How to Become a Home Inspector in Virginia

Everyone perceives a house as a secure haven.

Nevertheless, a house must be inhabited to transform into a home.

Most houses undergo inspections during their construction or when major renovations are required.

A home inspector is also essential when homeowners aim to sell their property.

There aren’t stringent requirements for becoming a home inspector in Virginia, so if you aspire to become one, you’ve come to the right place.

Home Inspector Job Description in Virginia

The foremost aspect to understand about a home inspection is that its purpose is to identify any issues the house might have.

It’s distinct from a home appraisal, which determines the house’s value based on several factors.

A home inspector will assess:

• The functionality of the heating and cooling systems.
• The plumbing system.
• The electrical work
• The condition of the roof.
• The integrity of the house’s foundation.
• Any damage resulting from fire, water, pests, or other external elements.

Upon completing the inspection, the inspector is obligated to compile a detailed report outlining their findings.

This report can significantly influence the house’s appraisal value and its potential for a quick sale.

Depending on the age of the house or building, a specialized home inspection might be necessary.

This can involve examining for:

• Termites and other pests.
• Lead.
• Asbestos.
• Mold and mildew.
• Radon.
• Chimney condition.
• Other specific elements.

Bear in mind that these specialized inspections may incur additional fees.

While there are no stringent prerequisites for becoming a home inspector, this profession necessitates obtaining a license.

Complete Your Home Inspector Training in Virginia

Home inspectors in Virginia are overseen by the Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors.

To become a licensed home inspector, candidates must complete a 70-hour home inspection training course.

Additionally, candidates must perform 25 inspections under the guidance of an already licensed home inspector.

There are multiple avenues to obtain this training, so let’s see them below!

ICA (Inspection Certification Associates)

The ICA course is priced at $1,395 and includes the following benefits:

• Free report-writing software.
• A one-month InterNACHI membership.
• One-year access to Edcetera Home Inspection (usually valued at $99).
• Flexibility in completing the course.
• Certification.

This class will have students attending classroom education for 4 days as well.

InterNACHI School

The InterNACHI School is the top choice for those aspiring to be home inspectors.

Almost all individuals looking to become home inspectors decide to join InterNACHI.

Membership comes at an annual cost of $499 or a monthly subscription of $49.

Members enjoy significant benefits, including help with marketing and support for their businesses.

Moreover, they have access to exclusive advantages, such as:

• Discounts on insurance.
• Free entry to the House of Horrors.

It’s worth noting that there are only two Houses of Horrors nationwide, so appointments are required.

Within these facilities, members can try out various inspection tools, attend meetings, and gain valuable experience.

Additionally, InterNACHI provides comprehensive assistance for marketing and business development.

Pass the Licensing Exam as a Home Inspector in Virginia

In Virginia, there is no state-specific licensing exam for home inspectors.

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

The advantage is that this exam can be taken online.

However, certain prerequisites must be met before you can sit for the test:

Complete your education as described above.

Ensure you’ve completed 25 home inspection reports that have been reviewed by your supervising licensed home inspector.

The national examination, NHIE, covers three main areas:

• Property and Building Inspection/Site Review.
• Analysis of Findings and Reporting.
• Professional Responsibilities.

The exam fee may vary depending on the testing location, and candidates are required to answer 200 questions within a 4-hour time frame.

Out of these questions, 25 will not be included in the final score.

In case of a failure, candidates must wait for a 30-day period before they can attempt the exam again.

Insurance as a Home Inspector in Virginia

Home inspectors in Virginia are required to have insurance coverage.

Several types of insurance are necessary:

• Errors and omissions insurance policy with a minimum coverage of $250,000.
• $50,000 in coverage for personal injury or death to an individual.
• Liability insurance policy with $20,000 in coverage for injury and/or property damage.
• $100,000 in coverage for injury or death to multiple individuals.

After completing all these steps, you can submit your license application along with the associated $300 fee.

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

Home Inspector Salary in Virginia

If you invest in training and exams for a profession, it’s crucial to consider your potential earnings.

In Virginia, the median salary for a home inspector is approximately $54,773 per year.

Below, I’ve provided further breakdowns with median salary figures for cities in the state with the highest income potential.

Regional Salary in Virginia

Home Inspector by State