Individuals interested in becoming home and building inspectors in Pennsylvania must go through a few state-mandated steps to acquire a license and start practicing legally and professionally.
They may also go through some optional steps to consolidate their skills and stand out among fellow professionals in the field. Below, we discuss all of these steps and more.
To help candidates discover the best training destinations in the state, we have included a section including some of the top alternatives to consider. Lastly, we provide a concise but detailed look at the expected salary for a fresh home and building inspector in Pennsylvania and how this figure can be optimized.
How to Become a Home and Building Inspector in Pennsylvania
Aspiring home and building inspectors in Pennsylvania may follow the steps below to start their careers on the right path.
Step 1: Attend an Approved Training Program
Attending a state-approved training program is the first step to becoming a licensed home and building inspector in Pennsylvania. During that time, candidates must complete 120 hours of training before moving on to the next step.
Step 2: Complete Real-World Inspections
As with most states, aspiring home and building inspectors in Pennsylvania are expected to acquire actual real-world inspection experience before qualifying to practice professionally.
The specific requirement for the state of Pennsylvania is 100 home inspections under the supervision of a licensed home inspector.
Step 3: Pass the Required Examination
All home and building inspectors in Pennsylvania must pass a national National Home Inspectors Exam. This exam includes 200 multiple-choice questions, of which 175 are scored and 25 are not.
The questions test candidates’ home and building inspection skills in various areas, including professional practice, electrical systems, and HVAC systems.
Step 4: Join a Professional Association
Once they’re done with training, all aspiring home and building inspectors in Pennsylvania are expected to join a national nonprofit home inspector association and remain in good standing.
Some of the most common associations to join include the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) and the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Consider trades with similar paths:
Licensure & Certification Requirements
While in most states, joining a professional association is optional, all home and building inspectors must belong to a non-profit association in Pennsylvania. The only exceptions are those working under the supervision of a licensed home inspector who is a part of a national association.
Additionally, candidates must provide proof of liability insurance for every occurrence of errors and omissions, $100,000 for general liability insurance, and $500,000 aggregate.
It is also possible for specific cities to have additional requirements of their own. For instance, home and building inspectors in Philadelphia must be at least 18 years old and obtain a Philadelphia Business Income and Receipts Tax ID.
Top Home and Building Inspector Schools in Pennsylvania
The following are some of Pennsylvania’s most notable home and building inspector schools.
Community College of Philadelphia
At the Community College of Philadelphia, prospective home inspectors may participate in an online program that is highly flexible. The program deals with crucial topics to prepare for the national examination and includes a certificate upon completion.
The only prerequisites are a laptop and email capabilities.
American Society of Home Inspectors
The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) is a popular organization for professionals in the field. The association also runs an academy where candidates in Pennsylvania may enroll for top-class training. Candidates who attend this program have a straightforward path to becoming certified and fulfilling licensure requirements.
Notable Mentions
Other notable mentions offering top-quality training for candidates in Pennsylvania Include the online training program organized by the American Home Inspectors Training, the professional Home Inspection School, and the ATI Home Inspector Institute, among others.
Explore home and building inspector schools by city:
Salary & Career Outlook
As a fresh home and building inspector in Pennsylvania, you may look forward to a starting salary of around $57,827, the salary figure for an average home and building inspector in the state.
Some may start lower at around $38,692, the figure for those in the bottom 10%. Ultimately, though, a home and building inspector in Pennsylvania can earn as high as $86,423, the figure for the top 10% in the state.
Factors such as experience, location, and credentials typically play a role in influencing how much a home and building inspector will earn in Pennsylvania. Currently, the highest-paying cities for professionals in the state include Philadelphia and Harrisburg, with annual average salaries of $123,235 and $$51,398; West Chester and Doylestown, with annual average salaries of $51,204 and $49,858; and Pittsburgh, with an annual average salary of $47,363.
Related Articles
Related Careers
Top Schools Near Me
