of Real Estate Inspectors (VAREI) for free for a year and choose to take part in their mentorship program to finish the necessary ride-along inspections with one of their members.
#4. Obtain general liability insurance of $250,000 per occurrence
In Virginia, general liability insurance coverage of at least $250,000 is required for home inspectors. You will be given a license for a two-year term beginning on the effective date that appears on your license after presenting evidence of general liability insurance.
#5. Provide the Virginia Department of Professional & Occupational Regulation with the necessary paperwork and an application.
You must submit an application form together with the appropriate $80 fee to the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation to obtain your Virginia home inspector license.
How to Become a Home Inspector in North Carolina
To support you in establishing a new career as a home inspector in North Carolina, we have put together a thorough guide. Learn more about home inspector training programs (and why you need them), complete the North Carolina State Home Inspection Exam, required fieldwork, and the next steps by following the guide below.
#1. Complete a 120-hour North Carolina-approved home inspection course
All house inspectors are required to earn a license under the North Carolina House Inspection Licensure Act, which was enacted in 1993. Completing the necessary 120-hour North Carolina-approved home inspection course is the first step in getting a home inspector license in the state of North Carolina.
#2. Conduct 80 field hours and 10 site visits
The following stage in getting your North Carolina home inspector license is finishing the necessary 80 field hours with 10 site visits. Your transition into the field will be smooth thanks to the practical instruction you receive from this experience. Enrolling in our 80-hour field training course will put you in contact with a trainer.
#3. Pass the state home inspection exam in North Carolina
It’s time to take the North Carolina State Home Inspection Exam after completing your schooling and field requirements. The North Carolina Department of Insurance in Raleigh offers the exam several times throughout the year for an enrollment fee of $80. Enroll in pre-licensing classes as soon as possible to give yourself plenty of time to finish your coursework and fieldwork and prepare for the exam.
#4. Get a background check
By N.C., the Home Inspector Licensure Board mandates that candidates declare and agree to a criminal background record check. Applicants may secure a complete criminal records check from several sources, including the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), CriminalRecordCheck.com, and CastleBranch.com.
#5. Offer proof of insurance together with the necessary policies.
A license won’t be granted unless you have an insurance policy (or policies) that fulfill the state’s minimal requirements for coverage, according to the rules and regulations of the state. The following insurance policies are necessary for a North Carolina home inspector licensee:
A minimum $250,000 general liability policy, along with one of the following:
- own property (not owned by a bank) with a total market value of $5,000 to $10,000 (the board will assess this).
- A $5,000–$10,000 surety bond, as set by the board
- an errors and omissions insurance policy with a minimum $250,000 coverage
#6. Pay the $35 application fee and apply to be a home inspector
Once everything is done, you can submit your application for a home inspector license. On the website of the North Carolina Department of Insurance, you have to pay an application fee of $35. If a license is granted, an extra licensing fee of $160 is due, and you must complete 12 hours of continuing education each year to keep your license current.
How to Become a Home Inspector in Florida
Do you want to work as a home inspector in Florida? The six steps you must follow to launch your new job as a certified home inspector in Florida have been gathered by us. Learn more about Florida’s home inspection education requirements and cost alternatives by following the steps listed below.
#1. Finish the 120-Hour Florida-approved home inspection course
To work as a home inspector in Florida, you must possess a license from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Selecting the appropriate training can help you stand out and develop a solid reputation as an inspector. The 120-Hr. Recommended home inspector education, including ebooks, will help you understand the subjects covered on the national or state-issued tests and will equip you to meet the practical difficulties that qualified home inspectors often experience.
#2. Take your exam & pass it
The next step is to sign up for (and pass) one of these four written examinations after completing your home inspector education: InterNACHI Florida Home Inspector Licensing Examination – AHIT-recommended.
#3. National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE)
There are 200 multiple-choice questions in this test, 25 of which are ungraded. Each exam attempt costs approximately $225 and has a time limit of four hours, depending on your location.
#4. Florida Association of Building Inspectors (FABI)
100 multiple-choice questions on various aspects of home inspection make up this test. The FABI exam book, “Principles of Home Inspection: Systems and Standards” 3rd Edition Update (ISBN 978-1078801386), is what you’ll need to study for the test. You can get it from the FABI store. The exam has a 2-hour time limit, and each test costs $200. The exam is only available in person. After registering, you can choose your testing location.
#5. Association of Construction Industry’s Certified Home & Property Inspector Examination (CI-HPI)
The ACICP website does not specify the exam’s question count, however, it does specify that students have two hours to finish it. Test takers have the option of paying $250 to take the exam in person or $150 to take it online.
