By Carl Pucci
President, Tiger Home Inspection, Inc.
Instructor, Bunker Hill Community College

Until a few years ago, anyone could be a home inspector, with no formal licensing or training. Literally anyone could put up a sign and start a home inspection business, no matter their skill level. Recent state-mandated specialized licensing requirements have altered the way that the home inspection profession operates, for the better. Strict licensing requirements have upgraded the standards by which the profession functions. A side effect of this is that the time necessary to become licensed has created a shortage of home inspectors.

Home inspection is a great career opportunity, particularly for those with experience in light construction. With the increased price of real estate, and the accompanying low mortgage rates, more and more homebuyers are opting for inspections. That said, people wonder what is actually involved in becoming a home inspector, given the new licensing requirements.

In Massachusetts, the home inspection industry is now governed by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Home Inspectors (MBRHI). Currently, they license about 600 inspectors in the Commonwealth. Similar to other governed professions, the board monitors the examinations, requires continuing education for inspectors up for renewal, and publishes a code of ethics for inspectors. All inspectors now become licensed through a board-approved exam administered by the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors (EBPHI).

EBPHI suggests beginning exam preparation through a list of recommended training materials, available for viewing on their website. There are books, articles and other references, none of which contain exam “text”. Training is also available through instructional courses, offered privately and publicly. For instance, Bunker Hill Community College offers a course every semester. “Introduction to Home Inspection” is offered to would-be home inspectors. The 16-week course is offered for 3 hours each week, and offers real-world experience and training to individuals who might otherwise be left only to book study for preparation.

After the preferred form of study has been completed, the student must then apply to take the National Home Inspector Examination. The 200-question, multiple-choice exam is a competence assessment tool of skill, knowledge, and experience. The $195.00 exam is currently recognized and required for licensing in 16 states in the nation. Content is focused on four areas: Inspection Methods, Building Systems, Reporting, and Professional Practice. Students have 4 hours to complete the questions, at more than 180 testing sites nationwide. A sample test is also available for $50.00, and covers identical content areas in the same proportion as the exam itself (see references for further details). The test can be applied for and taken at any time, in several locations throughout Massachusetts. Reservations can be made through the test administrator, Promissor, at (877) 543-5222.

Several organizations are also associated with the National Examination. Passing the exam is a requirement for membership with the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). It is also accepted for voluntary certification by the National Association for Home Inspectors (NAHI); and is reimbursed by the Veterans’ Administration for military personnel re-entering the workforce.

Under Massachusetts requirements (they vary by state), inspectors must: successfully pass the National Home Inspector Exam; complete 25 home inspections under the direct supervision of a licensed Massachusetts home inspector; obtain at least $250,000 of errors and omissions insurance; and apply for an associate home inspector’s license. After those requirements are made, the associate inspector must also complete 100 home inspections, under the supervision of a licensed home inspector. The individual will then maintain their associate license for one year. They are then allowed to apply for the final step, their home inspector’s license.

Licensing costs $265.00 per licensing period, and the required errors and omissions insurance is estimated to cost between $3,500 and $5,000 per year. The full license is valid for two years. For renewal, the state insists on 24 units of continuing education over the time period of the license. Classes and programs are available through the MBRHI, as well as through privately organized sources. Our company, Tiger Home Inspection, is one private source that offers continuing education credit courses.

Home Inspection will continually be the source of excellent career opportunities for those interested in job security. The need is great because real estate transactions have a history of eluding the effects of wavering economics. Most homebuyers count on a home inspection to make a sound purchase, making home inspection a sound career choice for the right person.

Tiger Home Inspection’s hiring policy is only to interview those individuals who have successfully passed the Massachusetts required National Home Inspector Examination. In addition, it is Tiger’s preference that candidates have completed a formal home inspection training program. Only those individuals looking to obtain a career with Tiger Home Inspection will be considered for hiring. If you are interested in applying for a career with Tiger Home Inspection, please forward your resume and a copy of your exam results to: Tiger Home Inspection, 969 Washington Street, Braintree, MA 02184; or by fax at (781) 356-4487.

REFERENCES:

For Massachusetts Laws, Resources, and Apprentice Lists:
The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Home Inspectors (MBRHI)
MA Division of Professional Licensure
239 Causeway Street, Boston, MA 02114
(617) 727-4459
www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/hi/index.htm

For information on the National Home Inspector Examination:
The Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors (EBPHI)
www.homeinspectionexam.org