License GuideSOC 49-9095

Manufactured Home Installer
License.

Mobile home installers move and set up prefabricated structures on residential sites. They position units on foundations, connect utility lines for water, gas, and electricity, and secure the structure against weather damage. The work includes leveling the home, installing steps and skirting, and inspecting connections to meet safety codes. Installers coordinate with foundation crews, utility companies, and inspectors. Physical demands are high: climbing, lifting, and working outdoors in varying weather. Most positions require a high school diploma and on-the-job training.

At a Glance

Everything a Manufactured Home Installer needs to know.

The Work
What you actually do

Licensed manufactured home installers are regulated at the state level. Every state sets its own education, exam, and experience requirements.

Read more

Mobile home installers move and set up prefabricated structures on residential sites. They position units on foundations, connect utility lines for water, gas, and electricity, and secure the structure against weather damage. The work includes leveling the home, installing steps and skirting, and inspecting connections to meet safety codes. Installers coordinate with foundation crews, utility companies, and inspectors. Physical demands are high: climbing, lifting, and working outdoors in varying weather. Most positions require a high school diploma and on-the-job training.

The Exam
Two-part proctored test

Most states require a national or state-administered exam covering manufactured home installer knowledge, ethics, and state law.

Read more

You'll face an exam split into two sections: a national component covering installation standards that applies across states, plus a state-specific section testing your knowledge of local regulations. Most states contract with testing companies like PSI, Pearson VUE, or Prometric to administer the test. You'll schedule your exam through their platforms and take it at a testing center. The exact number of questions and time limit vary by state, but you typically need to pass both portions to earn your license. Check your state's licensing board for the specific passing score and any exam fees.

Renewal
Keeping it active

Continuing education is required between renewals in almost every state. Hours and topics vary by board.

Read more

Manufactured home installer licenses require continuing education to renew. Your state specifies how many hours you need and which topics to cover, usually ethics and state regulations. Check your state board's renewal deadline and course requirements before your license expires.

Is This For You
Who fits this career

Strong candidates for the manufactured home installer role combine the technical knowledge tested on the exam with judgment and communication skills you build through supervised experience.

Read more

You need patience for detail work and comfort making decisions under pressure. The job rewards people who can read blueprints, spot problems before they become expensive, and explain what's happening to homeowners who don't speak construction. You'll spend time troubleshooting systems that don't fit quite right. Some days mean coordinating with crews and inspectors. Others mean working alone on a foundation or electrical line. Success comes to installers who stay calm when something unexpected surfaces and can explain the solution clearly.

Unlicensed Risk
Practicing without a license

Practicing as a manufactured home installer 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.

Read more

Practicing as a manufactured home installer without an active license violates state law everywhere. Unlicensed installers face civil fines and must forfeit any income earned from the work. States vary on additional consequences. Some impose criminal penalties for repeat violations, though sentences are typically brief. The specific fines and enforcement vary by state and individual case.

Career Outlook
+4.7% projected

Employment change 2024 to 2034. Flagged as a bright-outlook occupation.

The Path

How to Get a Manufactured Home Installer License.

To get licensed across most states, you'll need four core things. First, complete accredited education in your field. Next, pass a national or state exam. Then gain supervised experience (the hours required differ by state). You'll also undergo a background check. After you're licensed, you must complete continuing education before each renewal. The specific requirements for hours, degrees, and experience shift from state to state, so check your state's rules early.

1
Meet the experience minimum
Most states require documented years of work hours under a licensed manufactured home installer or comparable contractor. Apprenticeship programs count toward this requirement.
2
Finish required classroom instruction
States typically require a set number of hours in a related trade school or state-approved apprenticeship classroom.
3
Pass the trade exam
The state exam covers manufactured home installer code, safety, and business law. Some states use third-party testing vendors like PSI or Prometric.
4
Submit fingerprints and background check
Most boards collect electronic fingerprints through IdentoGO, Fieldprint, or a similar vendor and run a state and federal background check.
5
Apply for the license
Submit the state application with transcripts, exam scores, experience verification, and fees. Processing runs a few days to several months depending on state and board.
6
Pay fees and activate
Once approved, you pay the initial license fee, post any required bond or insurance, and the state issues your license number.
7
Track renewals and continuing education
Most licenses renew every one to three years with a set amount of continuing education. Missing CE or renewal deadlines risks license inactivation.
Timeline

How long it takes.

Background check and exam scheduling
2 to 6 weeks
License issuance after passing
Few days to several weeks
State processing times vary widely.
Cost Breakdown

What it costs out of pocket.

Trade school or apprenticeship
Apprenticeship programs are paid; trade schools are not.
$500 to $15,000
Application and license fee
Paid to the state board at submission. Varies widely by state.
$50 to $500
Fingerprint and background check
Flat vendor fee set by the state.
$40 to $120
Exam fee
Paid to the testing vendor when you schedule.
$50 to $400
License bond
Annual surety premium. Bond amounts scale with project dollar limits.
$100 to $500
Compensation

What Manufactured Home Installers Earn.

National annual wage by percentile.

Bottom 10%
$30k
25th percentile
$35k
Median
$41k
75th percentile
$48k
Top 10%
$57k
Resources

Where to train, certify, and connect.

Optional next steps once your Manufactured Home Installer license is active.

Specialty
Energy Auditor
Building Performance Institute
Specialty
Envelope Professional
Building Performance Institute
Core
Manufactured Housing Professional
Building Performance Institute
State vs State

Compare any two states.

Pre-license hours and fees vary widely. Pick two states to see the gap.

Left
Right
Varies
Pre-license hours
Varies
Varies
Exam fee
Varies
Varies
License fee
Varies
Occupational Licensing Program
Issuing board
Board of Manufactured Housing
Frequently Asked

Questions people ask.

Ready to get licensed?

Tell us your state and how you plan to work. We build your license checklist, prepare every filing, and track renewals.

Paperwork prep · State fees handled · Renewal tracking