Do You Need a High School Diploma or GED to Become a Home Inspector?

A career as a home inspector is an excellent choice for those interested in real estate and construction, as well as helping others make informed decisions about their homes. But how do you enter this profession? What are the educational requirements? Do you need a GED or high school diploma to become a home inspector? If you want answers to these questions, keep reading! This blog covers everything you need to know to become a home inspector.

What Does A Home Inspector Do?

Knowing the daily duties of a home inspector will help you get a better idea of what it takes to become one. A home inspector conducts residential and commercial property assessments to determine their value, structural flaws and faults, and potential safety risks. The inspection focuses on the examination of electrical systems, plumbing, HVAC components, and other issues related to the structure.

As a home inspector, you must have a strong mix of technical expertise, keen observation skills, and attention to detail. Based on the home inspector's report, a buyer can make a better decision about that property. Home inspectors often serve as trusted advisors, guiding clients in the home-buying process.

Do You Need A High School Diploma Or GED To Become A Home Inspector?

Let’s get straight to the point—yes, you do need a high school diploma or GED to become a home inspector. It’s considered a basic educational requirement for entering the field. While some states may not explicitly mandate it, many do. 

A high school diploma or GED helps ensure you have the basic skills needed to complete training programs, pass licensing exams, and understand the technical aspects of the job. It’s a key first step toward building a successful home inspection career.

Understanding The Significance Of a High School Diploma For a Home Inspection Career 

Earning a high school diploma or GED can benefit your home inspection career in several ways: 

• A diploma shows your grasp of fundamental subjects like math and physics,  which are essential for understanding the complexities of residential systems.

• Strong writing and verbal communication skills are a must. Home inspectors must produce detailed reports and clearly explain their findings to clients. 

• Completing formal education helps home inspectors establish credibility, making clients more confident in their expertise. 

What Else Do I Need To Become A Home Inspector?

All states require home inspectors to meet specific qualifications, but the requirements vary. Let's discuss them in detail.

Formal Home Inspector Training

Formal training is essential to becoming a home inspector. The training courses provide you with the core knowledge you will need. They cover topics like building codes, property maintenance standards, safety regulations, and more.

Accredited institutions, community colleges, and online learning programs offer training for home inspection-related certifications. Prospective home inspectors need to know about education requirements in their respective states. Your high school diploma or GED plus training will help you on your way to becoming a home inspector.

Certification And Licensing

Many states enforce home inspector licensing requirements to uphold high levels of professionalism. You must pass a national or state examination focusing on home systems and inspection methods. Prior to working, you must check what specific certifications and examinations your state requires for professional practice.

Accreditation by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) and the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) provides additional advantages for success in the home inspection market.

Experience Matters

Education is not the only most crucial element in becoming a home inspector; experience is also vital. Many home inspection programs demand that new inspectors carry out a specific number of inspections, ranging between 25 and 100, before achieving full certification. This mandatory real-world experience lets new inspectors learn practical skills essential for their future work.

Soft Skills Focus

Your success as a home inspector does not depend entirely on strong technical expertise and experience. Soft skills such as good communication, adaptability, problem-solving, empathy, and a friendly demeanor are important attributes that will help you thrive in your career. You must make complex matters easily understandable while giving clients dependable recommendations. Doing so will enhance your reputation as a home inspector and win you more customers. 

Advantages Of Becoming A Home Inspector

If you're still sitting on the fence about whether to become a home inspector, here are some reasons why this career can be an excellent choice:

Job Stability And Growth

The ongoing swift activity within the US real estate market makes inspections an integral part of the buying and selling process. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects little to no changes in the construction and building inspections sector from 2023 to 2033, promising a stable career.

Good Earning Potential

Home inspectors earn reasonably well and enjoy many other perks. The annual income for home inspectors in the United States ranges between USD 48,000-$78,000, depending on your location and experience. Experienced professionals and those running their businesses can earn well beyond this range. 

Flexibility

The ability to run independent inspections or manage home inspection businesses gives home inspectors the flexibility to choose their daily work schedule. This flexible working arrangement suits anyone wanting to control their daily operations.

Conclusion: Become A Home Inspector And Enjoy Its Benefits

As you’ve reached the end of this blog, you now know the answer to the question, “What do I need to become a home inspector?” The starting point for becoming a home inspector is either a high school diploma or GED completion. From there, becoming a successful home inspector involves formal training, certification, and experience. As an inspector, you may find the work deeply rewarding because it provides flexibility, stability, and a steady source of decent income while assisting people through critical life decisions.

Homesight, Inc. is here to provide you with all the necessary resources and training programs to lead you toward certification as a home inspector. Our Homesight Home Inspection Academy offers hands-on field training, mentorship, education, and other valuable services to jumpstart your home inspection career. You can enroll in our 40-hour class, which qualifies you for Wisconsin's pre-licensing certification. These 40 hours of learning are mandatory in Wisconsin before a person can take the state exam.

We provide complete guidance through all stages to help you achieve professional home inspector status. Contact us for more information.