As home inspection services have become increasingly more sought after, licensed home inspectors who are certified and approved by the state are in high demand. A society of home inspectors will generally offer many advantages to its membership, including licensed home inspector training, home inspection classes, online home inspector courses, distance learning master degrees or various other options for continuing education.
PHII, for instance, offers licensed home inspector training at an affordable price, providing a comprehensive distance learning master course you can complete either online or get it on a CD. Optional field training and classroom courses are available as well. PHII’s home inspection training is approved by the state, and aims to help students achieve the knowledge and skills needed to become professional home inspectors. Courses can provide the credentials necessary to enter the home inspection profession or expand your current business to include mold inspection, mold remediation, energy audits, infrared thermal inspections, weatherization and so on.
PHII offers continuing education courses, tools, report software, as well as marketing support to help aspirants get their business up and running. Each course comes with instant online access and can be completed in as little as one or two weeks, or you can take as much time as you need. Access to the course material and PHII’s student support system never expires.
Home Inspection Education – Licensed Home Inspector Training Classes
The Professional Inspection Training Institute (PITI) also provides licensed home inspector training, as well as classes on radon inspection, mold inspection, new construction and commercial inspection education and training classes. Moreover, PITI’s advanced home inspection training is designed to provide in-depth knowledge on current home inspection practices, while its hands-on technical instruction will teach you about building systems and construction. As a complete package, PITI offers:
- Business Operations and Office Procedures
- Marketing and Customer Service Training
- Hands-On Field Inspection Training
Home inspection training will provide the foundation for a successful career as a home inspector. In addition, home inspection certification allows some inspectors to enforce local codes and ordinances, provide home inspection reports and approve sales contracts for homes. A professional home inspection has come to be an essential part of property transactions, but it requires a thorough knowledge if property construction. A qualified, licensed home inspector may also work with mortgage lenders, real estate appraisers, relocation companies and attorneys.
Workforce Investment – Career Options in the Home Inspection Business
A proper home inspection education can offer the opportunity to work in a variety of fields. With adequate home inspection training, candidates may pursue a career as:
- independent contractors
- partners with real estate appraisers and companies
- part of a firm or business in real estate
- workers in construction trades
- building inspectors involved with structural quality
- plan examiners who determine structure compliance
- electrical inspectors who install and examine electrical systems
- mechanical inspectors for the installation and operation of commercial equipment
Home Inspection Certification & Training
Those interested in pursuing a career as a home inspector will need to enroll in a home inspector course program in order to obtain certification, training or a quality home inspection education. A standard home inspection course will include:
- mold inspection procedures
- report writing techniques
- professional membership information
- marketing and sales opportunities
- home inspection tools
Licensing After Approved Training
Each state coordinates home inspection certification and licensing requirements to comply with real estate property law, however not all states require licensing. The Division of Licensing Services from the Department of State offers applications under the Home Inspection Professional Licensing Act. Moreover, each licensed home inspection school graduate is also required to obtain liability insurance, and a certificate of liability coverage is available through the state secretary.
All home inspectors must have completed high school or equivalent, and successfully completed a home inspection course of study comprised of at least 140 hours. In addition, 40 hours of the home inspection education must be completed out on the field, in an unpaid position. In lieu of this condition, home inspection education can be completed with 100 home inspections and passing a written examination.
The International Code Council (ICC) and other professional associations of home inspectors offer various home inspection certificates. Other opportunities available after completion of a home inspection class include the Certified Building Official certification (CBO) and Residential Building Inspector (RBI).