6 Best Home Inspector Training Schools in 2023
Kaylee specializes in real estate, B2B, and SaaS companies. You can find her expertise in sales and real estate content on Fit Small Business.
This article is part of a larger series on How to Become a Real Estate Agent.
Home inspector training requirements vary by state―in fact, some don’t require prelicensing education at all. However, if you want to start or grow your career as a home inspector, high-quality education is key. We compared dozens of options and identified the six best home inspector training schools based on cost, course availability and format, customer support, and student reviews.
The six best home inspector training schools include the following:
- American Home Inspectors Training (AHIT): Best for comprehensive online and in-person home inspector training
- International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI): Largest library of professional and business development resources for inspectors
- Inspection Certification Associates (ICA): Best for learners who prefer instructor-led courses
- ATI Training – Home Inspection Institute: Best home inspection training program and resources for solopreneurs
- Professional Home Inspection Institute (PHII): Widest variety of individual courses for professional development or specialty certifications
- Kaplan: Ideal for those who prefer self-directed study
Best Home Inspector Training Schools at a Glance
Schools | Starting Price | Learning Formats | State Availability | Customer Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Prelicensing: $699 CE: $15 Exam prep: $99 Certifications: $75 |
| 49 states | Phone, email, and live chat |
 | Membership: $49 per month or $499 per year CE: Included with membership |
| 50 states | Phone and email |
 | Prelicensing: $695 CE: $10 per hour |
| 47 states | Phone and email |
 | Prelicensing: $695 |
| 38 states | Phone, email, and live chat |
 | Prelicensing: $549 CE: $199 Certifications: $199 |
| 44 states | Phone and email |
 | Prelicensing: $799 |
| 31 states | Phone, email, and live chat |
Things you need to know before enrolling in a home inspection training program: Along with education requirements, there are additional steps to getting your home inspector license. Check out our Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Home Inspector to learn what your state requires.
If you’re not sure where to start with your home inspector training, take our quiz for a quick glance at which school is right for you. Then, read through the descriptions below to learn more about each provider.
Which home inspector training school is right for you?
American Home Inspectors Training: Most Comprehensive Online Program
Overall Score:
4.92 / 5
Pros
- Courses offered in 49 states
- 5-day free trial
- 99% exam pass success rate
Cons
- No livestream online course options
- No field training
- No home inspector training in Nevada or New Jersey
American Home Inspectors Training (AHIT) is one of the most well-known sources of home inspection training across the U.S., with licensing courses in 49 states. It offers remarkably comprehensive education and support at an affordable cost.
While the course is completely online, students receive e-textbooks and additional resources. You can also choose to participate in live, in-classroom training or field training at more than 80 locations in over 30 states. AHIT offers some of the best home inspector classes available, so it’s ideal for aspiring professionals who want a proven resource to get their license and set their careers up for success.
AHIT is one of the few schools offering live and online home inspector programs in many states. Both types of courses include an extensive number of tools and resources, like unlimited instructor support, online exercises, supplemental tutorials, and a home inspection reference guide. All courses also include exam prep materials like online exercises and practice questions. The combination of these features gives AHIT students a 99% pass rate.
Additional American Home Inspectors Training Features:
- Certifications offered: Certified Mold Assessor Technician, Radon Measurement Technician, Certified Indoor Air Quality
- Free resources before enrolling: ATI offers a free webinar and/or a catalog titled “How to Become a Home Inspector” for aspiring professionals to learn more about the process of getting your license and starting a career
- Bonus courses: Advanced and Expert packages include over 40 hours of additional courses on marketing and business topics, like sales and office management
- Additional resources: Includes a national exam prep book, free trial of InspectIT reports, marketing manual and education on business practices, and basic tools like an inspection mirror, two-prong tester, and receptacle tester
- Multiple accreditations: Accredited by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI)
American Home Inspectors Training Pricing:
Like other schools, AHIT’s pricing depends on the state and the type of education you’re purchasing. If it provides live courses in your state, courses will range from $1,295 to $2,995. On the other hand, all of AHIT’s online courses are priced the same, regardless of your state. Other courses like continuing education (CE) and professional development are offered on an individual basis, and pricing depends on the number of hours.
