How to Become a Certified Home Inspector in Washington

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  
the required fee.

For details on licensing, visit the State of Washington website.

Washington Partner Schools:

For a list of partner schools in Washington please click here.

Insurance for Inspectors

Although Washington 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.

Hands-On Training at House of Horrors®

Experience world-class inspection training and InterNACHI® member events at our House of Horrors® locations in Colorado and Florida. The InterNACHI® House of Horrors® is an entire house with 1,000 defects built under our roof. Register for a free event, take training, test-drive inspection tools, attend an inspector chapter meeting, and inspect the House of Horrors®.

Experience the House of Horrors®

Continuing Education (online & free for members)

The Washington Department of Licensing has approved the following online courses for home inspector Continuing Education (online & free for members).

(How to Renew Your WA Inspector License)

Click Here For Washington Approved Courses

How to Join InterNACHI

Join InterNACHI as a member at $49 per month (cancel any time) or $499 per year. There are no prerequisites to become a member.
Why join? Members have unlimited access to all of InterNACHI's free, online training and Continuing Education, our recommended list of home inspector courses, our free certification programs, the members-only forum, amazing membership benefits, the Online Inspector Exam, our free Inspector Training App.

Radon Tester Certification (online & free for members):

Although there are no state regulations for radon testing in Washington, the Washington State Department of Health recommends hiring a professional radon tester (as of October 2014). Visit the Washington website for details.

NRPP:

InterNACHI's free, online "Advanced Radon Measurement Service Provide Course" is AARST-NRPP approved for both initial certification and Continuing Education. To complete all components of the NRPP Radon Certification, please visit their site for more information.

NRSB:

This course is also NRSB approved for Continuing Education credit. View details about InterNACHI's "Advanced Radon Measurement Service Provider Course.

Free Real Estate Cards (free for members):

Licensed real estate agents can attain free Continuing Education credits by following the directions on the real estate cards. Members can hand out these cards to real estate agents, which explain how to log into the free courses.

When an agent logs into a course and enters the member's ID number, the member is automatically emailed. The first slide of the course is the member's contact information.

Tell them to visit nachi.org/wa-agent and register for the free online Continuing Education course. The course promotes the value of hiring an InterNACHI Home Energy Inspector. When a real estate professional logs into the course and enters the InterNACHI member's ID number, the member will be automatically notified by email.

Washington Real Estate Commission approves InterNACHI as a course provider for licensed real estate agents.

Wood-Destroying Organism Inspection Education:

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has approved InterNACHI's online "Wood-Destroying Organism Inspection" course for 15 credits. For approval details, visit https://www.nachi.org/wsda-approved-wdo-course.htm

Commercial Property Inspections

Become a InterNACHI® Certified Commercial Property Inspector. The online training and certification is free for members.

Visit Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association (CCPIA) for additional commercial inspection training and resources.

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:

1. be an InterNACHI-Certified Home Energy Inspector (online & free for members);
2. complete the 3D-house training (online & free for members);
3. agree to participate in a Quality Assurance Plan with other local Home Energy Inspector (free for members); and
4. email Jazmin to participate in the program.

Roof Data Technician (free for members to participate):

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):

Click here for BizVelop.com

Take InterNACHI's free, online "Home Inspection Business Course."

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

Order handout cards to sign homeowners up for your Homeowner Newsletter (a customizable, monthly newsletter system that is free to members). Order your cards at http://www.inspectoroutlet.com/homeowner-newsletter-handout.aspx