Home Inspection Organizations aim to regulate the home inspector profession in order to provide the highest quality of services.
Top Home Inspection Organizations
The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) is the largest non-profit home inspection organization, and has worked since 1976 to build consumer awareness and enhance the professionalism of its membership. The ASHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics act as a performance guideline for home inspectors, and is universally recognized and accepted by numerous professional and governmental bodies.
ASHI is an organization of independent, professional home inspectors who have made a commitment to conduct quality inspections in accordance with the ASHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, which strictly prohibits engaging in conflict-of-interest activities that might compromise their objectivity.
As ASHI Associates work their way to ASHI Certified Inspector status, they face rigorous requirements, including passing a comprehensive, written technical exam and performing a minimum of 250 professional, fee-paid inspections conducted in accordance with the association’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. In addition, mandatory continuing education helps members stay in touch with the latest trends in technology, materials and professional skills.
The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNachi) is the largest home inspection trade association in the world. It is a non-profit organization as well as tax exempt, and it was formed in 1990. With a 220,000+ page website, the society is dedicated to inspection-related issues, hosts interactive online continuing education and it is very popular for its exams and quizzes. Moreover, it also has a 410,000+ post message board that receives 115 million hits per year.
Of all home inspectors, only the top five percent manage to achieve the InterNACHI status. These master inspectors have all successfully passed the organization’s Inspector Examination, adhere to a Standards of Practice, abide by a Code of Ethics, attend required continuing education courses and are all InterNACHI certified.
InterNACHI Standards of Practice is now the Industry Standard. This version is the largest, most comprehensive set of guidelines available to inspectors, elevating the organizations Standards of Practice to the nation’s definite standard for the professional home inspection industry.
The National Institute of Building Inspectors (NIBI) was founded in 1987, and since it has provided educational and training programs for the home inspection industry and related professions. NIBI is recognized as one of the oldest home inspection training institutes.
The California Real Estate Inspection Association (CREIA) is a non-profit, voluntary public-benefit organization of real estate inspectors. Since 1976, CREIA provides education, training and support services to its members and the real estate community. The association’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice are recognized by the California Business and Professions Codes and the real estate industry and legal profession in the state consider them the standard of care.
The Connecticut Association of Home Inspectors (CAHI) was founded in 1992 and is the largest independent home inspector organization in the state, providing top monthly and continuing education seminars that meet the requirements established by the Connecticut Home Inspection Licensing Board.
The Georgia Association of Home Inspectors (GAHI) promotes high standards for professional home inspectors, although the State of Georgia does not license home inspectors. However, the GAHI’s membership requirements are some of the most stringent in the country, allowing the profession to self-regulate.
The Kentucky Real Estate Association (KREIA) was formed in 1992, aiming to promote customer service through its Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, while also providing its members with education and training opportunities.
The Minnesota Society of Home Inspectors (MSHI) was founded in 1979 as a non profit society of private, licensed, fee-paid home inspectors, encouraging continuing education on a monthly basis.
Southern Nevada Association of Professional Property Inspectors (SNAPPI) is a non-profit organization requiring all home inspectors to have errors & omissions insurance and general liability. Nevada is one of the few state that have licensing for home inspectors.
The Pennsylvania Home Inspectors Coalition (PHIC) promotes standards of professionalism in the home inspection profession, acting as a unified representative voice on a state level. The PHIC monitors new legislation and confers with State and local legislators.
The Texas Association of Real Estate Inspectors (TAREI), established in 1977, promotes a professional Code of Ethics for its members, reviews and upgrades minimum standards, provides recommendations to the Texas Real Estate Commission and conducts continuing education programs for all home inspectors.
The Virginia Association of Real Estate Inspectors (VAREI) has been the professional association of, by and for Virginia home inspectors since its inception in 2000. Membership in VAREI is a way of protecting professional home inspector interests, as well as the interests of the public.
The Wisconsin Association of Home Inspectors (WAHI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and developing the home inspection industry within the State of Wisconsin. Its goal is to maintain high standards of conduct in the home inspection profession as expressed in the State of Wisconsin Standards of Practice and the Association Code of Ethics.