Becoming a Home Inspector in Ohio is pretty straightforward, but it requires completing a few essential tasks before you receive your Ohio Home Inspector license. If you’re looking for a place to start, this guide will walk you through the eight most essential steps toward obtaining your Home Inspection license.
Planning to become a Home Inspector in Ohio? Here’s what you should know
Before you obtain your Ohio Home Inspector license, you should know that the Ohio Department of Commerce has stated that any individual who wishes to conduct a Home Inspection in exchange for compensation must be licensed. The department’s code also requires establishing a written contract between the Home Inspector and the client before the inspection occurs.
Home Inspector License Requirements in Ohio
To become a Home Inspector in Ohio and be paid legally for your services, you must first meet the following requirements:
High School diploma or equivalent
Before becoming a Home Inspector in Ohio, you must obtain a high school diploma or the equivalent in the form of a GED.
Background check and fingerprinting
Ohio requires anyone wishing to become a certified Home Inspector to complete a background check and fingerprint exam.
80-hour Ohio-Approved course
Ohio requires that all license applicants complete at least 80 hours of home inspection education from an approved course.
40 hours of field training
Anyone who wishes to become a Home Inspector in Ohio must complete at least 40 hours of unpaid, supervised field inspections.
Submit to a Background and Criminal History test
You must submit a background and criminal history check before you can be approved and receive your Home Inspector license.
Take and pass the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE)
The National Home Inspector Exam is a written exam held in multiple locations nationwide. In Ohio, the NHIE is administered through an exam vendor known as PSI.
Provide proof of insurance
Ohio states that every Home Inspector must hold a general liability insurance policy or a commercial general liability insurance policy with a limit of at least $100,000 per occurrence or a $300,000 aggregate limit. You must secure and maintain proof of liability to be approved for a license.
How to become a Home Inspector in Ohio in 8 steps
Step 1 — Complete the 80-Hour Ohio-Approved Home Inspection Course
The first step you need to take in your journey to becoming a Home Inspector in Ohio is completing at least 80 hours of instruction in an Ohio-approved home inspection course. It is important to note that the amount of hours required to pass each course varies, with some courses approving as little as 80 hours while others require as many as 115.
Pro Tip
At the start of your journey towards becoming a Home Inspector in Ohio, be sure to familiarize yourself with the Home Inspection Requirements for the state of Ohio. Reviewing these requirements will help you chart your path and understand the requirements and steps.
Step 2 — Conduct 10 Parallel Home Inspections or Obtain 40 Hours of Experience
To obtain your home inspection license in Ohio, you must complete 40 hours of curriculum experience in addition to one peer review or ten parallel inspections. The parallel inspection is a home inspection completed by the applicant and supervised by a certified Home Inspector acting as a supervisor.
Pro Tip
The applicant must write a report for each home inspection, which the supervisor will review and correct. This report will be returned to the applicant within ten calendar days of its submission.
Step 3 — Register for & Pass the National Home Inspector Exam
After completing home inspections, you must pass the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE). The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions, 25 of which are not counted in the official score. In Ohio, the NHIE is administered through an exam vendor known as PSI. When preparing for the exam, it is essential to remember that the questions on the exam cover three central topics with which every Home Inspector in Ohio should be very familiar:
- Property and Building Inspection / Site Review
- Analysis of Findings and Reportings
- Professional Responsibilities
You must register for the exam once you are ready to take it. You must register for the exam in your specific state in advance; walk-in testing is prohibited. In the state of Ohio, the NHIE costs $225.
Pro Tip
The exam is scored on a scale of 200-800. You must obtain a score of at least 500 to pass the exam. If you fail the exam and wish to schedule a retake, you must wait at least 30 days to retake the test.
You can find more information on the exam and tips and resources for preparing for it on the official NHIE website.
The Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors (EBPHI) also has practice quizzes that can be purchased on the National Home Inspector Examination website.
Step 4 — Submit Your Home Inspector Application
After passing the National Home Inspector Exam, you must submit your Home Inspector application to the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing.
To complete the application, you must also obtain the following:
- The signature of your supervisor
- A seal by a notary
Pro Tip
Completed applications must be mailed, along with the application fee of $250, to the following address:
The Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing
77 South High Street, 20th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Step 5 — Complete A Background Check
To become a Home Inspector in Ohio, you must submit to two separate background checks: one by the state of Ohio and also a national background check. The Ohio State Police will conduct these background checks, which can only be completed once you have mailed your application to the Division.
Electronic fingerprints must be taken by a Webcheck user (a business, government agency, or private entity that provides criminal record check services) approved by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI&I).
Pro Tip
Applicants must also contact a Webcheck user to arrange for fingerprints to be taken and submitted to the BCI&I. You should also take your government-issued ID to your designated Webcheck location. Applicants should confirm that the Webcheck® user can submit state and FBI fingerprints to BCI&I.
