Home and building inspectors in Jacksonville, Florida, don’t just ensure that structures are well-designed and safely built; they also use specialized equipment to verify subtle properties of a building that a regular examiner will probably entirely miss.
To be able to work with this equipment and carry out their duties at a high level, it is usually imperative for a home and building inspector to pass through a training program.
And since there are many options, deciding can sometimes be challenging. However, you don’t have to worry because that’s where we come in.
Below you’ll find a comprehensive list of the best home and building inspector schools in Jacksonville and a few notes on why they are worthy of your time.
How to Become a Home and Building Inspector in Jacksonville
To become a home and building inspector in Jacksonville, interested candidates must follow the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) guidelines.
The guidelines state that aspiring home and building inspectors must complete a pre-licensing course with 120 hours of instruction before continuing to sit for any of the 4 approved examinations.
These examinations include the following:
- National Home Inspector Examination,
- Florida Home Inspection Examination,
- Florida Home Inspector Licensing Examination and the
- Certified Home and Property Inspector Examination.
Completing any of these qualifies candidates to move on to the next step: obtaining insurance and sending in their application forms. Licenses must also be renewed every year through 14 hours of continuing education.
Top Home and Building Inspector Schools in Jacksonville, Florida
Now that we’re familiar with the general steps involved in becoming a home/building inspector in Jacksonville, Florida, below are some of the approved pre-license training programs to consider:
1. InterNACHI
The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors is one of the organizations responsible for administering licensing examinations for aspiring home and building inspectors in Florida. The organization also has a training program and a certification program.
Applicants get to choose between three options: the free online course, the live class at House of Horrors in Weston, Florida, and the live class in a classroom offered in various locations around the state.
2. Inspection Certification Associates (ITA) Training Program
The ICA offers one of the most popular training programs for aspiring building inspectors in and around Jacksonville. The program is very well-reviewed and flexible enough that students can complete it at their own pace.
It consists of the 120-hour training instruction specified by the DBPR, but candidates have been known to finish the entire thing in a few weeks and even days.
3. College of Central Florida
The College of Central Florida is another viable destination for aspiring home inspectors to obtain pre-licensing training. This course includes 14 components of home inspection taught along the path of the 120 hours required duration.
Students become familiar with key aspects of the home inspection process through presentations and video footage of actual inspections by established professionals.
Applicants also get to choose between the online-only program that is self-paced and flexible and the hands-on field training option with two days of mock inspections supervised by industry experts.
The hands-on training costs $600 and can be bundled with an online package.
Consider exploring trades with similar paths:
4. Professional Home Inspection Institute
The Professional Home Inspection Institute offers an approved comprehensive training program for future home inspectors in Florida. The program is available for members and non-members of the institute.
The institute is also affiliated with the Florida Association of Building Inspectors (FABI), responsible for administering one of the approved licensing examinations.
5. American Home Inspectors Training
The American Home Inspectors Training by The CE Shop offers rigorous training for aspiring home inspectors in the state with hands-on practice in 4 local homes.
The program focuses on topics such as introduction to home inspection terminology, exterior and structure, plumbing and electrical systems, installation and ventilation, basement and crawl space, mold and allergens, home inspection business start-up, and commercial inspections, among others.
6. Gold Coast Schools
Lastly, the Gold Coast also offers a pre-licensing course for Florida home inspectors. The program seeks to prepare students through a handful of educational materials, workshops, and hands-on training sessions.
Students will leave with the insights and knowledge needed to pass the licensing examination and proceed with their careers. Those who wish to complete their training strictly online may do so by applying for the online-only option.
7. Home Inspection School Florida
Home Inspection School Florida offers a building inspection training course consisting of 12 individual topic videos and a final exam to complete in 60 minutes.
The program prides itself on “teaching things that students can’t learn in a trade school.”
8. ATI Training - Home Inspection Institute
ATI offers home inspection training to serving and ex-police officers, EMTs, firefighters, and military veterans. The program also provides financial aid to those who wish to apply for one.
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