Hi everyone, my name is Kevin and I’m new to the site. I am about as green as you can get when it comes to home inspection knowledge. So, I would like to apologize ahead of time for asking any stupid questions. I am fairly knowledgeable when it comes to construction and real estate. I worked construction for over a decade and flipped homes during that time. I recently upgraded my membership and am now wanting to start my training. I live in Oregon and I want to get certified in Washington as well as Oregon. I’ve been looking over this site and there is a lot to go through. If anybody could point me in the right direction, like where I should start first, that would be great. I have looked at both of the websites for Oregon and Washington and they both require the national exam.
After looking over the packet for Oregon I am kind of confused about the requirements; I will post it below. On page number four it has a bunch of ways you can earn your points. I understand the point system, but I don’t understand if these points can be earned here on InterNachi or which ones are needed? HIC Application packet.pdf (467.6 KB)
If so, where is the best place to start? Also, is it just best to work on your CPI certification to get ready for the national exam?
As far as Washington goes, it’s pretty cut-and-dry. I put what they require below. My only question is, can I get all one hundred and twenty hours of course work done on InterNachi. If so, is there a specific order I should do things, or is there a better way to do things that would help me in the long run? Thanks in advance for everybody’s time and if anybody has any tips for a new guy, I am all ears and appreciate it.
Thanks, Kevin C
Home Inspector Licensing
To become a licensed home inspector, you must submit the following to the Washington State Department of Licensing:
an application;
proof of completion of a minimum of 120 hours of board-approved classroom instruction;
proof of up to 40 hours of completed field training supervised by a state-licensed home inspector;
evidence of successful completion of the written exam through the state; and
Welcome! I can’t offer much advice from experience, I’m nearly as green as you. I just got Licensed and completed the CPI in January. Our background is very similar. My wife is an agent and we have flipped houses for years. I really thought that would give me a leg up, and it did, just not as much as I expected. As I began moving through the classes it became clear just how much I had to learn. As far as the classes go, I literally went in order just the way they appear in the dashboard. SOP, COE, ect… I was able to pass the Online Inspector Exam the first time through. I thought for sure I failed it. Knowing I could take it as many times as I needed without having to pay each time put me at ease. The sheer number of classes felt daunting. I had all of the first year requirements done within a few months. The forums themselves are a bit strange, especially at first. There are tons of people willing to share their knowledge freely and are generous with their time. There is a further subset of folks who come off as gruff or condescending, but you will come to find they are really just pushing you to advance the profession. They know their shit and expect us to as well. Then, as with any group, there are the lunatics. They are not hard to spot, but take it from me, don’t engage. Take what is useful to you and leave the rest. Good luck!!
The Washington State Licensing you posted tells you straight up: 2. proof of completion of a minimum of 120 hours of board-approved CLASSROOM instruction;
Check out your local community college, lots of them have a state approved classroom training.
I am green also, I took classes through I.C.A, I past with flying colors, I signed up for the national test, failed, started going through interNACHI, passed the national, then passed my state test, so I guess what I’m saying, there is a lot information here take advantage, it helped me