How to Become a Home Inspector in Minnesota

Everyone perceives a house as a sanctuary, a place of safety.

However, a house truly transforms into a home only when it becomes inhabited.

Most houses undergo inspection during their construction or when significant renovations are necessary.

A home inspector also plays a pivotal role when homeowners contemplate selling their property.

In Minnesota, the prerequisites for pursuing a career as a home inspector are relatively straightforward.

If you aspire to become one, you’re in the right place.

Home Inspector Job Description in Minnesota

The fundamental aspect to understand about home inspection is its core purpose: to uncover any issues a house might hide.

This should not be confused with a home appraisal, which aims to determine a property’s value based on various factors.

A home inspector’s responsibilities encompass assessing:

• The functionality of heating and cooling systems.
• The integrity of plumbing.
• The electrical systems within the property.
• The condition of the roof.
• The stability of the house’s foundation.
• Any damage caused by fire, water, insects, or other environmental factors.

Upon completing the inspection, the inspector must compile a comprehensive report detailing their findings.

This report holds significant influence over the property’s appraisal and its potential for a quick sale.

Depending on the age of the house or building, a specialized home inspection may be necessary, involving checks for:

• Termites
• Other pests
• Lead
• Asbestos
• Mold and mildew
• Radon
• Chimneys
• Other unique elements

This specialized inspection may entail additional fees.

While there are no specific prerequisites for becoming a home inspector, professionals in this field in Minnesota must possess a valid license.

Complete Your Home Inspector Training in Minnesota

The oversight of home inspectors in Minnesota falls under the jurisdiction of the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

But keep in mind that this state currently has no regulations regarding this occupation.

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry mandates that candidates complete a 120-hour training course for home inspection.

Additionally, candidates must engage in 35 inspections under the supervision of a licensed home inspector.

Various institutions offer training programs for aspiring home inspectors.

InterNACHI School

One option is InterNACHI School, a reputable institution offering free training courses to association members.

These courses are accessible online, ensuring convenience for all.

Furthermore, there is no time limit to finish the class.

InterNACHI also provides various perks to its members, including support for marketing and business development.

Inspection Certification Associates (ICA)

ICA has a home inspector course priced at $695.

It comes with numerous benefits: 

• Report writing software,
• One month of InterNACHI membership,
• Fulfillment of the 35-hour practice requirement for licensing.
• One year of access to Edcetera Home Inspection (typically priced at $99),
• No time limit for course completion,
• A certificate, a certification number,

Pass the Licensing Exam as a Home Inspector in Minnesota

It’s crucial to understand that Minnesota does not have a state-specific exam for obtaining a home inspector license.

However, candidates are required to pass a nationally recognized exam.

The advantage is that this exam can be taken online. However, several prerequisites must be met before taking the test:

• Completion of the education and training requirements mentioned above.
• Successful completion of 25 home inspection reports reviewed by a licensed home inspector supervisor.

Candidates have to sit through the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE).

This test has 200 questions (25 of which are not scored) with a duration of 4 hours.

The exam covers topics such as property and building inspection, site review, analysis of findings, reporting, and professional responsibilities.

The exam fee is approximately $225, and this depends on where you go to take the exam.

Candidates who do not pass an exam must wait for a 30-day period before attempting it again.

Insurance as a Home Inspector in Minnesota

Home inspectors in Minnesota are expected to carry insurance coverage while practicing their profession.

There are 2 basic insurance policies that the majority of home inspectors get:

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

Upon completing all these steps, individuals can submit their license application along with the associated $300 fee.

Both the application and fee can be submitted online.

Home Inspector Salary in Minnesota

For those dedicating time and effort to a career that involves examinations and training, it’s natural to inquire about potential earnings.

In Minnesota, the median salary for a home inspector is about $56,470 per year.

Below, we provide a breakdown of median salaries in various cities across the state.

Regional Salary in Minnesota

Home Inspector by State