- 1). Check the licensing requirements for your state. Most states require home inspectors to have a license. Under state law, home inspectors may be required to be a certain age, attend a number of hours in home inspection courses and have insurance in order to receive their license. Review the information regarding the licensing laws in your state provided by the American Society of Home Inspectors (see Resources).
- 2). Take the necessary courses to prepare for the exam and meet state requirements. Whether or not you are a seasoned professional in areas such as home maintenance or construction, completing a course in home inspection will allow you to meet the licensing requirements in your state and will prepare you for the exam. Home inspector courses are available online and in a traditional classroom setting. Topics such as inspection reporting, interior construction and marketing are often covered in a home inspection course. Call your local community college to see if they offer courses for home inspectors. A list of schools offering courses for home inspectors is also available through the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors. A link to their training provider directory is in the Resources section of this article.
- 3). Pass the National Home Inspector Examination. There are 200 multiple-choice questions on the exam, covering inspection methods, reporting, building systems and professional practice. The Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors offers a sample test for a fee as well as a reference list of textbooks that can be used to study for the test. You will be given a score between 200 and 800 with a score of 500 being a passing score. Upon successful completion, the testing center will provide you with a score sheet and a certificate of achievement which should be filed with your state licensing board.
- 4). Obtain membership with the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). Becoming a member of the ASHI is not required. However, many of the state licensing boards across the country have adopted the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics established by ASHI, making membership with this association an important part of meeting quality standards for the home inspections you perform. There are three ASHI membership categories available including associate, associate with logo, and certified. The level of membership you obtain will depend on how many of your inspections have been verified to be in compliance with ASHI Standards of Practice. All ASHI membership candidates are required to have passed the National Home Inspector Examination. A link to the ASHI online membership application is included in Resources.
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