by 
Many regard a house as a sanctuary, yet it only truly becomes a home when lived in.
Typically, houses undergo inspection during construction or significant renovations.
Additionally, homeowners often require the services of a home inspector when planning to sell their property.
In California, the requirements for becoming a home inspector are relatively straightforward, making this the right page for you if you aspire to join this profession.
Article Table of Contents
Home Inspector Job Description in California
The fundamental aspect to understand about a home inspection is that its primary goal is to identify any issues the house might have.
It’s essential to distinguish this from a home appraisal, which determines a house’s value based on various factors.
A home inspector assesses:
- The functionality of heating and cooling systems.
- Plumbing.
- Electrical systems within the property.
- The roof’s condition.
- The structural integrity of the house.
- Any damages caused by fire, water, insects, or other environmental factors.
Following the inspection, the inspector is obligated to compile a comprehensive report detailing their findings.
This report can significantly impact the house’s appraisal value and its chances of a quick sale.
Depending on the age of the house or building, a specialized home inspection might be needed.
This could involve assessments for:
- Termite infestations.
- The presence of other pests.
- The presence of lead-based materials.
- Asbestos.
- Mold and mildew.
- Radon gas.
- Chimney integrity.
- Other unique elements.
Specialized inspections often incur additional fees. While there are no stringent prerequisites for becoming a home inspector, holding a valid license is mandatory.
Complete Your Home Inspector Training in California
In California, home inspectors are overseen by the Division of Construction Management.
This division requires candidates to complete a 120-hour training course in home inspection.
Furthermore, you’ll need to perform some inspections under the guidance of a licensed home inspector.
Here are some schools you can consider for your training.
ICA 
Consider enrolling in Inspection Certification Associates (ICA), which offers an online course for aspiring home inspectors.
This course costs $695.
It offers several advantages, such as:
- A free report-writing software,
- A one-month free membership with InterNACHI,
- No time constraints for course completion
- One-year access to Edcetera Home Inspection (it usually costs $99)
- A certification number,
- The necessary practice hours for licensing.
InterNACHI School 
InterNACHI School is a well-known institution for those aspiring to become home inspectors.
The college offers free training to association members, with the course accessible online for convenience.
The membership costs only $49.
This organization also provides numerous benefits to its members, including support for marketing and business development.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| ICA | online |
| InterNACHI School | online |
Pass the Licensing Exam as a Home Inspector in California
It’s important to note that there is no state-specific exam to become a licensed home inspector in California.
Instead, you must pass the national-level exam, which is conveniently available online.
Only after meeting these criteria can you register for the exam, which comprises two parts:
The National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE) consists of 200 questions (25 unscored) and lasts four hours.
It covers property and building inspection, site review, analysis of findings and reporting, and professional responsibilities.
The exam fee, approximately $225 (varies by location), applies, and candidates failing the test must wait 30 days before retaking it.
The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) exam, is free of charge.
Insurance as a Home Inspector in California
In California, home inspectors are not bound to have any insurance.
It is good practice to have at least one though.
Sometimes, home inspectors working for companies might be covered by the company’s insurance policy.
These are the most common policies:
- General liability policy at around $40 per month
- Errors and omissions insurance at around $59 per month
After completing all these steps, you can submit your license application and the associated fee.
The application must be notarized, and both documents can be submitted online.
Home Inspector Salary in California
For those embarking on a career that involves training and passing exams, it’s natural to want to know potential earnings.
In California, the average salary for this position is around $60,779 per year.
To provide a more detailed perspective, here are salary figures from cities with the highest median salaries in the state.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alviso | $69,155 |
| Sunnyvale | $69,155 |
| Stanford | $69,023 |
| Sausalito | $68,879 |
| Alameda | $67,226 |
| Alamo | $67,072 |
| San Ramon | $67,006 |
| Vineburg | $61,760 |
| Tomales | $61,716 |
| Acton | $61,502 |
Regional Salary in California
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA | 250 | $79,510 | $38.22 | $123,090 | $44,250 |
| Chico, CA | 50 | $90,910 | $43.71 | $137,320 | $57,120 |
| El Centro, CA | 30 | $82,890 | $39.85 | $119,850 | $55,440 |
| Fresno, CA | 250 | $81,240 | $39.06 | $114,230 | $43,980 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 3,880 | $95,790 | $46.05 | $135,030 | $48,470 |
| Madera, CA | 50 | $95,090 | $45.72 | $140,170 | $52,420 |
| Modesto, CA | 140 | $85,490 | $41.1 | $118,420 | $50,440 |
| Napa, CA | 40 | $98,990 | $47.59 | $127,190 | $57,910 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 190 | $86,520 | $41.6 | $116,500 | $48,440 |
| Redding, CA | 50 | $84,130 | $40.45 | $135,230 | $50,720 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 1,300 | $85,260 | $40.99 | $117,710 | $46,660 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | 910 | $93,250 | $44.83 | $131,500 | $51,040 |
| Salinas, CA | 80 | $92,300 | $44.38 | $123,640 | $54,150 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | 1,040 | $86,790 | $41.73 | $121,000 | $47,690 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 2,150 | $115,890 | $55.72 | $166,180 | $64,550 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 740 | $109,880 | $52.83 | $142,880 | $59,850 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA | 100 | $84,080 | $40.43 | $132,670 | $48,750 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 60 | $107,620 | $51.74 | $155,580 | $62,010 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 130 | $103,770 | $49.89 | $155,850 | $61,880 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 150 | $107,570 | $51.72 | $187,710 | $66,020 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 160 | $95,320 | $45.83 | $127,450 | $59,830 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | 270 | $102,870 | $49.46 | $137,460 | $60,820 |
| Visalia-Porterville, CA | 150 | $76,160 | $36.61 | $115,870 | $53,080 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What skill are needed for a home inspector in California?
Here are the most useful skills for this occupation:
- Interpersonal Skills
- A Working Knowledge of Construction
- Self-Motivation
What other requirements are there to become a home inspector in California?
As a rule of thumb, there are no requirements for this position.
However, employers can require for:
- A background check
- High school diploma or GED
- A personal insurance policy
Can I work as a freelance home inspector in California?
The short answer is yes.
You can work on your own, open your own home inspection firm either as a sole proprietor or LLC, or become an employee of an already established firm.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Home Inspector
Home Inspector by State