How to Become a Home Inspector in North Carolina

How do I become a Licensed Home Inspector in North Carolina?

Learning the ins and outs of becoming a licensed home inspector in North Carolina is a question we get all the time here at NCLHIA. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in. As we begin, you should note that there are 3 steps to obtaining your license and starting your new career or part-time hustle as a home inspector. We’ve compiled a list of resources for each step to help you get started.

Before beginning, you should check the requirements for a license at the NC Home Inspector Licensure Board.

120 Hours of Coursework

The first requirement when working toward becoming a Licensed Home Inspector is to complete the required 120 hours of coursework. There are many ways to meet this requirement, including online and in-person options. The coursework will help lay the foundation of knowledge that you’ll need when you go out in the field. It’s important to consider how you learn best when deciding which option to choose. If you are self-motivated, like learning at your own pace, and need schedule flexibility during the learning process, then taking the courses online might be the better option for you.

However, if you learn better when you have more accountability and the opportunity to ask questions right at the moment, and you want to simply knock out your training in a predetermined block of time, then in-person training may suit you. NCLHIA has partnered with Inspection Certification Associates (ICA) as our exclusive provider for pre-licensing education. Contact ICA to learn about their offerings.

80 Hours of Field Training

Now that you’ve completed your course work and the foundation has been laid, it’s time for the fun to begin.

In a Lab or In the Field?

Depending on who you choose to work with for your field training, it could be in a lab or on real-life inspections. The advantage of field training in a lab is that you’ll be able to see a lot more scenarios that you might encounter in the field, such as different HVAC systems. If you do your field training during real inspections, then you will only encounter what each inspection has to offer. So, you may not experience as many of the scenarios an inspector may see in the field. But, during the real inspections, you’ll have the benefit of seeing how your instructor works, his/her workflow and maybe even how they work with clients and agents. As with any business you need the fundamental knowledge in place, but what will ultimately determine your success is how you work with people. After all, people are hiring you to communicate to them the condition of the property. Polish those people skills.

NCLHIA has partnered with Inspection Certification Associates (ICA) to provide field training. ICA offers field training courses in various locations in the NC. Contact ICA to learn about their offerings.

Pass the Exam

Finally, put a name to the face that you’ve been interacting with via phone or email. Nothing beats face to face interaction. Learn about new offerings and get answers to your pressing questions.