- Online Home Inspection Starter Package: $699 includes the professional home inspector course and exam prep
- Online Home Inspection Advanced Package: $899 includes everything in the starter package plus two textbooks
- Online Home Inspection Expert Package: $1,299 includes everything in the advanced package plus online mold and radon certification courses
- Live home inspection training courses: Range from $1,295 to $2,995, depending on your state
- Home inspector exam prep: $99 includes unlimited practice exams, study tools, an exam simulator, and a year of access
- Home inspector Premium exam prep: $229 includes everything in the exam prep plus two digital e-books
- Individual Certification courses: $75 to $999
- Individual professional development courses: Ranges from $15 to $999
- Individual CE courses: $15 to $150
American Home Inspectors Training Reviews:
AHIT has a great customer review rating of 4.5 out of 5, with most students noting how much they love the interaction with instructors, video lessons, and all of the additional resources. Most reviewers said they felt confident about their exam and career after completing AHIT’s home inspection license classes.
However, a few unhappy reviews expressed frustration that they couldn’t reach customer support easily.
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors: Best Resource Library
Overall Score:
4.82 / 5
Pros
- Most affordable monthly cost
- Ongoing resources
- Approved courses in every state
Cons
- No one-time fee; must pay monthly or annually
- No instructor support
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) is a membership-based association for aspiring and current home inspectors. Its affordable membership provides instant access to an extensive library of thousands of home inspection training courses. Search and filter courses to find approved education in your state or for specific topics like plumbing, home energy, structure, or air quality.
It is the only home inspector training resource accredited by Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET), the accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. We selected it as one of the best home inspection courses because of its extensive library of training courses.
InterNACHI is an association and not a home inspector training school, so there aren’t classroom courses or instructors you can call with questions. However, there is a message board, and InterNACHI holds in-person events where you can network and learn from experienced professionals. Membership also comes with many additional benefits like mugs, decals, logos, a Zoom background, a Facebook group, and even a directory listing on their home inspector search engine.
One truly unique resource is InterNACHI’s “House of Horrors,” a house built with purposeful defects for hands-on home inspection training. InterNACHI has houses like these in Colorado, Florida, and Pennsylvania that are open at a limited capacity. This training option is beneficial for individuals who learn best through interactive, practical training.
Additional InterNACHI Features:
- Certifications offered: Certified Professional Inspector, Certified Four Point Inspector, Certified Mold Inspector, Certified Septic System Inspector, Certified Well Inspector, and over 60 more
- Free membership guide: Instantly download the digital membership guide for answers to all common questions and more details on the events, education, and specialty programs
- Additional resources and tools: Message board, design services, insurance discounts, business development courses, licensing and state exam prep courses approved in every state
- InterNACHI certification: As a member, you can complete coursework for your Certified Professional Inspector (CPI) at any time
- Accreditations: Accredited by the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) and the ACCET
InterNACHI Pricing:
The InterNACHI membership is a subscription that can be purchased on a monthly or annual basis. There are no membership tiers, so for an extremely affordable price, you can instantly join thousands of other home inspection professionals and access all of the courses and resources.
- InterNACHI membership: $49 per month or $499 per year, includes over 1,200 of approved online education, exclusive discounts, business success tools, and the ability to earn an InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector certification
InterNACHI Reviews:
InterNACHI has an excellent customer review rating of 4.9 out of 5. Members say that the education and tools provided are excellent, especially since the material is both written and in video form. They also especially love the House of Horrors as a training tool.
The only negative review online is written by a customer who had a poor experience with an individual inspector.
Inspection Certification Associates (ICA): Best Instructor-led Courses
Overall Score:
4.21 / 5
Pros
- Online and classroom courses
- 14 bonus courses
- Lifetime access to courses and resources
Cons
- In-person courses only in 11 states
- In-person courses can be expensive
Inspection Certification Associates (ICA) is an accredited home inspection school that’s approved in 47 states, making it one of the most approved home inspector training courses in the U.S. It offers both online and in-person courses, which is especially useful for inspectors in states that require field training. Another reason it’s one of the top home inspection schools is that all licensing courses include 14 bonus courses on specific topics, which help you get the best understanding and tools to start your career.
ICA is ideal for students who want to learn directly from instructors and want additional business training. Courses include technical topics, like mold inspection and commercial property inspection, as well as marketing courses with information on social media marketing, direct mail, and creating a marketing plan. Plus, ICA is one of the only schools for home inspectors that offers in-person field training.
