How to Become a Certified Home Inspector in Iowa

Welcome to the Iowa Home Inspector Certification Program. Iowa requires individuals who perform home inspections for compensation  comply with Iowa law by the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board, under the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH). Before beginning any pre-licensing education, you should review the board’s licensing requirements, education and examination options, insurance obligations, and application procedures.

You may find official licensing information at:   https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ba=SF+460&ga=91

To Become a Licensed Home Certified in Iowa, You Must:

1. Be a member in good standing of a qualifying national home inspection association. Join InterNACHI®.
2. Pass an examination testing knowledge of the proper procedures for conducting a home inspection. Take InterNACHI's Online Home Inspector Exam.
3. Conduct home inspections based on the Standards of Practice of a national inspectors association; InterNACHI's Standard of Practice. 
4. Comply with a Code of Ethics of a national inspectors association; InterNACHI's Code of Ethics.  
5. Take professional continuing education classes as an ongoing condition of membership. Free at nachi.org/education.
6. Provide proof of general liability insurance in amounts required by board rule. InterNACHI members do receive a discount on insurance, and you can get a quote at nachi.org/insurance.
7. New inspectors: Send a list of 100 addresses of inspections you've performed or participated in to [email protected]. Don't send the reports, just the list of addresses.