Certification & Licensing
Copyright © 2006–2026 InterNACHI®
InterNACHI® is a registered trademark of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors
InterNACHI® is seeking qualified Illinois-licensed home inspectors to serve as approved field trainers for our pre-licensing program. If you want to supervise students through their required field inspection events and final field exam, this page explains what you must qualify for, what you must agree to do, and what documentation you must submit.
If you are interested in becoming an approved field trainer, email [email protected] with the necessary documentation.
To be considered, you must:
Hold an Illinois home inspector license in good standing;
Have held that license for at least 5 years;
Be willing to follow InterNACHI’s Illinois field training procedures in full;
Be willing to conduct field inspection events on-site and in person.
Illinois rules require field inspection events to be conducted under the direct supervision of an Illinois-licensed home inspector with at least five years of experience, on-site and in person. A supervising inspector may oversee a maximum of five licensure candidates in each field inspection event.
Email [email protected] and include:
Your resume or professional bio, which should demonstrate your qualifications as a field trainer;
The completed and signed InterNACHI Illinois Field Trainer Agreement.pdf;
The general area of Illinois where you are available to provide field training, and
Whether you intend to charge students for field inspections.
You must hold your Illinois home inspector license in good standing for at least five years and remain in good standing while serving as an InterNACHI-approved field trainer.
If you charge students for field inspection events or related training, your fees must be clearly disclosed before any field event takes place.
You must agree to conduct field inspection events in a way that aligns with Illinois pre-license field course requirements, including the curriculum requirements in Section 1410.520 of the Illinois Administrative Code.
You must include a final field examination after the student completes the 5 required field inspection events.
You must inspect the property yourself first, identify the major defects, then compare the student’s draft or mock inspection report against your own findings.
A passing student must identify and properly write up at least 70% of the major defects.
You must send all required documentation to [email protected], including:
The completed 5 Field Inspection Events form, with field exam grade; and
The student’s draft or mock inspection report.
You must also keep copies of that documentation for your own records.
InterNACHI field trainer approval may be revoked at any time if you do not follow required procedures or if your license is no longer in good standing.
Download InterNACHI Illinois Field Trainer Agreement
Illinois requires pre-license education to include 5 field inspection events and a final field examination as part of the overall path to licensure. The pre-license field course must total at least 15 hours, including the field exam.
Each field inspection event must meet the following standards:
It must be conducted under the direct supervision of an Illinois-licensed home inspector with at least 5 years of experience;
It must be conducted on-site and in person;
A supervising inspector may oversee no more than 5 licensure candidates in a single field inspection event;
The event is for learning inspection methodology, techniques, communication, observation skills, and how to describe observed conditions;
A student may accompany a home inspector on an inspection that qualifies as a field inspection event, but the student may not perform or participate in a paid client inspection; and
If feasible, the 5 required field inspection events should include a variety of residential property types rather than the same type of home each time.
InterNACHI provides a free mock inspection tool for students, but other inspection software may also be used.
After the 5 field inspection events are complete, the student must complete a final field exam.
At a minimum, the exam must include:
A draft or mock written home inspection report completed by the student;
A property based on one of the 5 field inspection properties, or an additional property of a similar residential type;
A report that includes a description and inspection of each system identified in the Illinois standards and curriculum; and
A minimum passing score of 70%.
To satisfy InterNACHI’s process, the field trainer must:
Inspect the residential property before the student’s exam;
Identify the major defects the student should reasonably observe;
Remain on-site for the duration of the student’s inspection; and
Submit all documentation to [email protected] in a timely fashion.
Your supervision and evaluation must be consistent with the minimum curriculum topics required by Illinois for pre-license education.
Training must include identifying, describing, and inspecting:
Exposed foundations
Siding, exterior doors and windows, wall coverings, flashing, trim, eaves, soffits, and fascia
Gutter and drainage control systems
Porches, attached decks, balconies, stoops, steps, landings, and railings
Vegetation, grading, surface drainage, retaining walls, walkways, driveways, and patios leading to the dwelling entrance
Training must include identifying, describing, and inspecting:
Wall, ceiling, and floor defects
Step, stair, balcony, and railing defects
Countertop, cabinet, and island defects
Interior and exterior door defects
Window defects and operation
Garage doors, openers, structure, fire safety, and habitability issues
Water- or seepage-related sources
Training must include identifying, describing, and inspecting:
Roof types and styles
Roofing materials such as asphalt, cedar shake, cedar shingle, tar, rolled roofing, clay or concrete tile, slate, metal, and asbestos
Skylights, flashings, roof coverings, and roof drainage systems
Chimneys and other roof penetrations
Training must include identifying, describing, and inspecting:
Interior water supply and main distribution systems
Piping, drain, waste, and vent systems
Water heating systems and capacity
Fuel storage and distribution systems
Drainage control devices, including sump pumps and ejector pumps
Water source, water service entry, and sewer distribution
Training must include identifying, describing, and inspecting:
Main service equipment and disconnects
Service drop, service entrance conductors, cables, raceways, amperage, voltage, and overcurrent protection
Branch distribution, service panels, and subpanels
Overcurrent protection devices and wire identification
Lighting fixtures, switches, and receptacles
Safety controls, including GFCIs
Carbon monoxide alarms and smoke detectors required by State law
Training must include identifying, describing, and inspecting:
Installed heating and cooling equipment
Operating controls and ventilation systems
Fans, ducts, radiators, and distribution systems
Fuel sources and energy distribution systems
Flue pipes, chimneys, and spent gas removal systems
Related safety controls and devices
Central and window-mounted cooling systems
Insulation, vapor retarders, attic ventilation, foundation ventilation, and mechanical ventilation systems
Training must include identifying, describing, and inspecting:
Foundation, floors, walls, ceilings, crawlspaces, basements, attics, and wall framing
Foundation support systems and perimeter footings
Water- or seepage-related sources
Flood control devices
Roof structure and related systems
Under-roof and under-floor ventilation
Insulation and vapor protection systems
Infestation that significantly impacts the structure or integrity of the home
Training must include identifying, describing, and inspecting:
Fireplaces, solid-fuel-burning appliances, chimneys, and vents
Major household appliances included with the property
Training must include:
Knowledge of the Illinois Home Inspector License Act and the Illinois Administrative Rules
General knowledge of the Illinois Human Rights Act
General knowledge of contract law
Training must include:
Required disclosures to a client
Required report content
Competent report writing
Business practices and Standards of Practice knowledge
Email [email protected] with your resume or bio and the signed InterNACHI® Illinois Field Trainer Agreement.
If approved, you may be added to InterNACHI’s list of Illinois field trainers available to supervise pre-licensing field inspection events and final field exams.