Get Started with ICA
While some requirements may seem daunting, the experienced instructors at ICA School are here to help you every step of the way. Whether you want to become a home inspector in Conway, Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, West Memphis, Hot Springs or Bentonville, our home inspection classroom course will fulfill the Arkansas home inspection licensing requirements. There’s never been a better time to get started on your new career as a home inspector in Arkansas. We even offer ICA scholarships when needed. Enroll now!
Preparing for the Exams
Once you’ve completed ICA School’s Arkansas home inspection training, you’ll need to start studying for the two exams required for licensing. This process requires a blend of practical experience and theoretical study. Start by reviewing the official exam outline to understand the topics covered.
Take advantage of ICA School’s resources to brush up on home inspection standards and practices. We provide all students with a 200-page online study guide, 700 practice questions and a vast library of online resources that you can access at any time. Our knowledgeable instructors are always available to help as well.
Taking practice tests helps familiarize you with the exam format and identifies areas needing further review. Familiarize yourself with the Arkansas regulations for home inspection and the Arkansas Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. Lastly, remember to brush up on building codes, systems and structures commonly found in homes, and ensure consistent revision leading up to exam day for optimum results.
Practical Training and Field Experience
Imagine trying to ride a bike just by reading about it. Sounds tricky, right? Becoming a qualified Arkansas home inspection professional is similar. Reading and studying aren’t enough; you need real-world, hands-on practice.
When inspecting a house, you’re looking for current and potential problems. Many Arkansas home inspection training courses will teach you what to look for, but there’s nothing like actually going into homes, seeing things with your own eyes and using your tools to do the job. Hands-on training means you practice in real homes, learning the tricks of the trade from experts who have seen it all before.
Field experience builds confidence. Every house is different, but the more houses you check, the better you’ll become at recognizing red flags, making judgments and giving advice. As you continue gaining experience, you’ll discover there’s always more to learn. Our bonus inspection courses are a great way to expand your knowledge base and serve your clients better.
Renewing and Maintaining Your Arkansas Home Inspector License
Arkansas home inspection licenses must be renewed annually. To renew your license, Arkansas requires a minimum of 14 hours of continuing education each year, which can be in the form of online training. Through Inspection Certification Associates’ affiliations the International Association of Home Inspector (InterNACHI), continuing education can be arranged free of charge for ICA graduates.
As a condition of maintaining your Arkansas home inspector’s license’s good standing, home inspection methods must meet minimum criteria. Inspections are to be conducted in accordance with the standards of practice and codes of ethics established by the Arkansas Home Inspector Registration Board.
Career Opportunities and Growth
Earning your home inspection license in Arkansas can open many doors. A qualified inspector will always find work in a real estate market that continues to grow. As you embark on your new career, it’s important to keep an open mind and not limit your opportunities.
Networking is key. Real estate agents, brokers and banks often need home inspections, and they prefer to work with inspectors they know and trust. Find connections, whether through repeat customers, professional organizations, or word-of-mouth; these relationships will create avenues for more work and consistent growth.
As you expand your network, don’t neglect your learning. Home construction is an ever-changing field, and you’ll need to stay up to date with the latest advances. Mastering a niche or two, such as mold or radon detection, can set you apart from the competition and earn you a more loyal clientele.
Starting a home inspection business allows you a great deal of freedom, even to the point of setting your own home inspection costs in Arkansas. You may find that home inspection is a natural gateway to a career in real estate or contracting. Wherever your professional journey takes you, ICA will be by your side.
What ICA’s Home Inspection Classroom Training Covers
Here’s a summary of the topics included in ICA’s Arkansas home inspector classroom training:
- Introduction to Home Inspections – Overview of the home inspection industry and the life of a licensed home inspector
- Business and Legal Aspects – Starting a home inspection business, the importance of written inspector/client pre-inspection agreements, error & omissions and liability insurance requirements
- Inspection Process – Home inspection methods and industry standards
- Roofing – Roofing terms and roof types, roof materials, basic and advanced roof inspection techniques, detecting roof defects
- Exterior of the Home – Site grading and drainage, siding or stucco and trim, exterior defects, porches, decks, balconies and railings, paving and vegetation
- Structural Components – Foundations and footings, beams, joists, trusses, framing, techniques for inspecting structures and detecting structural defects
- Interior of the House – Interior rooms and walls, attics and insulation, windows and doors, bathrooms, kitchens and kitchen appliances, basements and crawl spaces
- Plumbing – Water supply lines, waste piping, septic systems, connections, vents, drainage, bathroom and kitchen faucets and fixtures, water heaters, fuel storage tanks and lines, sump pumps and ejector pumps
- Heating System – Heat sources, fossil fuel combustion requirements, forced air heating, hydronic heating, space and wall heaters, fireplaces and chimneys, wood stoves and vents
- Air Conditioning – Basics of refrigeration, split cooling systems, ductless systems, geothermal and air source heat pumps
- Electrical Systems – Theory of electricity, service drops and distribution, wire gauges, main panels and subpanels, switches and outlets, ground fault interrupters, electrical fixtures, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
- Marketing Your Business – Strategies, tips and techniques for starting, growing and operating a successful home inspection business
- Commercial Inspections – Performing commercial building inspections, understanding ASTM international standards (formerly American Society for Testing Materials)
Once you’ve passed the exams, registered with the Arkansas Home Inspector Registration Board and received your Arkansas home inspector’s license, you’ll be qualified to perform home inspections anywhere in the state!
Here’s More of What’s Included with ICA Arkansas Home Inspector License Training
In addition to the most comprehensive home inspector training available in Arkansas, here are some of the other benefits you’ll receive when you train for your Arkansas home inspector license through Inspection Certification Associates:
- Lifetime access to all ICA online home inspection training materials
- Certification for residential and commercial inspections
- Radon and mold detection introductory bonus courses included at no extra cost. This is rare for home inspection training programs!
- Free Report Form Nitro inspection report software, an app for generating inspector/client agreements and issuing final reports using mobile devices — a $400 value, included free with your ICA Arkansas home inspector license training
- Unlimited lifetime ICA staff and instructor support for all students and graduates
- Lifetime listing in a local online directory — normally $200 annually, free to ICA graduates
- Lifetime access to all ICA online home inspection courses
- Lifetime online refresher training, including access to all the latest ICA course materials
- Free one-month membership to InterNACHI, the world’s largest home inspector organization
- Free one-year access to our membership portal, Edcetera Home Inspection, a $99 value
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