A Guide to Becoming a Licensed Home Inspector
In Washington State, great training is key to becoming a successful home inspector. With outstanding customer service, modern equipment, and excellent training, you can position yourself as a trusted expert in the industry. By staying up-to-date with the latest industry standards, you can provide your clients with the highest level of service and achieve financial success as a certified home inspector.
What is the is the median pay for home inspectors in Washington State?As of 01/2022, indeed.com says the average salary for a home inspector is $72,116 per year in Washington State.
How Do I Become a Home Inspector in Washington State?
Be sure you download this guide from the State of Washington. This is the official roadmap to becoming a licensed home inspector.
1) Get educated & receive training.
Get certified by a Washington State licensed Home Inspector education program (like the School of Professional Home Inspection). Be sure any program you consider is listed in the Washington State Department of Licensing catalog. There are schools out there selling education in this state that do not qualify for licensure.
2) Complete your field training.
You are required to mentor with a state-licensed home inspector for 40 hours minimum and you must also complete 5 Home Inspection reports. Any licensed home inspector in Washington State can mentor licensee candidates.
We have more than 30 inspector trainers around the state to help you get your hours completed.
3) Submit your application to the Washington State Department of Licensing.
Once the pre-licensing requirements have been met, individuals can take the state-approved home inspector exam. The exam is designed to test a candidate’s knowledge of building systems and components, as well as the standards of practice and code of ethics for home inspectors. The exam is offered several times a year at designated testing centers throughout Washington.
The exam consists of two parts on National and a State portion. When taking both portions the questions on the two will be intermixed and will not appear as separate sections. The full examination has 200 multiple-choice items, the total time allotted for the examination is 4 hours.
4) Pass the Exam and get your license
Questions? Need help from DOL?
Email: dolinthomeinspectors@dol.wa.gov
Call: 360.664.6487
Your SOPHI certification is recognized by the State of Oregon for its state licensing requirements also.
Have more questions? Be sure to read our FAQ, or call us, we love to talk about home inspection careers.
Structural Pest License Study Materials for Washington StateResources
Washington State University Structural Pest Bulletins
- A Key to the Identification of Pacific Northwest Wood-Destroying Pests Based on Wood Damage
- Anobiid Beetles
- Carpenter Ants
- Identification and Habits of Key Ant Pests of Washington
- Moisture Ants
- Termites
WSU Study Materials for WSDA License Exams
- Structural Pest Inspectors
- Structural Pest Inspector Manual (EM013)
