How to Become a Licensed Home Inspector in Illinois
The online pre-licensing course is free to members. Five field inspection events and the state exam are also required. Learn more.
Option #2: At a School in Illinois (for a fee)
Contact the InterNACHI Chicago Chapter President Jeff Merritt, InterNACHI Instructor & IDFPR Proctor, www.homesteadinspectionsllc.com, 4440 Frontage Road, Hillside, IL. (773) 457-4542 or jefmerit@netzero.net.
List of Instructors and Field Inspection Supervisors:
For details about Illinois home inspector licensing, visit the Illinois website.
Continuing Education (online & free for members):
An Illinois-licensed home inspector is required to complete hours of Continuing Education, of which a minimum of 6 hours must be approved as mandatory courses every year, leading to a total of 12 hours of approved continuing education that will be completed for a 2-year renewal cycle. Home inspectors can fulfill their Continuing Education requirements by taking InterNACHI's free, online courses and proctored examinations, both of which are approved by Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation, online, and free to members. View approval of InterNACHI as a Home Inspector Education Provider. Provider #452.000145.
For a step-by-step procedure on how to attain free, online Continuing Education credits to renew your Illinois home inspector license.
How to Join InterNACHI
Insurance for Inspectors
Although Illinois doesn’t have requirements regarding insurance for home inspectors, many local real estate boards and home inspector business franchises require their affiliate members to meet certain coverage standards. InterNACHI members are eligible for discounts and enhanced coverage. Visit nachi.org/insurance for information on how to sign up.
Radon Tester Certification in Illinois (online & free for members):
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency requires a anyone performing radon inspections in Illinois to obtain a Radon Professional License by completing an IEMA approved Qualification Course. Visit the Illinois website for details.
InterNACHI's free, online "Illinois Advanced Radon Measurement Service Provider Course" is approved with Illinois for Initial Qualification and Continuing Education Credit. The course is also AARST-NRPP approved. Upon completing this course, licensees will earn 27 hours of CE credit towards their license.
Home Energy Inspector Certification (online & free for members):
Become a Certified Home Energy Inspector™. The online training and certification is free for members. No infrared, no blower door, and no additional training needed. Visit nachi.org/home-energy-inspector
Home Energy Score Assessor (online & free for members):
The Home Energy Score is similar to a vehicle's miles-per-gallon rating, and any qualified inspector in the U.S. can generate a Home Energy Score in less than an hour. The Home Energy Score provides:
- a score on a scale of 1 to 10;
- facts about the home and its energy use; and
- recommendations generated by the U.S. Department of Energy to improve the score and energy efficiency.
To become a Home Energy Score Assessor, you must:
- be an InterNACHI-Certified Home Energy Inspector (online & free for members);
- complete the 3D-house training (online & free for members);
- agree to participate in a Quality Assurance Plan with other local Home Energy Inspector(free for members); and
- email Jazmin to participate in the program.
Wood Destroying Organisms (online and free for members):
The Illinois State law requires anyone in Illinois applying general-use and restricted-use pesticides in the course of employment be licensed. Persons applying restricted-use pesticides on property they own or control must have a private applicator license. Persons applying general-use pesticides on their own property are exempt from licensing requirements. Please visit the Illinois Department of Agriculture Department's website for additional information.
The Roof Data Technician Program, developed by InterNACHI and Owens Corning and Lowe's, provides an additional revenue stream for InterNACHI members who are hired by Owens Corning as part of a roof warranty claim resolution process. (This program is operational in the United States only.) To participate in the program, visit nachi.org/roof.
Business & Marketing (online & free for members):
Learn the 17 steps to building and operating a successful home inspection business by taking our free, online Home Inspection Business Course.
After becoming certified, work on branding and marketing your business.
InterNACHI's Marketing Team will design a new logo for your inspection business or re-design your existing logo, and design and customize your business cards, flyers and brochures. It's all for free. Take a look at the free design work we've done for our members (free to members). Contact the Inspector Marketing Department today.
Homeowner Newsletter (online & free for members):
Keep in touch with all of your clients! The InterNACHI Homeowner Newsletter is:
- free to members;
- customized by you according to condition of each house inspected;
- has 5 years worth of monthly issues;
- includes your photo and logo in each issue.
Your photo or business logo and website link will appear in each newsletter issue, so your clients can keep your contact information handy. Learn more about the newsletter at https://www.nachi.org/home-maintanence-newsletter.htm
Everything You Need, All in One Place:
InterNACHI provides everything you need to be successful. Visit nachi.org/become-home-inspector
Membership Benefits (free for members):
InterNACHI provides over $75,000 worth of benefits to its members at no cost. Visit https://www.nachi.org/benefits.htm
Additional Information for Illinois Home Inspectors:
Illinois Home Inspector FAQ: http://www.idfpr.com/FAQ/BRE/toggleBREHomeInsp.asp
Illinois Home Inspector Forms: http://www.idfpr.com/dpr/re/Forms/HIFORMS.asp
Illinois Home Inspector Information: http://www.idfpr.com/dpr/re/homeinspect.asp
Becoming a licensed home inspector in Illinois, visit: http://www.idfpr.com/dpr/re/histatelaw.asp
Checklist for Successful Home Inspector:
