Structural inspectors examine buildings and other structures to verify they meet engineering standards, building codes, and legal requirements. They assess the overall soundness of a structure or focus on specific systems like electrical wiring or plumbing. Using engineering knowledge and testing equipment, they identify defects, safety hazards, and code violations. They document their findings in detailed reports and may recommend repairs or corrections. Inspectors work on new construction, renovations, and existing buildings across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
Licensed home inspectors are regulated at the state level. Every state sets its own education, exam, and experience requirements.
Structural inspectors examine buildings and other structures to verify they meet engineering standards, building codes, and legal requirements. They assess the overall soundness of a structure or focus on specific systems like electrical wiring or plumbing. Using engineering knowledge and testing equipment, they identify defects, safety hazards, and code violations. They document their findings in detailed reports and may recommend repairs or corrections. Inspectors work on new construction, renovations, and existing buildings across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
Most states require a national or state-administered exam covering home inspector knowledge, ethics, and state law.
When you take your home inspector exam, you'll face two sections: a national component covering core inspection standards, and a state-specific section on local laws and regulations. Most states contract with testing companies like PSI, Pearson VUE, or Prometric to administer the exam. You'll typically answer 150 to 200 multiple-choice questions across both parts. Passing scores vary by state, but you generally need 70 to 80 percent correct. Check your state's requirements before you register, since exam structure and passing thresholds differ.
Continuing education is required between renewals in almost every state. Hours and topics vary by board.
Home inspectors must complete continuing education to renew their license. Your state board sets the hour requirement and mandates specific topics. Common requirements include ethics and state-specific laws. Check your state's regulations for exact CE hours needed and approved courses.
Strong candidates for the home inspector role combine the technical knowledge tested on the exam with judgment and communication skills you build through supervised experience.
You'll need both technical knowledge and practical judgment. The exam covers building systems, but real inspections demand something more: you must spot problems others miss, then explain what you found in terms homebuyers actually understand. You'll spend hours crawling through attics, testing electrical systems, and documenting everything. Patience matters. So does precision. You're working alone most days, but your reports shape major financial decisions for your clients. That responsibility stays with you.
Practicing as a home inspector without an active license is illegal in every state. Typical penalties include civil fines, forfeited income, and in some states criminal charges on repeat offenses.
Unlicensed home inspection work violates state law across the country. Violators face civil fines and must repay earnings from unlicensed work. States vary in their approach to repeat offenses. Some impose criminal penalties, including jail time, for individuals who continue practicing without proper licensing after initial enforcement action.
Employment change 2024 to 2034.
You'll follow a consistent path across most states. Start with accredited education, then pass a national or state exam. Next comes supervised experience under a licensed professional. You'll undergo a background check before licensure. After you're licensed, you must complete continuing education before each renewal. The exact requirements shift by state: education hours, degree level, and experience minimums all differ. Check your state's specific rules before applying.
National hourly wage by percentile.
Optional next steps once your Home Inspector license is active.
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