Are you looking to become a home inspector in the state of Washington? Earning your home inspector license in the Evergreen State will require training, study, and planning to complete the necessary steps. Prospective home inspectors are also required to complete 5 official inspections under the supervision of a licensed home inspector. This article will walk you through the 5 steps to ensure you obtain your license and start a successful home inspection practice.
What You Should Know Before Becoming A Home Inspector In Washington
Before you become a Washington home inspector, you must meet the requirements listed below. You should also keep in mind that Washington requires that all state home inspectors complete and submit a state application. You will also have to renew your license every two years exactly on your birthday rather than on any day throughout the year. Unlike most other states, Washington has no minimum insurance requirements for home inspectors.
Washington Home Inspector License Requirements
To become a licensed home inspector in Washington state and be legally compensated for this service, a few requirements must be met. Although many of the traditional home inspector requirements do not exist in Washington, you must complete the following:
A State Application
To take the National Home Inspector Exam in Washington, you must first submit an official Home Inspector Examination Application. The application can be found online by searching “Washington home inspector application.”
120 Hours Of Classroom Instruction
The first step towards obtaining a home inspector license in Washington is completing 120 hours of classroom. This education is usually obtained through a course offered by various online and in-person programs. At the bottom of this article, in the FAQs section, we have provided a list of popular programs and schools that offer home inspector education in Washington.
Proof Of Mentorship
You must prove completing a mentorship with a licensed Washington home inspector. This mentorship must include 40 hours of field training and at least 5 inspections.
Pass The National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE)
As in many other states, you must pass the National Home Inspector Exam to become a home inspector in Washington. The exam can be registered on the NHIE’s official website and will cost $225.
How To Become A Washington Home Inspector: Your 5-step Guide To Receiving Your Washington Home Inspector License
Step 1: Complete 120 Hours Of Classroom Home Inspection Training
Your first step toward becoming a licensed Washington home inspector is completing 120 hours of classroom training. These hours are usually completed through a course, many of which include a healthy balance of exam preparation and daily reinforcement of key material to ensure you pass the final exam. During your official home inspection course, you will learn the skills necessary to practice home inspection in Washington, including:
- How to perform a home inspection
- How a home works
- How to detect and fix defects in a home
- How to maintain a home
- How to outline steps that keep a home dry and energy-efficient
Pro Tip:
Many of the programs that offer classroom training will also help you find a licensed home inspector with whom you can complete your 40 hours of required field training. This speeds up the process significantly, as you don’t have to find a mentor yourself. When looking for home inspector courses in Washington, find one that sets you up with a mentor after completing your classroom training.
Step 2: Complete 40 Hours of Field Training
Every Washington home inspector must complete 40 hours of field training. This field training must also include completing 5 full inspections under the supervision of a licensed home inspector. Many of the top programs, such as ATI Training, will help you contact a licensed home inspector to help you complete your training.
Pro Tip:
These 40 hours of field training must be completed under the supervision of a licensed Washington home inspector. To help you find a home inspector to supervise you, you can contact the Northwest Home And Building Inspector’s Association (NHBIA) here.
Step 3: Take And Pass the National Home Inspector Exam
Passing the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE) is the next step in your journey toward earning your home inspector license in Washington. Like many states, Washington requires that all home inspectors pass this exam before practicing home inspection. The exam will test your knowledge in three domains. You must demonstrate adequate expertise in these areas to pass the test.
- Property and Building Inspection / Site Review
- Analysis of Findings and Reporting
- Professional Responsibilities
Pro Tip
The exam can be registered on the NHIE’s official website and will cost $225. Once you pass the exam, you will qualify to become a member of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), which is a widely known organization that will help you form relationships in the industry and start getting referrals.
Step 4: Apply For A Home Inspection License
Once you have passed the NHIE, you can apply for a Washington home inspection license. To apply for your license, you must complete a background check and then submit the following items to the State of Washington government
- A completed Home Inspector License application.
- Copies of your state and national pass reports from the home inspector exam provider.
- A check or money order of $680 (payable to the Department of Licensing).
Pro Tip:
Unlike many other states, Washington does not require home inspectors to purchase general liability insurance before beginning their practice. While this insurance is not required, it may be prudent to purchase it anyway. Insurance can protect both you and your business in the case that a client files a lawsuit against you.
Step 5: Maintain Continuing Education Requirements
To stay in good standing with the Washington Department of State and continue practicing home inspection, you must try to continue your education every year. The state requires that all Washington home inspectors complete 18 hours of education every year.
Pro Tip:
As part of these 18 hours, the state of Washington requires that home inspectors must complete at least six hours of training in professional ethics and law every two years.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Washington Home Inspector?
The time it takes to become a Washington home inspector will vary depending on your commitment to your education and training. If you dedicate yourself completely to becoming a home inspector, you could finish 120 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of field training in 2-3 months.
How Much Does It Cost To Become A Washington Home Inspector?
The costs of becoming a Washington home inspector will vary depending on how you prepare for the National Home Inspection Exam (NHIE). Courses for the test can cost as little as $500, while other packages may cost as much as $3,000. You will also have to pay an initial application fee of $225 to take the exam and a $680 fee to apply for an official home inspection license.
What’s The Best Home Inspector Training In Washington?
While there isn’t one singular school that can be deemed the best home inspector training program in the state, some are more reputable than others. To give you a head start on your education, we’ve listed a few of the most popular and respected programs below:
International Association Of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI)
InterNACHI provides online testing, free training, and certification, in addition to business development and discounts on home inspector needs. To become a member of InterNACHI, Washington home inspectors must pay either $49 per month or $499 each year. To learn more about InterNACHI, check out their website.
Inspection Certification Associates (ICA)
In addition to online training courses and exam prep courses, ICA also provides ongoing career support for their Edcetera Home Inspection Members. For more information about their membership and training material, visit their website.
Professional Home Inspection Institute (PHII)
PHII offers multiple courses, marketing resources, and business support for new inspectors and inspectors who have established themselves over the years. Each course is estimated to take 1-2 weeks to complete and will always be accessible to members. Their online home inspector certification course costs $595.
Final Thoughts On Becoming A Washington Home Inspector
If you are looking to start your journey toward receiving your Washington Home Inspection license, the steps listed above can serve as your guide along the way. Be sure to research possible programs and mentors in the state, as receiving the best education possible can give you the head start you need to begin your career in home inspection.
In addition to completing training and passing the National Home Inspector Exam, you must apply for an official license. When applying for a home inspector license, it is important to remember the following:
To apply for your license, you must complete a background check and then submit the following items to the State of Washington government
- A completed Home Inspector License application.
- Copies of your state and national pass reports from the home inspector exam provider.
- A check or money order of $680 (payable to the Department of Licensing).
If you’re considering becoming a Washington home inspector and would like to partner with a company that can provide you with all the business-related tools you’ll need to complete inspections efficiently, reach customers through marketing efforts, and much more, you can contact our team at HomeGauge today.
FAQs
How hard is it to become a home inspector in Washington?
It is not too difficult to become a home inspector in Washington. Anyone who does wish to enter the profession will have to complete an official course, as well as 40 hours of field training and 5 actual inspections. Following the steps listed above will ensure you meet the necessary requirements to earn your home inspector license and begin your career.
Do you need a license to become a home inspector in Washington?
Yes, anyone who wishes to become a home inspector in Washington must first obtain an official license.
How much do home inspectors make in Washington?
As of the publication of this article, Washington home inspectors make an average yearly income of $136,000.
Disclaimer: The information in this article should be used as a guide and was accurate at the time of publishing. Check with your state authorities for the most up-to-date regulations.