Home and building inspectors analyze properties and buildings for structural and systematic faults. The profession is a perfect fit for individuals in Virginia who are meticulous and passionate about understanding how individual components come together to make a standard system.
Below, we discuss every key step and consideration in launching a successful home and building inspector career in Virginia. We explore the educational requirements, licensure requirements, how to acquire professional credentials, and more.
Individuals looking for the best training destinations in the state will also find a few worthy alternatives to consider below.
How to Become a Home and Building Inspector in Virginia
The following are the steps required to become a home and building inspector in Virginia.
Step 1: Meet the Basic Prerequisites
As an aspiring home and building inspector in Virginia, the first condition you must meet is to be 18 years old. Possessing a high school diploma or GED is also helpful to make the next steps very straightforward.
Step 2: Complete an Approved 70-hour Training Course
All home and building inspectors must attend a training program approved by the state. These programs must include a total training duration of 70 hours.
They must have various educational materials that can be applied online and offline. The online aspect of the training, however, must be at most 50% of the entire course hours.
Candidates are expected to receive all the training they’ll need to be ready for the upcoming national inspector examination.
Step 3: Pass the National Home Inspectors Examination
The National Home Inspectors Examination is a nationwide exam available in all states. Candidates in Virginia must obtain a passing score from 200 questions, 25 of which are not scored.
The exam will test a candidate’s knowledge of general home inspection topics, including electric and HVAC systems, professional responsibilities, and reporting analysis.
The exam incurs a $225 fee and must be completed in 4 hours.
Step 4: Complete Real-World Inspections
To demonstrate their practical skills, aspiring home and building inspectors in Virginia must complete 25 real-world inspections. This will be carried out under the direct supervision of a licensed inspector.
Consider trades with similar paths:
Licensure & Certification Requirements
All home and building inspectors in Virginia must obtain a Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation license. The above steps should be enough to start the process.
From there, all that is left is to send an official application by completing the application form on the department website. Candidates are also expected to pay an application fee of $80 for their forms to be valid.
Additionally, home inspectors in Virginia are expected to possess general liability insurance of up to $250,000. All of these will entitle them to a valid professional license for 2 years.
For those seeking additional professional certification to enjoy career advancement opportunities, the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) offers a well-recognized and respected professional credential.
Top Home and Building Inspector Schools in Virginia
The following are some of Virginia’s top destinations to receive home inspection training.
KC Hart Home Inspector Training
KC Hart Home Inspector Training is a popular institution offering top-quality home inspector training for students anywhere in the state. Students can enroll for a full 70-hour training course or half of that.
American Home Inspectors Training
Candidates who enroll for the home inspection training at American Home Inspectors Training will enjoy comprehensive training at a flexible pace. Topics include electric, HVAC, and plumbing systems, among others.
As expected, the program is approved by the DPOR.
Notable Mentions
Other notable destinations to receive training as an aspiring home inspector in Virginia include the Inspection Certification Associates (ICA), Donofrio Academy, Colleges of Southern Maryland, and the Virginia Building and Code Officials Association based in Richmond.
Explore home and building inspector schools by city:
Salary & Career Outlook
The annual salary for a fresh home and building inspector in Virginia is usually around $73,992 – if they fall among the state’s average earners in the field. Should they fall among the bottom 10%, their annual average salary will be closer to $33,319.
Home and building inspectors in Virginia who fall among the highest-paid in the state take home an average salary of around $164,315 every year.
Ultimately, factors such as experience and location are among the key determinants of where a home and building inspector in Virginia will fall in the salary spectrum.
Taking location as the predominant factor, Norfolk (with an annual average salary of $124,658), Chantilly ($117,163), and Stafford ($113,342) are the highest-paying cities to be a home and building inspector in Virginia. Chesapeake follows these with an annual average salary of $92,057, and Virginia Beach has an annual average salary of $72,310.
Related Articles
Related Careers
Top Schools Near Me
