Candidates looking to become home and building inspectors in Maryland will be glad to know they don’t have to possess a bachelor’s degree to start their careers. Some of the most prominent organizations in the area simply want candidates to focus on having the right training and experience on the job.
Below, we dive into all the relevant considerations that candidates must make on the journey to launch their careers and make the process as comfortable as possible. Those looking for the best training programs will also find a list of relevant options in the upcoming section below.
Finally, we round up the guide with an extensive overview of the average annual salary figures for home and building inspectors in Maryland. We also look at the various factors that influence these figures.
How to Become a Home and Building Inspector in Maryland
The following are the steps required to become a home and building inspector in Maryland.
Complete an Approved Program
The first step to becoming a home and building inspector in Maryland is to complete a training program approved by the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation. Such a program must include at least 72 hours of training.
The National Home Inspector Examination
As the name implies, the National Home Inspector Examination is a nationwide examination that all aspiring home and building inspectors must pass to start their careers.
The exam includes 200 multiple-choice questions, 175 of which contribute to a candidate’s score. The questions cover three home and building inspection aspects: property inspection and site review, findings and reporting analysis, and professional responsibilities.
The examination fee is $225, and those who fail the first time must pay another $225 for every retake.
Candidates have 4 hours to complete the exam.
Employment
After passing the National Home Inspectors Examination, aspiring home and building inspectors in Maryland may apply for positions in relevant establishments.
To secure employment, candidates must provide their examination score report showing successful completion of the NHIE.
It is also possible for them to start a small business under their business name. To do so, they must register a limited liability company or a sole proprietorship.
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Licensure & Certification Requirements
All Maryland home and building inspectors must be licensed to start their careers. The above steps are the general requirements needed to obtain a license.
To refresh, they include completing 72 hours of inspection education, paying an examination fee of $225, and passing the National Home Inspector Examination.
The actual license also incurs an application fee of $50 and a licensing fee of $325. Candidates must have a high school diploma or GED. Those who wish to start their own business must have general liability coverage for at least $150,000.
The state also has continuing education requirements for candidates to receive 30 hours of training every 2 years to renew their license.
Top Home and Building Inspector Schools in Maryland
Aspiring home and building inspectors in Maryland may get their careers started by applying for training in any of these institutions:
Community College of Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD Online + Campus
Community College of Baltimore County offers a top-class home inspection pre-licensure program for candidates in Maryland. It includes 15 weeks of instructions offered twice a year.
Tuition
$7,474 - $10,880Contact
(443) 840-2222
admissions@ccbcmd.edu
Carroll Community College
Westminster, MD Online + Campus
Carroll Community College offers a home and building inspector program teaching residential construction standards, inspection techniques, general home inspection processes, and defect recognition.
Tuition
$6,918 - $8,928Contact
(410) 386-8430
admissions@carrollcc.edu
Anne Arundel Community College
Baltimore, MD Online + Campus
Anne Arundel Community College also has a wonderful training program for aspiring home and building inspectors in Maryland.
Tuition
$9,230 - $13,760Contact
(410) 777-2677
admissions@aacc.edu
Explore home and building inspector schools in Maryland by city:
Salary & Career Outlook
In Maryland, a fresh home and building inspector can look forward to earning an annual average salary of $80,868. They will be able to achieve this if they find themselves among the 50th percentile of earners in the state.
Those among the bottom 10% will still go home with an annual salary of $45,750 yearly, while those who somehow manage to be among the top 10% will take home an annual average salary of $142,940.
Experience, specialty, and location within the state are the most predominant factors that influence how much a home and building inspector will earn in Maryland.
Those who are curious about the top-paying locations for home and building inspectors in Maryland may consider Bowie, with an annual average salary of $110,017; Greenbelt, with an annual average salary of $109,653; and Ellicott City, with an annual average salary of $91,462.
Home and building inspectors in Maryland earn an annual average salary of $50,205.