#6. Complete a fingerprint-based background check
All Florida residents applying for a home inspector license must undergo a criminal history check. The showing will run you about $54.25. A criminal past does not automatically disqualify applicants in the state’s case-by-case review procedure, although there may be additional documents needed.
#7. Provide proof of commercial general liability insurance of at least $300,000
Even the finest among us make errors; it’s just part of being human. All Florida home inspection specialists must carry commercial general liability insurance coverage of at least $300,000 to safeguard themselves against lawsuits that might ruin their careers.
#8. Apply online or send in a physical application
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation must receive your application before you can proceed to the next stage in obtaining your Florida home inspector license. You can submit physical documents or apply online. When applying for a first license, registration fees are $230, but there are some qualified low-income applicants, active-duty military people, and veterans who are eligible for waivers.
#9. Join a multi-inspector firm or register your business
It’s time to start working once you’ve finished your AHIT Home Inspection Training and passed one of the home inspection examinations. You can decide to hire a tax expert and launch your own home inspection company (either as a sole proprietor or LLC). Or you can look to join a reputable multi-inspector firm if you’d rather gather some experience and a consistent flow of leads first.
How to Become a Home Inspector in California
To support you in establishing your new job as a home inspector in California, we have put together a thorough guide. Learn more about home inspection training programs (and why you need them), the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE), local networking, the requirements for home inspection insurance, and the next actions by following the instructions below.
#1. California’s state-recognized home inspection courses can help you get ready for your career
Although working as a house inspector in California is not subject to licensing requirements, there are specific inspection types and professional standards that home inspectors must follow. Understanding those business practices and building your reputation as an authority on the subject require professional home inspection training from a recognized home inspection school.
#2. Pass the national home inspector examination
Passing the National Home Inspector Exam is the next need for becoming a recognized authority after completing your home inspector education. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering the three primary areas or sections that every house inspector should be familiar with (25 of which are not scored).
#3. Start networking, building relationships, and joining professional organizations in California.
The ability to network is essential for business owners. The California Real Estate Inspection Association is a good place to start if you want to network with other home inspectors in the state. You can also join several national organizations, such as the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) and the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI).
#4. Purchase errors and omissions (E&O) insurance or general liability insurance.
Even the finest among us make errors; it’s just part of being human. All home inspection specialists must obtain general liability and/or errors and omissions insurance coverage to safeguard themselves and their livelihood against lawsuits that could destroy their careers.
#5. Join a multi-inspector firm or register your business
It’s time to start working when you’ve finished your AHIT Home Inspection Training and passed the NHIE. You can decide to hire a tax expert and launch your own home inspection company (either as a sole proprietor or LLC). Or you can look to join a reputable multi-inspector firm if you’d rather gather some experience and a consistent flow of leads first.
What Is the Highest Paid Home Inspectors?
Highest paying cities for Home Inspectors near the United States:
- San Jose, CA. $137,212 per year.
- Tigard, OR. $137,212 per year.
- Little Rock, AR. $136,762 per year.
- Oviedo, FL. $77,512 per year.
- San Juan, PR. $74,824 per year.
How Do I Become a Licensed Home Inspector in NY?
Steps to Become a New York home inspector:
- Complete a training program that consists of at least 40 hours of fieldwork and 100 hours of classroom instruction.
- The New York Home Inspectors Exam must be passed.
- Contact the New York Department of Licensing to apply for a license.
What Are the Cons of Being a Home Inspector?
- Since you compete with established members who presumably joined the company early on, working for other inspectors rarely results in a sustainable income if you are not interested in starting your own business.
- Obtaining the aforementioned experience might occasionally be very challenging.
Where Is the Best Place to Be a Home Inspector?
According to our research, California is the finest state in the union for home inspectors, and Lompoc is where they make the most money. Whites make up 68.5% of the workforce, while Hispanic or Latinos make up 13.1%.
What State Pays the Most for Home Inspectors?
New York, New Hampshire, California, Vermont, and Idaho have the highest home inspector salaries, followed by Vermont and Idaho.
What Are the Pros of Being a Home Inspector?
The benefits of working as a home inspector include:
- Being your boss is possible.
- The amount of money you can earn is not strictly capped.
- The housing market benefits from home inspection.
- You can start inspecting homes without spending a lot of money.
How Can a Home Inspector Get More Clients?
How do home inspectors attract customers?
- Know the landscape of your competition.
- Locate realtor partners.
- Join a professional organization for home inspections.
- Create your brand.
- Become social.
- Spend money on online marketing.
- Provide supplemental services.
Conclusion
The fact that each state in the United States has different standards makes learning how to become a home inspector in the following states: Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, and California quite complex. You can succeed as a house inspector, though, if you research your state’s standards, finish your schooling, and pick the correct professional path.
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