Home inspector training requirements vary by state―some don’t require prelicensing education at all. However, high-quality education is critical if you want to start or grow your career as a home inspector. Schools must offer extensive learning formats, practice and simulated tests, and hands-on training at a reasonable price. My team and I 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.
- Best for comprehensive online and in-person training: American Home Inspectors Training (AHIT)
- Best for the largest library of resources: International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI)
- Best for solopreneurs: ATI Training – Home Inspection Institute
- Best for instructor-led courses: Inspection Certification Associates (ICA)
- Best for specialty certifications: Professional Home Inspection Institute (PHII)
- Best for self-directed study courses: Kaplan
Best Home Inspector Training Schools at a Glance
American Home Inspectors Training (AHIT) | |||
 Overall score: 4.97 out of 5 |
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International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) | |||
 Overall score: 4.95 out of 5 |
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ATI Training – Home Inspection Institute | |||
 Overall score: 4.35 out of 5 |
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Inspection Certification Associates (ICA) | |||
 Overall score: 4.30 out of 5 |
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Professional Home Inspection Institute (PHII) | |||
 Overall score: 3.84 out of 5 |
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Kaplan | |||
 Overall score: 3.19 out of 5 |
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If you’re unsure where to start with your home inspector training, take our quiz for a glance at which school is right for you.
Which home inspector training school is right for you?
Best for Comprehensive Online & In-person Training
Pros
- Discounted errors & omissions insurance
- Unlimited instructor and customer support
- Free reporting software
Cons
- National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE) Prep e-textbook is only available for Advanced or Expert packages
- No home inspector training in Nevada or New Jersey
- No mobile app
Our Expert Opinion on AHIT
My colleagues and I ranked American Home Inspectors Training (AHIT) as the best home inspector training school in the United States, with licensing courses in 49 states (including Washington, D.C.). It offers remarkably comprehensive education and support at an affordable cost. While the course is entirely online, students receive e-textbooks and additional resources. You can also participate in live, in-classroom training or field training at over 80 locations in over 30 states. However, AHIT must provide a mobile app to accommodate busy aspiring inspectors and improve its education.
AHIT exam prep course feedback (Source: AHIT)
- Certifications offered: Certified Mold Assessor Technician, Indoor Air Quality Technician, and Radon Measurement Professional
- 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.
- Accreditations: American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI)
AHIT has an excellent customer review rating of 4.5 out of 5, with most students noting how much they love the interaction with instructors, video lessons, and 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. Plus, some students are discouraged by the relatively expensive cost of AHIT prelicensing classes. For more affordable home inspection license classes, consider InterNACHI, which offers prelicensing courses for around $200 less than most other home inspector training providers.
AHIT’s pricing depends on the state and the type of education you’re purchasing. Other courses like continuing education (CE) and professional development are offered individually, and pricing depends on the number of hours:
- Prelicensing: $699 to $2,399
- CE: $15 to $420
- Exam prep: $99 to $229
- Certifications: $75 to $999
Read how our experts feel about this home inspection training school in our AHIT review.
Best for the Largest Resource Library
Pros
- 1,400+ hours of free continuing education
- 2,000+ prelicensing practice questions
- Free 45+ certifications
Cons
- No one-time fee; you must pay monthly or annually
- No instructor support
- No interactive study groups
Our Expert Opinion on InterNACHI
InterNACHI offers an affordable membership-based plan, starting at $49 per month, that provides instant access to an extensive library of thousands of home inspection training courses. Search and filter courses for approved education in your state, like plumbing, home energy, structure, or air quality. Another feature I like is its additional resources and tools, including a message board, design services, insurance discounts, and business development courses. However, the school could improve by giving interactive study groups and a mobile app.
Example of InterNACHI course library (Source: InterNACHI)
- 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.
- InterNACHI certification: As a member, you can complete coursework for your Certified Professional Inspector (CPI) anytime.
- Accreditations: Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) and the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET)
InterNACHI has an outstanding customer review rating of 4.9 out of 5. Members say that the education and tools provided are fantastic, especially since the material is available in both written and video forms. They also especially love the House of Horrors as a training tool.
The only negative online review was written by a customer who had a poor experience with an individual inspector. Additionally, the school doesn’t offer a pass and refund guarantee. Consider ATI Training – Home Inspection Institute, which has a 90% pass rate and a refund guarantee.
- 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.
Best for Solopreneurs
Pros
- Self-paced online and live classroom courses
- Lifetime access to materials
- Financing and discounts available
Cons
- No career assistance
- No interactive study groups
- No live chat or 24/7 customer support
Our Expert Opinion on ATI Training
I recommend ATI Training, which offers self-paced online and live classroom courses. It also delivers financing options and discounts for firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), police officers, and military veterans. The school provides professional and business-building resources and tools like website hosting and marketing. This helps solopreneurs better understand their insurance options and support them as they start their businesses. Yet, the school may improve by offering career assistance and interactive study groups.
ATI Training digital marketing package (Source: ATI Training)
- Certifications offered: Disaster Inspector, Radon Measurement Technician, and Public Adjuster
- Additional resources: Courses include one year of Horizon home inspection software, e-books, audiobooks, and bonus courses.
- 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.
