(**) Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning RealEstateCareerHQ.com will get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through the links, but at no additional cost to you.
The role of a home inspector is to conduct a thorough evaluation of a home before its sale. This inspection allows potential buyers to identify any major problems with the property that could potentially cause costly repairs down the line.
In addition, home inspectors often provide helpful advice on repairs or maintenance that could improve the overall value of the home. Ultimately, a home inspection can give buyers peace of mind knowing that they are making a sound investment.
Personally, I always hire a home inspector before closing any of my real estate transactions. It helps me to understand the property better and make sure that there are no hidden surprises.
To become a home inspector in Arizona, the candidate must obtain a fingerprint clearance card, complete 84-hour of home inspector education, pass the National Home Inspector exam, complete 30 parallel inspections, submit a home inspector license application and fee to the Arizona State Board of Technical Registration.
Arizona State Board of Technical Registration is the State agency that issues licenses to qualified home inspectors, sets standards for the profession, and oversees and regulates the home inspection industry.
Being a home inspector could be a good career because it offers many job satisfactions. Primarily, home inspectors get to help people. When you’re looking for a career that is both personally and financially rewarding, becoming a home inspector is a great choice.
So if you’re thinking of becoming a home inspector in Arizona, this is the perfect career guide for you.
To save you time, I read through the home inspector licensing rules on the Arizona State Board of Technical Registration website and did extensive research on this career.
In this article, you’ll learn the steps to becoming a certified home inspector in Arizona, income updates, and FAQs on this profession. I’m confident this will give you a better idea of whether being a home inspector is right for you.
Before we start, just a brief disclaimer that the information in this post is for general information only and is not intended to provide any advice. Although I tried my best to obtain the info as accurately as possible, they are subject to change without any notice and are not guaranteed to be error-free. You should always follow your State Laws and home inspection best practices.
Table of Contents
- 6 Steps to Become a Certified Home Inspector in Arizona
- Career Advice from a Licensed Home Inspector
- FAQ on the Home Inspector Profession in Arizona
- (Video) Arizona Home Inspector License Requirement
- Other Helpful Resources:
The first step to begin in this career is to equip yourself with the necessary home inspection knowledge and obtain the Home Inspection Certification. ICA has years of experience in providing high-quality home inspection training. Here’s the link to their classes. (**)
6 Steps to Become a Certified Home Inspector in Arizona
Step 1: Meet the eligibility requirement
- Have a valid government issued photo ID
- Can obtain a fingerprint clearance card
- Complete the “Arizona Statement of Citizenship” form
Step 2: Complete the home inspection education
In Arizona, home inspector license applicants are required to complete 84-hour of home inspection courses from an approved education provider. It should guide you through the entire inspection process and equip you with adequate skills and knowledge in performing home inspections.
Typically speaking, the course package will cover the following key components of a home inspection:
- Structural
- Exterior
- Roofing
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Heating
- Cooling
- Interiors
- Insulation
- Ventilation
- Fireplaces & Wood-burning appliances
- Pools & Spas
- Irrigation Systems and Environmental Issues
- Standards of Practice & Code of Ethics
- Business Practices
- Risk Management Tips
Step 3: Pass the Home Inspector Exam
The State Board needs to ensure you have adequate home inspection knowledge, so the next step is to pass the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE).
The National Home Inspector Exam, it is a 4-hour exam consisting of 200 multiple choice questions (25 are pretest questions and will not be scored)
It covers 3 major domains, including:
- Property and Building Inspection/Site Review (63%)
- Analysis of Findings and Reporting (25%)
- Professional Responsibilities (12%)
The National Home Inspector Examination is “scale scored” from 200 to 800, with 500 as the passing score.
The exam is maintained by the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors (EBPHI) and administered by PSI. There’s an exam fee of $225.
On a side note, if you are a veteran, there could be reimbursement for the National Home Inspector Exam fee through the GI Bill. You can find more details on the form VBA-22-0803-ARE.
Step 4: Complete the required work experience
The next step is to complete 30 parallel inspections with a licensed home inspector. It allows you to gain actual field experience beyond classroom learning.
(On a side note, I just did an interview with Ford Shadwell, a licensed home inspector. He also suggested going on ride-along is a great idea, as this can help you determine whether this is the right career path for you.)