Step 6 — Register Your Business
Register your business with the Ohio Secretary of State to become a licensed Home Inspector and start practicing. If you plan to work for yourself, you must also form an official legal entity. A business lawyer can help you with all the necessary legal steps and paperwork.
Pro Tip
On the other hand, you can also join a registered, established home inspection firm. The benefit of this is that all the complex legal work has already been completed.
Step 7 — Obtain An Insurance Policy
By law, every Ohio Home Inspector must maintain or be covered by either a comprehensive general liability insurance policy or a commercial general liability insurance policy with a limit of at least $100,000 per occurrence or a $300,000 aggregate limit.
These insurance policies will protect you and your business if a client files a lawsuit against you. Although these scenarios are rare, preparing yourself for a possible legal situation is crucial to becoming a Home Inspector in Ohio.
Pro Tip
When you file an initial Home Inspector license application with Ohio, you must submit a certificate of insurance (COI) from your insurer showing you are covered by a commercial general or comprehensive general liability policy for at least the required coverage amount stated above.
Step 8 — Maintain Your Education Requirements
As a licensed Home Inspector in Ohio, you must complete 14 hours of continual education every three years. Sec 4764.08 of the Ohio Home Inspector Licensing Law states that during each three years a license is valid, a licensed Home Inspector shall complete at least 14 hours of continuing education annually.
Pro Tip
To remain in good standing with the Ohio Department of State, you must stay committed to continuing your education. The 14 hours, as mentioned above, of education must be completed within one year before your license expiration date. Don’t put off completing your education until the last minute each year, as you may be unable to complete the hours in time.
If you fail to complete the education and your license expires, you may renew it within three months by submitting a late renewal application.
How long does it take to become a Home Inspector in Ohio?
The length of time it takes to become a Home Inspector in Ohio can vary depending on how much time you dedicate to completing all required steps. Some courses will train and prepare you to take the exam in a couple of months, while others may require nearly a year of training and practice.
How much does it cost to become a Home Inspector in Ohio?
The cost of becoming a Home Inspector in Ohio will vary depending on which course you take and how many times it takes you to complete and pass the Ohio Home Inspector Exam. Many training agencies and institutes will bundle the required 80-hour online course with 40 hours of field training, which can help you save money.
In addition to the cost of education, it is also essential to be aware of the expenses, such as the $225 required for the National Home Inspection Exam fee. Another cost factor is whether you would like to register as your legal business entity instead of joining a home inspection company. If you decide to work for yourself instead, forming a legal entity can cost upwards of $2,000. You may also need the assistance of a lawyer to complete this process, which can further increase costs.
Final Thoughts
Those wishing to become a Home Inspector in Ohio should follow the steps listed above to complete the process. While the steps are straightforward, obtaining the necessary education, experience, and certifications will take some time.
Some essential tasks to remember about becoming a Home Inspector in Ohio include the following:
- You must complete an approved 80-hour Ohio-approved home inspection course.
- The state of Ohio requires that you pass the National Home Inspector Exam.
- You must obtain and secure a general liability insurance policy or a commercial general liability insurance policy with a limit of at least $100,000 per occurrence or a $300,000 aggregate limit.
- Licensed applicants must submit to a criminal background check.
- To continue practicing home inspection in the state of Ohio, you must complete a total of 14 hours of continual education every three years.
If you’re considering working as a Home Inspector in Ohio and are looking to partner with a company that provides you with all the tools you need to complete training and inspections, contact our team at HomeGauge today.
FAQs
How hard is it to become a Home Inspector in Ohio?
It is not that difficult to become a Home Inspector in Ohio. Following the steps listed above will give you a great start on your journey toward becoming a licensed Home Inspector in Ohio.
Do you need a license to become a Home Inspector in Ohio?
Yes, anyone who wishes to become a Home Inspector in Ohio must first obtain an official license.
Do Ohio home inspection licenses expire?
Yes, your home inspection license expires every two years. Board Regulation 18 VAC 15-40-72 requires licensed Home Inspectors to complete 16 contact hours of additional training during each two-year cycle as a condition of renewal.
How much do Home Inspectors make in Ohio?
As of the publication of this article, Home Inspectors in Ohio make an average yearly income of $39,131.
What is the best Home Inspector training course in Ohio?
There isn’t one course that can be deemed the best Home Inspector training course in Ohio. However, there are several suitable options. We recommend you complete the research to find the school or course that best fits your needs.
A few of the most popular training programs for the National Home Inspection Exam include the following:
Disclaimer: The information in this article should be used as a guide and was accurate at the time of publishing. Check with your state authorities for the most up-to-date regulations.