Additional ICA Features:
- Certifications offered: Commercial Property Inspector, Mold Assessment Technician, Radon Measurement Technician
- Free exam prep course: Includes 700 practice questions and practice exams
- Lifetime course access and support: Courses and resources never expire, plus career-long coaching and mentoring
- Additional resources: 14 bonus courses, podcasts, reporting software, and one-month access to InterNACHI
- Multiple accreditations: Accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), InterNACHI, and American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)
ICA Pricing:
The pricing for courses from ICA varies based on the type of education. Online courses cost $695, and in-person field training ranges from $1,295 to $2,195. Home inspection CE courses are offered in Florida, Illinois, and North Carolina, with prices ranging from $10 per hour to $299 for an elective package.
- Prelicensing online course: $695, includes instructor-led certification class with online materials accessible on any device
- Prelicensing classroom courses: $1,295 to $2,195, includes in-person field training classes
- Florida continuing education:
- Florida CE 14-hour renewal package: $95, includes all 14 required hours for Florida home inspectors
- Florida CE Individual courses: $10 per hour
- Illinois continuing education:
- Illinois CE 13-hour renewal bundle: $99, includes all 13 mandatory hours for Illinois home inspectors
- Inspecting Nonconventional Construction: $54, includes six mandatory hours
- Professional business responsibilities: $36, includes four mandatory hours
- Inspecting heat pumps and air conditioning: $27, includes three mandatory hours
- North Carolina online continuing education (CE):
- North Carolina 12-hour elective package: $299, includes mandatory webinar and eight hours of elective course choices
- North Carolina classroom CE:
- North Carolina 8-hour elective + 4-hour mandatory package: $299, includes four hours of mandatory courses and eight hours of elective taught by a live instructor
ICA Reviews:
ICA has a perfect customer review rating of 5 out of 5, and even has an award from BBB for being complaint-free. Students love the personal support from instructors and the hands-on learning experience.
However, one unhappy reviewer noted that the positive reviews are for the in-person classes, but the online classes are not as interactive as they had hoped.
ATI Training Home Inspection Institute: Best Home Inspector Training for Solopreneurs
Overall Score:
4.15 / 5
Pros
- Live and online courses
- Exam pass guarantee
- Financing and discounts available for military and first responders
Cons
- In-person pricing not available online
- CE course pricing not available online
- Online courses are not approved in every state
ATI Training offers both online and live, in-person home inspection training courses, and is the only school to offer financing options as well as discounts for firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics, police officers, and members of the military.
It also offers professional resources to help solopreneurs better understand their insurance options, as well as tools like website hosting and marketing support. The combination of engaging courses, field training, discounts, and business-building resources makes ATI Training best for solopreneurs who want the most support as they start their business.
One of the reasons that ATI Training is one of the best home inspector certification courses is its combination of in-person field training and two types of online courses. Online courses are flexible for busy individuals and include access to online courses and resources 24/7.
Plus, ATI Training’s courses don’t expire, so you receive lifetime access to all materials. Students receive discounts on additional services, like a marketing package with a website, logos, business cards, and a lead generation strategy to get their careers off the ground immediately.
Additional ATI Training Features:
- Certifications offered: Disaster Inspector, Radon Measurement Technician, Public Adjuster
- Additional resources: Courses include one year of Horizon home inspection software, e-books, audiobooks, and bonus courses
- Exam prep: Courses include exam prep materials and over 1,000 practice questions; ATI students have a 90% pass rate
- ATI Training Academy store with marketing products and services: The academy store offers unique marketing services designed for home inspectors, like a custom logo and business card, website hosting, and inspection toolkits
- Additional certification options: Includes courses to become a disaster inspector, public adjuster, and radon and mold certification
- Accreditations: Accredited by InterNACHI and members of All American Association of Home Inspectors (AAAHI)
ATI Training Pricing:
The home inspection degree programs from ATI Training are offered in three categories: self-paced online, interactive online, and live field training. The anytime-online courses are affordable at $695, while interactive classroom courses are more costly at $1,495. Pricing for live field training and continuing education courses are not published online.