You need to record all the inspections on the “Parallel Home Inspection Log” (Form HI-PIL1), and the accompanied parallel home inspector must provide their certificate number and sign for each inspection. Don’t forget that you and the supervising inspector must complete the “Parallel Inspector Affidavit.” It also needs to be notarized by a Notary Public.
All these forms can be found in the application package, which I will go over in the next step.
You may find an AZ Certified Home Inspector in the InterNACHI License Database or the NHIE Database. Alternatively, you may try searching through LinkedIn. This is how I build my connection with many real estate professionals!
Furthermore, I’ve seen some home inspector education providers offering live training, which may be used to fulfill part of the inspection requirements.
Step 5: Register with the Arizona State Board of Technical Registration
To obtain the home inspection license, you must complete and submit the Application for Home Inspector Certification to the AZ State Board. Most of the questions on the application are pretty straightforward, where you will provide basic info such as your full name, date of birth, phone number, and mailing address.
Also, to ensure that the applicant is trustworthy, there are disciplinary questions. If you answer “Yes” to any of these questions, you may need to provide further supporting documents.
The completed application needs to be notarized by a notary. The application fee of $175 and can be paid by a check/money order made payable to Arizona Board of Technical Registration..
In addition to the application and fee, you also need to provide the following:
- A copy of the DPS issued fingerprint clearance card (front and back)
- A copy of National Home Inspector Examination result (Keep in mind that you must submit the application within two years of exam passing)
- Completion proof of 84-hours of home inspection education
- Completed, signed and dated “Arizona Statement of Citizenship” form
- A copy of a government issued photo ID
- 30 parallel inspections log
Depending on your situation, there could be additional requirements. And you can find the full list of requirements on pages 1 and 2 of the application package.
Once you have all the necessary document, you may submit them to:
- AZBTR office at: 1110 W. Washington Street, Suite 240, Phoenix, AZ 85007.
If you have any questions about the home inspection license registration, you may contact the AZBTR at:
- 1110 W. Washington Street, Suite 240, Phoenix, Arizona 85007
- Phone: (602) 364-4930
- FAX: (602) 364-4931
Step 6: Obtain E&O insurance
As a home inspector, you are responsible for providing accurate and objective information about the condition of a home. Your clients rely on you to help them make informed decisions about buying or selling a home, and if something goes wrong, they may hold you liable.
E&O insurance can help protect you from financial damages that may result from errors or omissions in your work as a home inspector. Depending on the terms and conditions of your coverage, typically speaking, they help cover the cost of your legal defense, as well as any damages that may be awarded, but to a certain maximum.
According to A.R.S. § 32-122.01(B), within 60 days you get the home inspector license, but before any fee-based home inspection is performed, you need to obtain the following:
- Errors and omissions insurance for negligent acts committed in the course of a home inspection in an amount of $200,000 in the aggregate and $100,000 per occurrence.
- A bond that is retroactive to the certification date in the amount of $25,000 or proof that minimum net assets have a value of at least $25,000.
Step 7: Renew the license
All licensed home inspectors in Arizona must renew their licenses annually as it expires on Dec 31st. But to avoid interruption of your home inspection practice, it’s better to put the renewal due date in your calendar. (Just set it on your phone or laptop.)
Also, at the time I’m writing this guide, there isn’t any continuing education requirement to renew the license. But of course, it doesn’t mean you should stop upgrading your home inspection skills and knowledge.
Career Advice from a Licensed Home Inspector
“Earning potential will vary based on your market and your effort. It really is unlimited. There is plenty of opportunity in this industry….
Do your research, and go on a ride alongs with an inspector to make sure it is going to be the career for you. The overhead is pretty low in this business, but there is somewhat expensive equipment you will want to get that can add up. Plan for growth, and use your resources.“
Ford Shadwell, Home Inspector from National Property Inspections
If you want to know what a day in the life of a home inspector is, the career outlook, and the challenges faced on the job, here’s an exclusive interview I had with Ford Shadwell.
In there, he shared with us his journey and insight about the home inspecting profession. So be sure to check it out.
FAQ on the Home Inspector Profession in Arizona
How long does it take to become a home inspector in Arizona?
It takes about 7 weeks to become a home inspector in Arizona. This includes the approximate time it takes to complete the 84-hour education, 30 parallel inspections and the processing time for the Arizona State Board of Technical Registration to review your application.
