Training to Become a Home Inspector
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Basics
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Residential-building inspections are done after construction is completed to obtain occupancy permits. While standard home-building codes must be followed nationwide, there might be variances in the requirements from state to state. Thorough inspections also are done when a house is being sold. A professional home inspector examines the home and writes a report on every room that includes problems noticed, such as water damage, signs of termite infestation or rotten wood flooring. Each state has its own set of rules and regulations for required training and certifications to become a licensed home inspector. The American Home Inspectors Training Institute provides a list of each state's requirements as well as online and local training programs that lead to a license.
Experience
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Most states require a term, often one year, in which a home inspector learns on the job from a licensed home inspector. An intern holds an associate home inspector license and is required to complete or participate in at least 100 paid home inspections before receiving a professional license. Licensed contractors who are well-versed in building codes and material management usually can forgo this internship. Many home inspectors operate as self-employed independent contractors and might have limited budgets for assistants. Newcomers should look for home-inspection companies that hire associates to fulfill the required hours and receive pay while learning. Many associates consider the internship part of the educational process and hold other jobs while pursuing the internship hours on a part-time basis without pay.
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Training
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Training to become a home inspector includes instruction in construction basics and reporting skills. Courses cover how to operate furnaces and heat exchanges, how to test gas and water heaters, electrical and plumbing systems, and what to look for on roofs. In addition to the multitude of online curriculums and community college programs available, membership in trade associations can offer useful directions for training. Many industry groups, such as the National Association of Home Inspectors and the American Society of Home Inspectors, offer continuing education and professional development courses for their members. Home inspectors can receive special certification courses in areas such as wood-eating insects, energy efficiency and commercial inspection that can help to add streams of revenue and increase the credibility of the inspector.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Royce Hansman
