How Do I Become a Home Inspector in Vancouver, Washington?

Before you can start inspecting homes in Washington, you need a home inspector's license.

The City of Vancouver, Washington is the fourth largest city in Washington, located just north of Portland, Oregon. Though it is a part of the Vancouver-Portland metropolitan area, it falls under the jurisdiction of Washington law. Washington requires all home inspectors, even those with years of experience to have a license. If home inspection is a new career choice, there is additional training needed before a license is issued. Once the training, exams and license requirements are fulfilled, a career in home inspection is around the corner.

Instructions

Obtain a Washington State Home Insepector's License

1. Complete 120 hours of classroom instruction on the fundamentals of home inspection. You can find information on courses and approved course providers by calling at 360-664-6487 or visiting the Washington State Licensing website: http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/homeinspectors/hicourses.html.

2. Finish 40 hours of field training under the supervision of a licensed inspector. Again, you can find information on courses and approved course providers by calling at 360-664-6487 or visiting the Washington State Licensing website: http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/homeinspectors/hicourses.html.

3. Apply for the license exam. Complete an application for the Washington home inspector's license available online at the Washington Department of Licensing website. Include proof you you finished the 120 hours of classroom and 40 hours of field instruction.

   Mail your application and supporting documents to:

   Home Inspector Program

   Business and Professions Division

   Department of Licensing

   P.O. Box 9048

   Olympia, WA 98507-9048

   The Washington Department of Licensing will contact you to let you know your application has been approved or if they need further information.

4. Schedule and take the licensing exam. The exam is taken through Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc. (AMP) and can be scheduled through their website. Bring your exam approval letter and exam fees when you go to the testing site. You will be notified of your pass or fail score.

5. Prove you passed the Washington inspector exam and the Department of Licensing will issue you a home inspector's license.

Tips & Warnings

• Study the the "Home Inspector Examination Candidate Handbook" to prepare for the licensing exam. It is available on the Washington Department of Licensing website.

• Out-of-state home inspectors in good standing for at least two of the last five years in a state with licensing requirements, education and training that meet or exceed Washington's requirements must present proof of on the job and classroom training to receive a Washington home inspector's license.

References

• Washington State Home Inspector Regulations
• Washington Home Inspector Candidate Handbook