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Beginning July 1, 2017 the State of Virginia has enacted new licensing requirements for home inspectors. Prior to July 1, 2017 Virginia had what they referred to as a voluntary certification program for home inspectors. As of July 1, 2017 home inspectors in Virginia are now required to be licensed by the state. The new requirements are detailed below.
Steps to become a Virginia Licensed Home Inspector as of July 1, 2017
- You must complete a Virginia State approved home inspection course, which must contain hands-on field inspections. Our ICA home inspection course is fully approved to meet this reqirement. You can view the official list of Virginia approved home inspection coursesright on the state of Virginia home inspection board website by clicking here. You will see us listed.
- After completing the online portion of our Virginia home inspection licensing course students also must complete 10 field inspections to meet the hands-on field inspection requirement for Virginia. There are no additional fees for the field inspections and report reviews. We even provide you with your inspection reports and reporting software, which is yours to keep. That reporting software sells for $300 elsewhere but is free for our students.
- Students must pass the National Home Inspector Exam. We fully prepare all students for the National Home Inspector Exam and even include a free 700 question exam prep module. The National Home Inspector exam is given by a third party testing company that does all the state exams for occupations in Virginia. The home inspection exam can be taken any day of the week in the following cities: Alexandria, Charlottesville, Falls Church, Herndon, Midlothian, Norfolk, Richmond, Roanoke, Tyson’s Corner, or Virginia Beach.
Steps to become a home inspector in Virginia prior to July 1, 2017
- Register for the ICA Real Estate Inspection Certification Program. This will not only give you all the knowledge you’ll need to perform a home inspection and own/operate your own successful home inspection business, but you’ll also learn all about commercial inspections, as well as mold, radon, and code. Virginia is unique, in that the state does not have formal licensing requirements for home inspectors. They do however, have rules that you should be compliant with. The rules state that before you can market yourself as a Virginia State Certified Home Inspector, you must complete at least 70 hours of home inspection training, perform 50 home inspections, and pass either the National Home Inspectors Exam or the NAHI exam. The 50 inspections can still be performed on your own, you just can’t market yourself as being Virginia Certified until you’ve completed all 50. Those 50 inspections can be paid or performed as practice inspections for friends or neighbors.Upon completion of the course you will be an ICA Certified Home Inspector and we will issue you a certification number, which you can use on your business cards and inspection reports.
- Take the either the National Home Inspectors Exam or the NAHI exam.
- Start your own business or go to work for an existing company!
Virginia Home Inspection License Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a home inspector in Virginia?
As stated above, once you complete our online course and the required home inspection field training you have now become an ICA certified home inspector. Upon completion of the course we mail out your home inspection certification and issue you your certification number. That number is what you’ll want to put on your business cards and home inspection reports. You also will need to take the National home inspectors exam, which we prepare you for.
How much money do home inspectors make?
The average salary for a home inspector in Virginia is approximately $74,000 per year.
How much does a home inspection pay?
The average inspection fee for a 2,000 square foot home inspection in Virginia is $375. The amount you charge for a home inspection will vary based upon age and square footage of the home. We cover that all during the course.
Does a home inspector need to get on the roof of the home?
No. Home inspectors should not go on the roof of the home during the inspection. Per current standards of practice, the proper way to inspect a roof is to stand back and use a good pair of binoculars. A couple home inspectors have even started using small drones to inspect a roof. We actually include a module on how to use a drone to inspect the roof of a home. Over ninety percent of home inspectors use the binocular technique for inspecting the roof of a home.
Is your training recognized by ASHI?
Yes. We work closely with the American Society of Home Inspectors. In fact we train you specifically to the ASHI standards of practice. Because our home inspection school is an ASHI Gold Affiliate, all of our graduates are eligible for a free one year associate membership with ASHI after completing our online home inspection training course. After that, if you want to further your membership you can take and pass the National Home Inspectors Exam along with the ASHI standards and ethics exam.
Is your training recognized by NAHI?
Yes. In fact all of our graduates are eligible for a free 6 month membership with the National Association of Home Inspectors. To take advantage of that you just need to provide them with a copy of your certification from us along with two completed home inspection reports. Those can even be practice inspections. Also, to receive the free 6 month membership you must initiate that within 90 days of completing our online home inspection course. Note: This has changed for 2017, as NAHI and ASHI have merged. All NAHI members are now ASHI members.
Do you mail me a hard copy of my certification?
Yes. We mail out your home inspection certification out to you upon completion of our online course. We also mail out a wallet-sized, laminated copy of your credentials.
What should I use for my inspection report when I perform a home inspection?
We have an arrangement with www.homeinspectionform.com where our graduates receive a free copy of their Report Form Pro home inspection reporting software. That is the report that most of our graduates start with since it is so easy to use. Normally selling for $300 the Report Form Pro home inspection report can be printed and filled out by hand, or filled out on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. You can even put in photos easily. They also have a mobile app version of their home inspection report that can be used on an android or apple mobile device. At the end of the day, all that matters is that you have a home inspection report form that you’re comfortable with and these are both good home inspection report options.
Is there a time limit for the online home inspection course for Virginia?
No. There is no time limit on our course so you can take as much time as you would like to complete it.
Do you provide a list of tools that I need for performing a home inspection?
Yes. We provide you with a list of tools needed. It comes out to a little under $200, including the non-invasive moisture meter, combustible gas detector, etc.
What about marketing materials?
We suggest using www.vistaprint.com for your business cards, brochures, and company website if you set one up. They are very affordable and even have templates specific to home inspection businesses.
Do you offer my state test?
No schools are allowed to give the home inspection exam in Virginia. That test is given by a third party testing company.
Do you send my certificate to the board?
Actually, the way it works is once you complete our course and pass the Virginia exam, you will send the board a copy of your certification from us along with your score sheet from the Virginia exam. Then you will be issued your home inspection license.
Can I start my own home inspection business after taking your online course?
Yes. In fact the majority of our graduates will start their own successful home inspection business after completing our course. We also train you on the whole marketing and business start-up side of things, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
What if I have questions during my course?
We have full support for all students and graduates, both during and after the course. Even if you have questions when you are on a home inspection we can assist.
Do I need to be a contractor to be a home inspector?
No. We train students from all different backgrounds to be successful home inspectors.
It doesn’t matter whether you want to become a home inspector in DC, Richmond, Virginia Beach, Alexandria, Norfolk, Roanoke or Fairfax – our online home inspection course can be completed from anywhere.