How to Become a Home Inspector in Oregon
Becoming a home inspector in Oregon requires licensing. Oregon home inspectors must obtain a license from the Construction Contractor Board (CCB) before operating professionally. There are exams and applications to complete before consideration for a home inspector license is granted. In order to begin, you must have experience in the field before seeking an initial application. The application requires eligibility points to be acquired from a respected source.
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Instructions
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Determine if you meet the qualifications to become a home inspector according to Oregon state law (20 eligibility points). This can be obtained from prior field training. Keep in mind, pesticide operators with the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) do not require additional certification licensing under certain conditions explained on the referenced Construction Contractors Board (CCB) website. However, this may not apply in most cases, so proceed to obtain the required training to become eligible for testing. To learn about the training, see the References section. Other various circumstances for avoiding eligibility point requirements are listed in the website's section of "Who does not need to be certified as a home inspector." Also, you may refer to the Oregon Association of Home Inspectors for additional insight.
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Check with the Oregon Association of Home Inspectors to find potential help in obtaining the 20 eligibility points to take the test in order to download the necessary study material. It must be acquired from certified inspectors, and this site makes it easy to browse options with each business listed. For example, find a mentor working in the field that will provide you with inspector experience. Typically, this will be unpaid.
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Download or request by mail the home inspector application packet from the referenced Oregon website. Fill out the required information and submit the $50 fee. Wait for the study guide to arrive once your application is successfully processed and verified. The guide will have practice questions and, for additional support, refer to the Resources section for the "Safe Practices" link.
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Request to take the test at a testing site and pay the $50 fee. Successfully complete each of the five sections on the exam with a passing score of at least 75 percent. This will automatically make you eligible to receive your certificate and pocket card in the mail. Re-takes are available for an additional cost; refer to the referenced website for more details.
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Complete the CCB licensing with the required 16-hour training. To locate a licensing help resource, contact the CCB staff or click on the licensing link listed under Step 6 on the Oregon website. Pass the state test on the course from the 16-hour training and obtain the surety bond. This exam costs $85 and requires a grade of at least 70 percent. There are preparation resources available at the aforementioned licensing website link.
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Become a business owner or an employee of a CCB-licensed business. Liability insurance and corporation legal status paperwork (such as a limited liability corporation) must be submitted with the application. Pay the appropriate annual fees. After the contractor's license is secured, you are certified to work as an Oregon home inspector.
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Tips & Warnings
Commercial surety bonding has a wide range of pricing. Therefore, it may be prudent to seek referrals from current Oregon home inspectors through an association. Also, some associations offer general liability insurance and bonding services too.
References
Resources
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