How to Become an Illinois Building Inspector

An Illinois building inspector checks on safety standards.

Building inspectors are the men and women that ensure that houses are safe. Older homes are especially worrisome and a building inspector can save lives by pointing out the potentially dangerous problems. Becoming a building inspector in any state can be rewarding, but in states like Illinois, where there are large cities like Chicago, it can be especially rewarding. In Illinois there are very specific requirements to become a building inspector.

Things You'll Need

• Checks or money orders

Instructions

1. Complete a high school degree. To become a building inspector in Illinois, a high school degree or equivalent is required. Higher educations, including technical school or college degrees, are not necessary in Illinois.

2. Wait until age requirements are met. Until the age of 21, it is not possible to become a building inspector in Illinois.

3. Apply for a pre-licensing class. This is a 60-hour course offered in many institutions. The cost of the class varies by the school offering the course and information about the individual schools can be found on the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation website.

4. Take the pre-licensing class and complete the lab work. Until this course is completed, professional testing cannot be done.

5. Register and take the Illinois Home Inspector License exam. Registering for the exam is through Applied Measurement Professionals and can be done over the phone or through the AMP website. The cost of the exam is $118 and paid to the Applied Measurement Professionals.

6. Apply for a home inspector license. Once the exam is passed, getting a license is a matter of filling out the application form and paying the $250 fees to the Division of Professional Regulations. The application will arrive with the report that the exam was passed.

Tips & Warnings

• The home inspector license needs to be renewed every two years. Applications for renewal are sent out two months before the expiration date of the previous license.

References

• Illinois Division of Professional Regulation
• Illinois Division of Professional Regulation: Approved Illinois Pre-licensing Schools
• Education-Portal: How to Become a Building Inspector: Education and Career Roadmap