The State Board indicated that if you do not receive a confirmation from them after 60 days you submit the application, you may follow up with the Licensing Specialist by email.
However, the actual duration will largely depend on the time you take to complete the education requirement, complete the 30 inspections and pass the National Home Inspector Exam.
One way to speed up is by taking online courses from an approved education provider. This way, you may study at your own pace whenever and wherever.
To give you an example, if you study full-time (i.e., 8 hours a day), completing the course program should take about 2 to 3 weeks. Then the rest will be the time it takes to pass the exam, complete the 30 parallel inspections and to go through the certified registration with the AZ State Board.
How much does it take to become a home inspector in Arizona?
It takes $425 to become a home inspector in Arizona, including the $175 application fee and $250 exam fee.
However, that hasn’t include the home inspection education fee. I’ve seen an approved education provider with a course package of $595.
And if you want greater confidence in passing the exam on the first trial, you may invest in exam prep. Usually, that would be $100 more.
Of course, these are just the entrance fee for obtaining the license. If you want to run a home inspection business, you need to account for other business expenses such as car, gas, phone, offices, websites, marketing, home inspection equipment and software, legal and accounting fees, surety bond and insurance.
What’s next after you become an Arizona Certified Home Inspector?
You may work for a company that is licensed by the Arizona State Board of Technical Registration.
Alternatively, you may start your own business. Depending on your goal, you may consult an accountant the business structure suitable for you (i.e., sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation.)
There are many benefits of running your own home inspecting business. You are in control of your own destiny, you can set your own hours, and you get to be your own boss. You also have the potential to make more money if your business is successful.
On the other hand, it could take time to build a sustainable client base. At the initial stage of the business, you could be spending a significant amount of time prospecting for new business and building relationships with clients and referral partners.
Once again, you also need to account for business expenses as discussed above.
How much do home inspectors make in Arizona?
According to ZipRecruiter (Sept 20, 2022), home inspectors in Arizona make an average yearly income of $59,000. The annual income range typically ranges between $43,788 and $66,404. Top earning Arizona home inspectors make over $76,990.
Arizona home inspector income depends on several factors, including experience, geographical location, size of the property, and the type of inspection performed.
Home inspectors in Arizona who have been in the business for several years can expect to earn more than those just starting out. Inspectors who work in areas with a high cost of living can also expect to make more than those who work in other parts of the state.
>> Be sure to check out our “Arizona Home Inspector Income Guide” <<
Is there a demand for home inspectors in Arizona?
Arizona has a population of over 7.174 million. According to Redfin, in Aug 2022, in just one month alone, there were 8,561 homes for sale in Arizona. And a home inspection report plays an important role in the home buying process.
As long as people want to find out more about the home they purchase, there will be demand for home inspectors in Arizona.
Personally, I always hire a home inspector before closing any of my real estate transactions. It helps me to understand the property better and make sure that there are no hidden surprises.
(Video) Arizona Home Inspector License Requirement
Other Helpful Resources:
- How Much do Home Inspector Make in Arizona? (Complete Income Guide)
- Career Talk with Ford Shadwell (What is it like to be a home inspector?)
- How to Pass the Home Inspector Exam? (coming soon)
- American Society of Home Inspectors – Arizona Chapter
If you are reading up to this point, I bet you must be interested in the home inspector profession. Your first step is to complete the pre-licensing courses. You should select one that has an excellent reputation and long-term track record of satisfying students. ICA is exactly that! You may click here to check it out yourself. (**)
(**) Affiliate Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you. Our company, JCHQ Publishing will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking on the link. Please understand that we include them based on our experience or the research on these companies or products, and we recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something through the links. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you achieve your goals.
Disclaimer: The information in this post is for general information only, and not intend to provide any advice. They are subjected to change without any notice, and not guaranteed to be error-free. Some of the posts on this site may contain views and opinions from individual not related to JCHQ Publishing. They do not necessarily reflect our view or position.
Reference:
- Arizona State Board of Technical Registration (source)
- Home Inspector Application Packet (source)
- National Home Inspector Examination Candidate Information Bulletin (source)
- ZipRecruiter – Home Inspector Arizona (source)
- RedFin – Arizona Housing Market (source)
