How to Become a Home Inspector in North Dakota

Most individuals perceive a house as a sanctuary, yet it genuinely transforms into a home when it’s inhabited.

The majority of residences undergo inspection during their construction or when significant renovations become necessary.

Homeowners also seek the services of a home inspector when they decide to sell their property.

Becoming a home inspector in North Dakota doesn’t entail many prerequisites, making it an opportune moment to explore this profession.

Home Inspector Job Description in North Dakota

It’s essential to differentiate between a home inspection and a home appraisal.

A home inspection aims to uncover potential issues within the house, whereas a home appraisal determines the property’s value based on various factors.

A certified home inspector in North Dakota assesses:

• The functionality of heating and cooling systems.
• The integrity of plumbing.
• The electrical system.
• The condition of the roof.
• The stability of the foundation.
• Any damage caused by fire, water, insects, or other elements.

Following the inspection, a comprehensive report is compiled, which can significantly impact the property’s appraisal and the speed of its sale.

Depending on the age of the property, buyers could request a specialized type of inspection.

During such an inspection, professionals usually look for:

• Termites and other pests,
• The presence of lead, asbestos, mold, radon
• The integrity of the chimneys
• Other elements

Specialized inspections often incur additional fees.

While there aren’t stringent prerequisites for becoming a home inspector, licensure is mandatory.

The North Dakota Secretary of State decides the requirements for licensure.

Completing Your Home Inspector Training in North Dakota

In North Dakota, home inspectors are not required to undergo training, however, this is an expectation.

The next institutions have adequate training programs for future home inspectors in North Dakota.

Inspection Certification Associates (ICA)

The course offered by ICA has a fee of $695.

It includes valuable perks such as:

• A free report-writing software,
• A one-month InterNACHI membership,
• Flexibility in course completion timelines,
• A one-year access to Edcetera Home Inspection (typically a $99 value),
• A certification,
• A certification number

Those who enroll will also receive specialized training needed for:

• Detecting mold and radon gas
• Performing commercial inspections
• Home inspection code

AHIT

The course offered by AHIT costs $699.

For this fee, students have access to these perks:

• Self-paced online study
• Learning material on business and marketing
• The 14 critical components of a home inspection

However, the course doesn’t include training for mold, radon, or inspecting a commercial property.

These are included in the Expert training package that costs $1,399.

InterNACHI School

The InterNACHI School is one of the best ones to enroll at.

Almost everyone wanting to become a home inspector will become an InterNACHI member.

Membership to this organization costs $499 per year or $49 per month.

InterNACHI offers members various benefits, including marketing and business development support.

Furthermore, its members also receive perks such as:

• Insurance discounts
• Free access to the House of Horrors

There are just 2 Houses of Horrors nationwide, and an appointment is needed.

Members can test drive inspection tools, attend meetings, and more.

Passing the Licensing Exam as a Home Inspector in North Dakota

In North Dakota, there isn’t a state-specific licensing exam for home inspectors.

Instead, candidates must successfully complete the national-level exam, the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE), which can be taken online.

This exam comprises 200 questions, including 25 unscored ones, and lasts 4 hours.

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

The exam fee is approximately $225, varying by location.

If candidates do not pass, they must wait 30 days before retaking the exam.

The exam can be taken through one of the following organizations:

• Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors (EBPHI)
• International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI)
• American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)
• International Code Council (ICC)

Insurance as a Home Inspector in North Dakota

Home inspectors in North Dakota are required to have insurance coverage while practicing.

The errors and omissions insurance policy of a minimum coverage of $100,000.

This policy will cover claims of:

• Negligence,
• Errors in your services,
• Misrepresentation,
• Inaccurate advice,
• Omissions,
• Violations of good faith and fair dealing

After completing all these steps, candidates can submit their license application.

The associated fee is $200.

Once you become licensed, you’ll have to renew your credential every year.

The license renewal fee is $50.

Home Inspector Salary in North Dakota

It’s customary to inquire about potential earnings when investing time and effort into a career that requires training and examinations.

In North Dakota, the median salary for a home inspector is estimated at around $52,910 yearly.

For further insight, let’s examine median salary figures in cities across the state.

Regional Salary in North Dakota

Home Inspector by State