License GuideSOC 49-9095

Manufactured Home Installer
License.

Mobile home installers position and secure manufactured homes on permanent or temporary foundations. They inspect sites, level ground, and connect utility systems including water, sewer, and electrical lines. The work involves anchoring homes to withstand weather, checking structural integrity, and ensuring compliance with local building codes. Installation typically takes several days per home. Installers use heavy equipment, hand tools, and specialized knowledge of construction standards. They troubleshoot problems during setup and coordinate with utility companies and inspectors.

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.

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Mobile home installers position and secure manufactured homes on permanent or temporary foundations. They inspect sites, level ground, and connect utility systems including water, sewer, and electrical lines. The work involves anchoring homes to withstand weather, checking structural integrity, and ensuring compliance with local building codes. Installation typically takes several days per home. Installers use heavy equipment, hand tools, and specialized knowledge of construction standards. They troubleshoot problems during setup and coordinate with utility companies and inspectors.

The Exam
Two-part proctored test

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

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You'll face two parts on your installer exam. The national section covers industry standards and installation practices that apply everywhere. Your state adds its own portion, focusing on local regulations and codes specific to your area. Most states contract with testing companies like PSI, Pearson VUE, or Prometric to administer the test. You'll need to pass both sections to get licensed. Check your state's requirements for the exact passing score, as this varies by location.

Renewal
Keeping it active

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

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Manufactured home installers must complete continuing education to renew their licenses. Your state board sets the specific hour requirement and topics. Common requirements include ethics and state law. Check with your state's licensing board for exact numbers and deadlines before your renewal date.

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.

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You need to think in systems. A manufactured home installation requires you to read blueprints, troubleshoot electrical problems, and adjust foundation work on the fly. But technical skill alone won't cut it. You'll spend half your day explaining what you're doing to homeowners, coordinating with inspectors, and talking through complications with your crew. The best installers make quick calls under pressure, own their mistakes, and ask clarifying questions before they cause problems downstream.

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.

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Practicing as a manufactured home installer without an active license violates state law across the country. Violators face civil fines and must forfeit any income earned from unlicensed work. Repeat offenses can result in criminal charges in some states, though these are typically short sentences. The specific penalties vary by state and the number of prior violations.

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.

You'll follow a five-step pathway across most states. First, complete accredited education in your field. Next, pass a national or state exam to prove your knowledge. Then gain supervised experience under a licensed professional, working the hours your state requires. You'll also need to pass a background check. Finally, take continuing education courses between license renewals to stay current. The exact hours, degrees, and experience lengths differ by state, so check your state's rules before you start.

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
Core
Manufactured Housing Professional
Building Performance Institute
Specialty
Envelope 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.

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