- Accreditations: InterNACHI and members of All American Association of Home Inspectors (AAAHI)
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 a ton of information is presented, but the format and instructors make it interesting and easy to digest, so students feel supported instead of overwhelmed. Regardless, ATI Training doesn’t offer career assistance and interactive study groups. If you wish to have those features and services, we recommend AHIT.
The home inspection degree programs from ATI Training are offered in two learning formats: self-paced online and interactive in-classroom courses:
- Prelicensing: $459 to $2,295
- CE: Free
Best for Instructor-led Courses
Pros
- Online and live training courses
- 17 bonus courses
- Lifetime access to courses and resources
Cons
- In-person, live courses are only available in 14 states
- In-classroom and field training classes are expensive
- CE courses are only available in 15 states
Our Expert Opinion on Inspection Certification Associates (ICA)
Inspection Certification Associates (ICA) is an accredited home inspection school approved in 50 states. It offers online and in-person courses, which is helpful for inspectors in states requiring field training. Another reason we ranked it as one of the best home inspection training schools is because all its licensing courses include 17 bonus courses on specific topics, which help you get the best understanding and tools to start your career. However, ICA may improve its educational services by providing a pass guarantee and live chat customer support.
Home inspection course demo video (Source: ICA)
- Certifications offered: Commercial Property Inspector, Mold Assessment Technician, Radon Measurement Technician
- Free exam prep course: Includes 700+ practice questions and practice exams.
- Additional resources: 17 bonus courses, podcasts, reporting software, and one-month access to InterNACHI.
- Accreditations: Better Business Bureau (BBB), InterNACHI, and American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)
ICA has an incredible customer review rating of 4.9 out of 5 and even has an award from BBB for being complaint-free. Students believe it’s one of the best home inspector training schools because of its excellent and dedicated instructors. Many students also mentioned that they appreciated that the course content was comprehensive, well-organized, and practical, preparing them with confidence for their career in home inspections.
However, some students noted that the positive reviews are for the in-person classes, but the online classes are not as interactive as they had hoped. Besides, ICA doesn’t provide direct instructor assistance and interactive study groups, unlike AHIT.
The pricing for courses from ICA varies based on the type of education and learning format you choose:
- Prelicensing: $695 to $1,795
- CE: $22 to $349
Best for Specialty Certifications
Pros
- Lifetime access to materials
- 30-day satisfaction guarantee
- Video and audio content, interactive exercises, flashcards, and practice quizzes
Cons
- Only offers field training in South Dakota
- No pass guarantee
- Only phone support is available
Our Expert Opinion on Professional Home Inspection Institute (PHII)
I love that the PHII online training course has 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. The school also provides the highest number of courses for specialty certifications and non-credit topic courses, helping you enhance and advance your career. However, we believe PHII should provide comprehensive customer support and one-on-one coaching and training.
PHII interactive course tour (Source: PHII)
- Certifications offered: Certified Energy Auditor, Certified Weatherization Contractor, Infrared Thermographer, Certified Residential Mold Inspector, and Certified Commercial Mold Inspector
- Instructor access: Online and in-person courses give you access to instructors for questions and support.
- Accreditations: 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 complete list of PHII credentials)
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 they had used PHII’s courses for their certifications for many years, which 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 the courses were not as comprehensive or engaging as they hoped. In addition, the school doesn’t provide a pass guarantee and email and live chat support, making it challenging for students to contact the school. If you require those features, we suggest ATI Training – Home Inspection Institute or AHIT, which boast a 90% pass rate and 99% exam pass success rate, respectively.
- Prelicensing: All online training packages cost $699, regardless of the state they are offered in. Classroom training starts at $2,795.
- CE: $199 to $395
- Certifications: $199 to $799
Best for Self-directed Study Courses
Pros
- Direct instructor assistance
- Online courses include videos and interactive activities
- Home study and online video learning formats
Cons
- Courses can be expensive
- No pass guarantee
- No in-classroom courses
Our Expert Opinion on Kaplan
As a reputable real estate online education provider, you can be confident that Kaplan’s home inspector training classes are in-depth and easy to follow. I appreciate that they offer the highest number of self-paced course formats―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 students who want an engaging, self-paced online education. Yet, Kaplan may improve by supplying students with live webinar classes and a mobile app.
Kaplan Learning home inspection course example (Source: Kaplan)
- 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.
- Accreditations: ARELLO and International Distance Education Certification Center (IDECC)
Kaplan has an excellent customer review rating of 4.6 out of 5. Students love the course variety and interactive course material. However, Kaplan is an education provider for multiple industries, so most reviews are from students who took courses to become real estate agents instead of home inspectors.
Note that Kaplan doesn’t provide in-person classes with hands-on instruction. So, if you want to take in-classroom courses, we recommend AHIT or Inspection Certification Associates (ICA).
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 Textbook: $179
- Principles of Home Inspection: Systems and Standards Online: $799
How We Evaluated the Best Home Inspector Training Schools
Since being a home inspector is an active, hands-on job that usually 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 its platform offer a range of course types and lifetime support to students, but it is 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% 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
This criterion 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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Being a home inspector does not require having a background in construction, although it can help potential home inspectors succeed if they have some general knowledge and existing construction experience.
Find out first what your state’s requirements are for home inspector licenses. After that, enroll in a few prelicensing home inspection courses to familiarize yourself with the responsibilities of a home inspector. