How to Become a Licensed Home Inspector in Rhode Island

Rhode Island offers two different home inspector licenses - a Home Inspector license and an Associate Home Inspector license. In order to obtain a Home Inspector license, an applicant must:

- Pass the Rhode Island Home Inspector Exam (offered through PSI);
- Provide evidence of 100 inspections;
- Provide a Certificate of General Liability Insurance with a minimum coverage of $500,000, naming RICRLB as the certificate holder;
- Provide a Certificate of Errors and Omissions Insurance with a minimum coverage of $500,000, naming RICRLB as the certificate holder;
- [If one has employees] Submit a Certificate of Workers’ Compensation Insurance, also naming RICRLB as the certificate holder;
- Register with the Rhode Island Secretary of State;
- Provide a clear copy of a valid government-issued ID;
- Pay a license fee of $200.

To obtain an Associate Home Inspector license, one must do all of the items listed previously but only needs to submit evidence of 50 inspections.

More information on licensing can be found on the state website.

To Help Prepare for the State Exam

To help prepare for the state exam, you may take advantage of several resources we provide, such as InterNACHI's Online Inspector Exam (free and open to everyone), the InterNACHI® Ultimate Home Inspection Practice Test (free for members), and InterNACHI's online courses (free for members). We do not know what's on the state exam, but the preparation resources may be helpful to you.

Home Inspector Insurance

To be a licensed home inspector in Rhode Island, individuals must meet certain requirements for adequate insurance coverage. InterNACHI members are eligible for discounts and enhanced coverage. Visit nachi.org/insurance for information on how to sign up.

Become an InterNACHI Certified Home Inspector

Just because you're licensed doesn't mean you'll be successful. To compete with all other licensed home inspectors, take advantage of all of the marketing and business resources that InterNACHI® provides to InterNACHI® Certified Home Inspectors. InterNACHI® provides an accredited Home Inspector Certificate Program to members to attain the Certified Professional Inspector (CPI)® designation. The training, exam, and certification are all online and free for members.

We recommend following the 15-Step Checklist for Home Inspector Success.

Home Inspector Certificate Program

InterNACHI is the world's largest association for home inspectors. We provide free training, online testing and certification, business development, marketing support, discounts on everything from home inspection software to E&O insurance to your next truck, and more.

InterNACHI® School (internachi.edu) is the only college for home inspectors accredited by the U.S. Dept. of Education. InterNACHI® provides tuition-free online training, examination, certification, and continuing education to InterNACHI® members in Rhode Island. Verify accreditations.

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Scroll down this page for everything you need to get started, grow your business, and become a successful inspector in Rhode Island.

Continuing Education (online & free for members):

The Rhode Island Contractor's Registration and Licensing Board requires that Home Inspectors and Associate Home Inspectors complete 12 hours of continuing education upon renewal.

Home inspectors can fulfill their Continuing Education requirements by taking InterNACHI's free, online courses and proctored examinations, both of which are approved by Rhode Island Contractor's Registration and Licensing Board. The online courses are free to members.

For more information, please visit the state website.

If any reasonable accommodation is needed to ensure equal access, service or participation and/or to request sign language and/or CART services for the deaf and hard of hearing, please contact the following person who InterNACHI has designated to handle such requests and related inquiries:

Kaela Passarelli
Education Team Manager
[email protected]
720-735-7125

Click Here For Rhode Island Approved Courses

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®

Rhode Island Real Estate Agent CE (free & online)

This is a great marketing strategy for home inspectors in Rhode Island. Licensed real estate professionals can attain free Continuing Education by contacting their local InterNACHI member. InterNACHI is an approved course provider for Rhode Island real estate agents. To order your free marketing cards, visit https://www.nachi.org/rhode-island-real-estate-commission-licensing-continuing-education-provider.htm

Radon Tester Certification (online & free)

Rhode Island regulates individuals that perform radon testing, measurement, and mitigation. Individuals must be certified through the state by taking certification courses such as AARST-NRPP or NRSB. The State of Rhode Island Department of Health lists InterNACHI's free, online Advanced Radon Measurement Service Provider Course as an approved course for initial certification. Visit the Rhode Island website for details.

NRPP:

InterNACHI's free, online "Radon Measurement Professional Initial Training 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:

For those looking for NRSB continuing education, members should take the free, online "Advanced Radon Measurement Service Provider" course.

Wood-Destroying Organism Inspector Continuing Education (online & free)

Rhode Island approves InterNACHI's free, online "Wood-Destroying Organism Inspection Course" for Continuing Education for licensed pesticide applicators. For details, visit https://www.nachi.org/rhode-island-wdo-course.htm.

"It is approved for continuing education credits for people who hold category 7B certification, which means that they have passed the pesticide core exam and the category 7B termites & wood destroying organisms test. The Rhode island Division of Agriculture certifies and licenses pesticide applicators. Many home inspectors take the core and category 7B exams in order to satisfy HUD and FHA requirements. We do not license home inspectors as such. Our laws only cover pesticide application." - Robin Mooney, Rhode Island Department of Agriculture, Aug 29, 2014.

Commercial Property Inspections

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

Home Energy Inspector Certification (online & free)

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

How to Join InterNACHI

Join InterNACHI Today

Business & Marketing (online & free)

Click here for BizVelop.com

Free, online "Home Inspection Business Course": nachi.org/become-home-inspector-business-course-101

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.