You might be asking, who is this article for? Is it for home inspectors who are looking to improve their online marketing or is it for people who want to become a home inspector? The answer is both. As an online marketer I have found that by writing articles related to my niche I was able to expand my reach and improve the overall traffic to my website. As a result, more potential clients were contacting me about being a certified home inspector.
Find out more about home inspector schools, home inspector certificate, home inspection classes, home inspector license, home inspection courses, course on becoming a home inspector, how to become a certified home inspector on careerkeg.com.
As of 2019, there are over 6,000 certified home inspectors in the United States. The number is expected to grow as the housing market starts to recover from the Great Recession.
To become a certified home inspector, you must complete training at an accredited school and pass a test called the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE). You can also choose to complete additional coursework and exams to earn professional certifications like the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) or Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS).
To become a certified home inspector, you will need to meet certain requirements set by your state’s licensing board. These requirements include:
- Completing high school or its equivalent
- Being at least 18 years old
- Having a valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance coverage
- Being able to pass a criminal background check
- Passing a physical exam that includes vision testing and hearing testing (if needed)
How to become a certified home inspection
Do some research
Before you embark on your journey to become a certified home inspector, here are some questions to ask yourself:
- What does a home inspector do?
- How much training is needed?
- What does a typical day look like for a home inspector?
To get the answers to these questions, read on for more details about becoming an expert in residential construction and inspection.
Get a job as an apprentice
Aspiring home inspectors can find an apprenticeship by contacting local or state associations, or they can apply directly to a practicing inspector. An apprenticeship typically lasts one year, during which time the apprentice will learn about the inspection process, including methods of detecting and documenting problems. At the conclusion of their training, apprentices must pass certification exams in order for their license to be renewed.
The average salary for a certified home inspector is $55,000 per year (or $25 per hour). Entry-level positions may pay slightly less than this amount.
Take the National Home Inspectors Exam
The National Home Inspectors Exam (NHIE) is administered by the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI). If you do not yet have your license, it is possible to take a practice test online and receive feedback on areas where you need improvement. Once you have passed the NHIE with a score of at least 70%, you can then apply for your license with the state agency in which you live. You will also have to pass a background check before obtaining certification.
There are three ways that NAHI has provided for taking this exam:
- Open book – The open book option allows applicants to bring any reference materials they wish into the testing center with them. This can be helpful when used in conjunction with other study materials, such as flashcards or online quizzes that simulate what will be seen on test day. Most people find this method helpful because it allows them time to go over questions again if necessary without feeling rushed by time constraints; however, others may prefer having no reference materials available so they don’t feel distracted by anything else while taking their exam!
- Closed book – The closed book option means all reference materials must be left outside of testing rooms—only blank paper and an erasable writing instrument may come inside! Some people find this method more challenging because there’s no way around making mistakes without being able to erase them immediately afterward; however, some individuals prefer having nothing else but themselves vs having lots of distractions around them when trying hard during tests like these ones here!
Become licensed
First, there are several steps you need to take in order for your business to be fully operational. First, the state agency where you live will require that you register your business with them and provide proof of insurance. You’ll also need to get all licenses from local authorities and pay any associated fees (this varies by location). Finally, you should find a good place where your customers can take their home inspections—for example, local community centers or public libraries might have such facilities available.
Once your business is up and running, it’s time for the fun stuff: inspecting homes! To become certified as a home inspector requires taking an exam at one of several locations in your area (each state has its own testing center), including colleges or universities nearby that offer courses specifically on this subject matter. There are also online courses available if those are more convenient for you—just make sure they’re accredited by organizations like ASHI or AACHI before investing money into one though!
You’ll need experience to become a home inspector and pass the national exam.
You need experience to become a home inspector and pass the national exam. Home inspection is a regulated profession, which means that in order to become an inspector, you must have at least 2 years of experience in performing inspections. You can get this experience by working under an existing certified inspector or taking classes from a school with the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) program.
The National Home Inspector Examination is a 4-hour long multiple choice exam consisting of 100 questions about different aspects of home construction and maintenance, including building methods and materials used; structural components; safety issues; moisture detection techniques; plumbing fixtures, hot water heaters and water treatment equipment; heating systems including furnaces and boilers; ventilation systems (ducts); electrical circuits/devices plus circuit breakers/fuses/switch boxes/outlets/switches plus lighting fixtures & outlets
