by 
Many people perceive a house as a sanctuary of safety.
However, for a house to truly transform into a home, it must be inhabited and filled with the warmth of daily life.
The majority of houses undergo inspections either during their construction phase or when significant renovations are required.
Additionally, homeowners often seek the services of a home inspector when they decide to sell their property.
Becoming a home inspector in Florida doesn’t entail numerous prerequisites, making this the ideal resource if you aspire to become one.
Article Table of Contents
Home Inspector Job Description in Florida
It’s essential to recognize that a home inspection’s primary purpose is to identify any issues that may exist within the house.
This differs from a home appraisal, which assesses the house’s value based on various factors.
A comprehensive home inspection in Florida encompasses the evaluation of:
- Heating and cooling systems
- Plumbing
- Electrical systems on the property
- The condition of the roof
- The structural integrity of the house’s foundation
- Any damage resulting from fire, water, pests, or other external factors
Upon concluding the inspection, the inspector is required to generate a detailed report that summarizes their findings.
This report can significantly impact the house’s appraisal value and its likelihood of selling quickly.
Depending on the age of the house or building, specialized home inspections may be necessary.
These specialized inspections can include assessments for:
- Termite infestations
- Other pest-related issues
- Presence of lead
- Asbestos
- Mold and mildew growth
- Radon gas levels
- Chimney condition
- Various other property elements
Specialized inspections may incur additional fees.
While there are no specific prerequisites for becoming a home inspector, this profession requires a valid license.
Completing Your Home Inspector Training in Florida
The oversight of home inspectors in Florida is managed by The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
To obtain a license, candidates are obliged to complete a 120-hour training program in home inspection.
Here are two schools you can consider for your academic training.
ICA (Inspection Certification Associates) 
ICA, which stands for Inspection Certification Associates, provides an online training program for individuals aspiring to become home inspectors.
This program comes at a cost of $695 and offers several advantages:
- Complimentary Report Writing Software, which typically retails for $399
- A free one-month membership with InterNACHI (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors)
- Free access for one year to Edcetera Home Inspection, usually valued at $99
- No set time limit for course completion
- A certificate and certification number
- The mandatory hours of practice to fulfill licensing requirements
InterNACHI School 
InterNACHI School is a renowned institution for individuals seeking to become home inspectors.
Members of this association can access the training program for free.
Moreover, the course is available online, ensuring accessibility for all interested parties.
InterNACHI also offers numerous benefits to its members, including support for marketing and business development.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| InterNACHI School | online |
| ICA | online |
Passing the Licensing Exam as a Home Inspector in Florida
In Florida, future home inspectors can choose one of the 4 licensing exams available.
InterNACHI
This exam has a duration of 1 hour and can only be taken in person.
There are 125 questions to answer.
The exam fee is $125.
National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE)
This test has a duration of 4 hours.
Additionally, there are 200 questions to answer, but 25 of them are irrelevant to your score.
You’ll have to pay about $225 to take this test.
Florida Association of Building Inspectors (FABI)
This exam has 100 questions with multiple choices for answers.
There’s a book that helps candidates to prepare for this test.
To take the exam you have to pay $200 and you have 2 hours to finish it.
This is another test offered in person at various locations.
Association of Construction Industry’s Certified Home & Property Inspector Examination (CI-HPI)
This exam can be taken either in person or online.
Regardless of the choice, you have 2 hours to answer all the questions.
The fee differs as follows:
- $250 for in-person option
- $150 for the online option
There’s a waiting period of 30 days for those who fail this exam if they want to re-take it.
Insurance for Home Inspectors in Florida
Home inspectors in Florida are expected to carry insurance while practicing their profession.
The policy has to be of at least $300,000 and it should cover a commercial general liability.
For small companies, this means around $40 per month.
Send Your Application
The application can be sent either in-person or online.
The fee associated with the application is $230.
You must pass a background check as well, and this involves having your fingerprints taken.
This process costs an additional $54.25.
Home Inspector Salary in Florida
When investing time and effort into training and obtaining licenses, it’s natural to inquire about potential earnings.
In Florida, the median salary for a home inspector is approximately $52,348 per year.
For a more detailed breakdown, consider the following figures from cities in Florida with the highest median salaries.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Boca Raton | $54,235 |
| Deerfield Beach | $54,235 |
| Delray Beach | $54,235 |
| Greenacres | $54,103 |
| Belle Glade | $53,904 |
| Indiantown | $53,904 |
| Dania | $53,511 |
| Fort Lauderdale | $53,511 |
| Hollywood | $53,511 |
| Elfers | $52,166 |
Regional Salary in Florida
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | 570 | $64,520 | $31.02 | $83,970 | $47,840 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | 210 | $64,240 | $30.89 | $89,810 | $38,160 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | 370 | $61,430 | $29.53 | $82,740 | $43,220 |
| Gainesville, FL | 150 | $63,120 | $30.34 | $86,330 | $46,820 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | 30 | $56,440 | $27.14 | $81,370 | $36,400 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 990 | $64,540 | $31.03 | $86,000 | $46,250 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | 270 | $60,740 | $29.2 | $87,670 | $40,470 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 3,130 | $72,890 | $35.04 | $102,170 | $45,760 |
| Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL | 270 | $65,300 | $31.39 | $85,570 | $42,740 |
| North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL | 420 | $64,590 | $31.06 | $92,170 | $46,700 |
| Ocala, FL | 80 | $56,350 | $27.09 | $82,740 | $36,150 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 1,630 | $65,310 | $31.4 | $90,030 | $41,760 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 320 | $63,620 | $30.59 | $90,560 | $42,690 |
| Panama City, FL | 170 | $63,120 | $30.35 | $85,570 | $42,910 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | 260 | $55,590 | $26.72 | $78,410 | $36,450 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 210 | $65,280 | $31.39 | $89,270 | $48,400 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | 60 | $66,340 | $31.89 | $92,110 | $48,380 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL | 40 | $67,340 | $32.37 | $89,910 | $41,450 |
| Tallahassee, FL | 210 | $57,660 | $27.72 | $76,270 | $40,000 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 1,850 | $64,790 | $31.15 | $91,540 | $44,230 |
| The Villages, FL | 40 | $67,320 | $32.37 | $95,360 | $45,310 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a criminal background affect the outcome of getting licensed as a home inspector in Florida?
Fortunately, no.
Your background might have an impact on getting hired, depending on the employer.
What skills are needed for a home inspector in Florida?
Here are the most useful skills for this occupation:
- Interpersonal Skills
- A Working Knowledge of Construction
- Self-Motivation
Can I work as a freelance home inspector in Florida?
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