- Anytime-Online Home Inspector Course: $695, the self-paced course includes National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE) prep course, ebooks, online exercises, inspection videos, and quizzes
- Interactive-classroom Home Inspector Course: $1,495, includes livestreamed courses, technical and marketing topics, NHIE exam prep, home inspection software, and exam pass guarantee
- Live classroom home inspection course: Pricing not published
- Continuing education: Pricing not published
ATI Training Reviews:
ATI Training is the only school on our list to score a perfect 5 out of 5 customer review rating. Students rave about the courses and instructors, calling them “exceptional,” and “wonderful,” and saying the school is the best home inspection training on the market.
They also say there is a ton of information presented, but the format and instructors make it interesting and easy to digest, so students feel supported instead of overwhelmed.
Professional Home Inspection Institute (PHII): Best Individual Certification Courses
Overall Score:
3.59 / 5
Pros
- Most affordable licensing course
- Satisfaction guarantee
- Large variety of specialty certification courses
Cons
- Lower customer review rating than its competitors on this list
- Only offers field training in South Dakota
Professional Home Inspection Institute (PHII) is a provider of home inspector training for aspiring and current inspectors, with a wide variety of both online and in-person courses. Its online training course is the most affordable option on this list and comes with many beneficial resources and tools like bonus courses, report software, a business website, and one year of North American Association of Home Inspectors (AHI) membership.
PHII also provides the highest number of courses for specialty certifications as well as non-credit topic courses. This makes PHII the best choice for home inspectors who want to enhance their careers and offer more services with additional certifications.
PHII’s online licensing courses are available in 35 states, and in-person courses are available in all states except Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, Nevada, Texas, and Washington. All students receive a 30-day money-back guarantee, lifetime access, and instructor support that is available 12 hours per day, six days per week. All these factors combined mean you’ll get access to valuable knowledge from seasoned professionals to advance your career.
PHII’s standout feature is its large library of individual courses. There are many non-credit courses that help you gain more expertise on specific topics, like pool and spa inspection, manufactured homes, and environmental hazards. In addition, certification courses can help you gain specialized expertise, build a strong reputation, and increase your income.
A few of the certification options include the following:
- Certified Energy Auditor
- Certified Weatherization Contractor
- Infrared Thermographer
- Certified Residential Mold Inspector
- Certified Commercial Mold Inspector
Additional PHII Features:
- Certifications offered: Certified Energy Auditor, Certified Weatherization Contractor, Infrared Thermographer, Certified Residential Mold Inspector, Certified Commercial Mold Inspector
- Engaging course format: Both online and in-person courses include video and audio content, as well as interactive exercises, flashcards, and practice quizzes
- Instructor access: Online and in-person courses give you access to instructors for questions and support
- Money-back guarantee: 30-day satisfaction guarantee
- Additional resources: Courses include one year of free website hosting, one-year free membership to the North American Association of Home Inspectors (AHI), home inspection report creator, and bonus courses
- Multiple accreditations: Accredited by Workforce Investment Act (WIA), BBB, American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), Inspector Pro Insurance, Associations Liability Insurance Agency (ALIA), National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP), National Radon Safety Board (NRSB), plus many individual state organizations (view the full list of PHII credentials)
PHII Pricing:
PHII’s pricing structure is simple; all online training packages cost $549, regardless of the state they are offered in. Classroom training, on the other hand, starts at $2,195 because it is much more extensive and hands-on. PHII also provides the highest number of individual CE or non-credit course topics, which are individually priced from $199 to $995.
- Home Inspection Training and Certification: $549, includes exam prep, interactive flashcards, variety of technical subjects, online videos, a library of inspection documents, report creator, and discounts
- Home Inspection Training and Certification Pro Package: $99 add-on, includes three bonus courses
- Home Inspection Training and Certification Pro Package: $99 add-on, includes mold and radon certification courses
- Home Inspection Classroom Training: $2,195 to $2,795, includes in-person field training in six-day, nine-day, 10-day, or 12-day options
- Individual CE courses: $199 to $395
- Individual course topics: $199 to $995
PHII Reviews:
Even though most online reviews for the Professional Home Inspection Institute are positive, there are a limited number of them, so their customer review rating is 3.8 out of 5. Reviewers said that they had used PHII’s courses for their certifications for many years, and the courses have helped them establish and grow a successful business. They’ve also noted that instructors and customer support are easily accessible and helpful.
