Prospective home and building inspectors in South Carolina can start their careers with utmost confidence only when they understand what to expect right from the beginning. To help readers achieve this goal, we have curated the guide below to help candidates become familiar with the most important steps in launching their careers correctly.
Focusing first on the individual steps involved in the process, the article also dives into the licensure requirements, possible certification alternatives, and the top schools and courses in the state for approved training.
Lastly, interested individuals will also find the projected salary range to expect depending on a handful of deciding factors.
How to Become a Home and Building Inspector in South Carolina
The following is an overview of how to start a home and building inspector career in South Carolina.
Step 1: The Prerequisites
The prerequisite to becoming a home and building inspector in South Carolina is to be at least 18 years old. This is mandated by the state and enforced by training programs and potential employers.
Applicants must also have a social security card and a driver’s license.
Step 2: Complete an Approved Course
All aspiring home and building inspectors in South Carolina must complete a training program approved by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation. The courses must include 120 hours of training materials to meet the approval standards.
As we’ll see below, a few top-quality institutions offer such training nationwide.
Along with helping them prepare for state licensure and employment, these programs are also valuable for preparing candidates for their National Home Inspector Examination.
Step 3: Pass the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE)
After completing an approved training program, individuals interested in becoming home and building inspectors in South Carolina must also pass a professional examination.
In South Carolina, candidates have the luxury of choosing between a national examination known as the NHIE or a state examination. They must also pass a Business Management and Law exam.
The national exam contains 200 questions, all of which are multiple-choice.
Step 4: Background Checks
South Carolina has a mandatory background check requirement for prospective home and building inspectors. Those with a conviction history must make this known to the state.
It is also worth pointing out that merely having a criminal record does not necessarily mean candidates cannot become home and building inspectors in South Carolina.
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Licensure & Certification Requirements
Home and building inspectors in South Carolina must obtain a license to start their careers. After fulfilling all the requirements above, they must pay an $80 application fee to officially apply for their license through the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation.
The South Carolina Residential Builders Commission establishes the state’s licensing requirements for home and building inspectors.
Newly graduated home and building inspectors in the state looking for additional professional credentials may consider the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI).
Top Home and Building Inspector Schools in South Carolina
Future home and building inspectors in South Carolina may consider the following options for comprehensive education.
Fortune Academy
Charleston, SC Online + Campus
Fortune Academy offers a home and building inspection course covering 14 key aspects of home inspection. It also teaches business and marketing skills for the job.
It can be completed in 3 weeks.
Tuition
$300 - $900 per ProgramContact
(800) 922-2245
contact@fortuneacademy.com
American Home Inspection Institute
Online, SC Online Only
The American Home Inspection Institute’s home inspection course is self-paced and interactive. It can be completed in 3 weeks, with three separate package tiers.
Tuition
$699 - $1,399 per CourseContact
(855) 491-3169
ahit@theceshop.com
Real Estate School for Success
Charleston, SC Online + Campus
Real Estate School for Success offers an online training course for future home and building inspectors in Charleston. Candidates learn through comprehensive but self-paced instructional materials.
Email: info@realestateschoolforsuccess.com
Tuition
$89 - $450 per CourseContact
(803) 807-9152
Email in Bio
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Salary & Career Outlook
The starting salary for home and building inspectors in South Carolina will depend on a few factors, including their experience level, credentials, and the location where they secure employment.
Those who have all of these factors in their favor may begin their careers with an annual salary of around $67,103, the figure for the average home and building inspector in the state.
Those who have yet to optimize these factors may begin their careers with an annual average salary of $35,564, the figure of the bottom 10% in the state.
The highest-paid top 10% of home and building inspectors in South Carolina earn an annual average salary of $176,135.
Myrtle Beach, Greenville, and Bluffton are the cities in South Carolina with the highest pay for working as a home and building inspector. Professionals here earn annual average salaries of $85,529, $73,590, and $73,484, respectively.