Are you looking to expand your skills and become a licensed Home Inspector in Virginia? A career as a Home Inspector can be a reliable and rewarding pursuit. Still, you must complete a few notable courses, exams, and tasks before you receive your certification. This article will outline the five steps you will need to take to become a licensed Home Inspector in Virginia.
Planning to become a Home Inspector in Virginia? Here’s what you should know:
The Home Inspector certification process in Virginia is not overly lengthy or complicated. Interested candidates must complete a course, a set number of in-person training hours, and pass the National Home Inspector exam. Before you obtain your Home Inspection certification in Ohio, you should know that the Virginia Department of Commerce has stated that any individual who wishes to conduct a Home Inspection in exchange for compensation must be licensed.
Virginia Home Inspector Requirements
To become a Home Inspector in Virginia, you must pass the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE) and complete a Virginia-Approved Home Inspector course.
High School Diploma
Before training to become a Home Inspector in Virginia, you must obtain a high school diploma or GED.
Complete 70 Hours of Course Training
Virginia requires anyone wishing to become a licensed home inspector to complete a state-approved 70-hour pre-licensing course.
Complete 25 Home Inspections under the supervision of a licensed Home Inspector
As part of your training to become a home inspector in Virginia, you must also participate in at least 25 home inspections while supervised by a licensed Home Inspector.
Provide Proof of the Minimum Insurance Requirements
Virginia requires that anyone wishing to become a licensed Home Inspector be at least 18.
How to Become a Home Inspector in Virginia in 5 Steps
Step 1: Complete a Virginia-Approved 70-Hour Home Inspection Course
To work as a Home Inspector, the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation requires that you obtain a license. Before getting this license, you must complete a state-approved Home Inspection course.
Pro Tip
While state-approved Home Inspection courses usually cover the same material, there are multiple options for the course provider. Below, you can find a list of a few of the most popular approved training courses:
Step 2: Pass the National Home Inspector Exam
Like many other states, Virginia requires that you pass the National Home Inspector Exam, consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions, 25 of which are not counted in your official test score. The questions on the exam cover three topics, which are listed below:
- Property and Building Inspection / Site Review
- Analysis of Findings and Reportings
- Professional Responsibilities
You will be allotted 4 hours to take the exam; each attempt will cost $225. The National Home Inspector Exam is scored on a scale of 200-800. To pass the test, you must score at least 500.
Pro Tip
In Virginia, the GI Bill may reimburse veterans who take the test. Anyone who wishes to exercise this benefit should complete a VBA-22-0803-ARE and submit it with the receipt to the Virginia government for reimbursement.
You can prepare yourself for the exam by taking practice quizzes. While you may be able to find various practice questions online, we recommend sticking with the official practice quizzes, which can be purchased on the National Home Inspector Examination website.
Step 3: Complete Ride-Along Home Inspections in Virginia
After passing the National Home Inspector Exam, you can complete ride-along home inspections as the next part of your training. These 25 inspections must be completed alongside a Home Inspector who is licensed in the state of Virginia.
Pro Tip
The Virginia Association of Real Estate Inspectors has a mentorship program where you can complete your required ride-along inspections with a chosen association member.
Step 4: Obtain General Liability Insurance of At Least $250,000 Per Occurrence
By law, every Home Inspector in Virginia 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 $250,000.
This insurance policy 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 essential to becoming a Home Inspector in Virginia.
Pro Tip
The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) offers insurance for home inspectors. InterNACHI members receive unique insurance discounts and custom exchange coverage through the EliteRisk insurance program.
Step 5: Submit Documentation to the Virginia Department of Professional & Occupational Regulation
Once you have obtained your insurance, you are only a few steps away from becoming an official Home Inspector in Virginia. However, before you can begin practicing, you must submit a completed application form to the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
Pro Tip
In addition to your completed application form, you must also submit an $80 fee to become a licensed Home Inspector. Application fees are not refundable and can be submitted as a check, money order, or completed credit card insert.
The current application can be found here.
How long does it take to become a Home Inspector in Virginia?
The time to become a Home Inspector in Virginia may vary depending on how long you complete the necessary training and tests. It may take weeks or a few months.
How much does it cost to become a Home Inspector in Virginia?
To earn your Virginia Home Inspector License, you must send your completed application to the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation with an $80 fee. In addition to this fee, you will also have to pay $225 to take the National Home Inspector Exam. It will cost at least $305 to become a Home Inspector in Virginia.
Final Thoughts
Those wishing to become a Home Inspector in Virginia should follow the steps listed above to complete the process. While the process is straightforward, obtaining the required education, experience, and certifications may take some time.
Some essential items and steps to keep in mind on your journey toward becoming a Home Inspector in Virginia include the following:
- You must complete a state-approved 70-hour Home Inspection course.
- The state requires that you pass the National Home Inspector Exam.
- You must secure, maintain, and continue to prove a comprehensive or commercial general insurance liability policy with a limit of at least $250,000.
- You must submit your completed documentation to the Virginia Department of Professional & Occupational Regulation.
If you’re considering becoming a Home Inspector in Virginia and would like to partner with a company that can assist you, our team at HomeGauge would be happy to help. We can provide you with all the business-related tools needed to complete inspections efficiently and expand your business.
FAQs
Do you need a license to become a Home Inspector in Virginia?
Yes, the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation requires that you obtain a license before becoming a Home Inspector.
How difficult is it to become a Home Inspector in Virginia?
Becoming a Home Inspector in Virginia is a fairly straightforward, not overly complicated process. You will, however, need to complete an official course, pass the National Home Inspector Exam, and complete ride-along inspections.
Do Virginia home inspection licenses expire?
Yes, your home inspection license expires every three years. As a licensed Home Inspector in Ohio, you must complete 14 hours of continual education every three years to renew your license.
How much do Home Inspectors make in Virginia?
As of the publication of this article, Home Inspectors make an average yearly wage of $76,450 in Virginia.
What is the best Home Inspector training in Virginia?
There is no definitive best Home Inspector training course in Virginia, but dozens of reputable schools exist. Below, we’ve listed a few popular programs that have helped thousands become licensed Home Inspectors.
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI)
InterNACHI provides free training, online testing, certification, business development, marketing support, and discounts on Home Inspector needs, such as software and insurance. The cost to become a member of InterNACHI is either $49/month or $499/year.
American Home Inspectors Training (AHIT)
American Home Inspectors Training (AHIT) provides courses and license requirements for becoming a Home Inspector in every state. There are multiple different pricing options among their online course offerings, ranging from $595 to $795. In-person classes are also offered in certain areas and usually cost $1495.
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.