How to Become a Home Inspector in Maine

Most people view a house as a sanctuary—a place of safety.

However, it’s the act of dwelling within a house that truly transforms it into a home.

The majority of houses undergo inspections during their construction phase or when substantial renovations are required.

Homeowners seeking to sell their property also find the services of a home inspector invaluable.

Becoming a home inspector in Maine involves minimal prerequisites, making this page a valuable resource for those considering this profession.

Home Inspector Job Description in Maine

Understanding that the primary objective of a home inspection is to identify any issues present in the house is crucial.

It’s important to distinguish this role from that of a home appraiser, whose task is to determine a house’s value based on various factors.

A home inspector evaluates various critical components, including:

• The functionality of heating and cooling systems.
• Plumbing systems.
• The condition of electrical systems on the property.
• The state of the roof.
• The structural integrity of the house’s foundation.
• Any damage caused by fire, water, pests, or environmental factors.

Upon completing the inspection, the inspector is responsible for generating a comprehensive report detailing their findings.

This report holds significant sway over the house’s appraised value and its potential to sell quickly.

Depending on the age of the house or specific requirements, specialized home inspections may be necessary.

These specialized inspections can include assessments for:

• Termite infestations.
• The presence of other pests.
• Lead content.
• Asbestos.
• Mold and mildew growth.
• Radon levels.
• Chimney integrity.
• Other elements that demand special attention.

Specialized inspections often incur additional fees.

While the path to becoming a home inspector in Maine does not involve stringent prerequisites, obtaining a license is a compulsory step.

Complete Your Home Inspector Training in Maine

Home inspectors in Maine fall under the oversight of the Maine Division of Environmental Health’s Radon Section.

This regulatory body mandates candidates to complete a 120-hour training program for home inspection.

Additionally, candidates must carry out a minimum of 35 inspections under the guidance of a licensed home inspector.

ICA – Inspection Certification Associates

For those aspiring to become home inspectors, the Inspection Certification Associates (ICA) offers an online course.

This comprehensive course has a fee of $695 and provides numerous benefits, including:

• Access to Free Report Writing Software, typically valued at $399.
• A complimentary one-month membership with InterNACHI.
• Free one-year access to Edcetera Home Inspection, typically costing $99.
• No time constraints for course completion.
• Receipt of a certificate and a unique certification number.
• Completion of the mandatory 35 practice hours required for licensure.

InterNACHI School

The InterNACHI School is a reputable institution for future home inspectors.

The school extends the training course at no cost to members of the association, and it is conveniently accessible online.

Moreover, the organization offers various benefits to its members.

These include marketing support, assistance with business development, and continuing education classes for license renewal.

For now, Maine doesn’t require the licenses for home inspectors to be renewed.

Passing the Licensing Exam as a Home Inspector in Maine

Maine does not administer a state-specific exam for home inspector licensing.

Instead, candidates are required to successfully pass a national-level exam, which can be taken online.

However, before taking the exam you must make sure you meet the criteria as described above.

Once these conditions are met, candidates can sign up for the licensing exam which is the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE).

This exam comprises 200 questions, including 25 unscored items, and has a duration of 4 hours.

It covers various topics, including property and building inspection, site reviews, analysis of findings and reporting, and professional responsibilities.

The exam fee is approximately $225, subject to location-based variations.

Candidates who do not pass must wait for 30 days before attempting a retest.

Insurance as a Home Inspector in Maine

Maine mandates that home inspectors carry insurance as part of their professional practice.

Specifically, 2 types of insurance are mandatory:

• General liability policy at around $40 per month
• Errors and omissions insurance at around $59 per month

After successfully completing all the aforementioned steps, candidates can proceed to submit their license application, along with the associated $300 fee.

The application must be notarized, and both documents can be conveniently submitted online.

Home Inspector Salary in Maine

It is natural to be curious about potential earnings when embarking on a career that requires training and the successful completion of exams.

In Maine, the median salary for a home inspector typically falls around $53,120 annually.

Below, we provide a breakdown with additional figures from cities where the median salary tends to be higher within the state.

Regional Salary in Maine

Home Inspector by State