However, a few unsatisfied customers say that the courses were not as comprehensive or engaging as they hoped.
Kaplan: Best Self-directed Courses
Overall Score:
2.85 / 5
Pros
- Three self-paced course formats
- Online courses include videos and interactive activities
- Online courses available in 31 states
Cons
- Courses can be expensive
- No instructor support
- No classroom courses
As a well-known, reputable online education provider in the real estate industry, you can be confident that Kaplan’s home inspector training classes are extremely in-depth and easy to follow. They offer the highest number of self-paced course formats―you can order a textbook and study at home, learn online, or access on-demand videos to complete your required hours. This makes Kaplan the best choice for aspiring home inspectors who want an engaging, self-paced, easy-to-understand online education.
xKaplan’s online home inspection course consists of instructional videos, interactive exercises, photos and diagrams, and practice quiz questions. It includes articles and videos with advice, tips, and tricks about rules and safety, understanding your market, and specific inspection points. It also uniquely provides a textbook as an alternative or enhancement to the online course.
Additional Kaplan Features:
- Engaging course format options: Courses available via physical textbook (home study), online, or on-demand video courses, which include instructional videos and graphics, and interactive activities
- Professional development course: An on-demand course about starting and establishing a successful home inspection business
- Additional resources: Free trial of Horizon home inspection software
- Multiple accreditations: Accredited by ARELLO and International Distance Education Certification Center (IDECC)
Kaplan Pricing:
The pricing structure for Kaplan’s home inspection courses is simple. There are two licensing course options and one professional development course, and the prices for each course are the same in every available state.
- Principles of Home Inspection: Systems and Standards Online: $799, includes 11 hours of video instruction, technical illustrations, interactive exercises, and progress quiz questions
- Principles of Home Inspection: Systems and Standards Textbook: $179, includes third edition of physical home inspection textbook
- How to Start a Home Inspection Business On-demand Course: $245, includes 14 hours of on-demand video lectures
Kaplan Reviews:
Kaplan has a great customer review rating of 4.4 out of 5. Students love the variety of course options and engaging, interactive course material. However, Kaplan is an education provider for many different industries, so some of the reviews are from students who took courses to become a real estate agent instead of a home inspector.
In addition, like AHIT and InterNACHI, Kaplan doesn’t provide the option of in-person classes with hands-on instruction.
How We Evaluated the Best Home Inspector Training Schools
Since being a home inspector is an active, hands-on job that usually also requires business knowledge, the best training programs combine real-world examples with access to industry experts and the resources you need to succeed. We looked for state-approved and accredited programs that provide videos of actual home inspections or recorded in-field demonstrations. We also evaluated online courses that provide comprehensive resources on building mechanics and other aspects of a residential property inspection.
Based on the criteria above, we recommend American Home Inspectors Training (AHIT) as the best overall option for home inspection training. Not only does their platform offer a range of course types and lifetime support to students, but they are also the only school to offer a free trial and have a 99% student pass rate.
We evaluated each home inspector training program based on the following:
25%
Learning Styles & Course Features
20%
Pricing
15%
Education Provided
15%
Additional Features
10%
Customer Reviews
10%
Expert Score
5%
Help & Support
25% of Overall Score
Consists of various formatting and learning styles for each course to meet the specific needs of the student as well as ease of course accessibility.
20% of Overall Score
Pricing is based on the cost of prelicensing, continuing education, and exam prep for each online institution.
15% of Overall Score
The availability of courses throughout the country, measured by the number of states where each institution offers education.
15% of Overall Score
Criteria is based on the additional features each institution provides to students to enhance their learning. These include career assistance, coaching and training, pass and refund guarantees, interactive study groups, and course extension options.
10% of Overall Score
Based on customer feedback for each program to certify the course meets user satisfaction, with particular attention given to reviews of the home inspection training program and the provider’s popularity.
10% of Overall Score
Expertise in the field and firsthand experience with the providers allow us to evaluate the standout features, value for the money, and ease of use for each training program.
5% of Overall Score
We looked into the convenience and attainability of customer service support for technical support and instructor assistance.
*Percentages of overall score
Bottom Line
In order to become a home inspector or grow in your career, finding the right home inspector training schools is key. To determine which home inspection certification is best for you, find one that fits your budget, learning style, and need for support.
