How to Become a Real Estate Home Inspector in Maryland
Home inspectors make written evaluations of plumbing systems, roofs and other components of residential real estate. The Maryland Commission of Real Estate Appraisers and Home Inspectors requires a license to operate as a home inspector in Maryland. It has several requirements for a license to ensure that inspectors have the necessary knowledge to inspect homes. Applicants must complete educational and testing requirements. They can then apply for a license to start a career as a home inspector in Maryland.
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Things You'll Need
- Exam score report
- License application
- School completion report
- High-school diploma
- Liability insurance
Instructions
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Complete 72 hours of home-inspection courses with an approved provider. Use the list of approved providers to find contact information. Call the training providers to make arrangements to attend a course. You must attend live training. Maryland does not accept distance learning or correspondence courses for home-inspection licensing. Get a certificate from the school upon successful completion of your course.
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Prepare for the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE). The Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors (EBPHI) creates the national exam. Use the study materials from your course to prepare for the home-inspector exam. You should also check the references provided by EBPHI to make sure you have adequate resources to prepare for the exam. Purchase any additional references that you do not have to supplement the study materials from your training course.
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Schedule your exam. Pearson VUE administers the NHIE at various testing facilities. As of 2010, the fee for taking the NHIE is $225. You can call 877-543-5222 and register with a credit card, debit card, or electronic check. You may also register for the NHIE online.
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Take your exam and get the score report and certificate at the testing center upon completion of the test. You need this report and certificate when applying for your home inspector's license. You will receive a content-based graph of your results if you fail. Study those areas again and schedule another exam if you do not pass.
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Click on the "Application for Maryland Home Inspector License" link on the licensing application page (see References 4). Fill out the application for a Maryland home-inspection license. You must send an application fee, evidence of having received a high school diploma or GED, a copy of your passing score report for the NHIE and a copy of the certificate showing completion of the required home-inspection training. As of 2010, the fee is $50 for the application fee. Pay by check or money order, payable to MREAC. Send the application, fee and documentation to the following address:
MD Commission of Real Estate Appraisers and Home Inspectors
500 N Calvert Street, #302
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-230-6379
dllr.maryland.gov -
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Wait for further instructions in the mail. You will have to submit the $400 licensing fee and provide proof of general-liability insurance of at least $150,000. Speak to insurance companies in your area to get an insurance policy.
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Tips & Warnings
You may also register to take a practice exam on the page for online exam registration. As of 2010, the fee is $50. Register an account and pay by credit card, debit card, or electronic check.
Your license remains valid for only two years. You must pay an additional $400 and maintain the required insurance to renew your Maryland home-inspection license.
References
- Photo Credit home sweet home image by David Dorner from Fotolia.com
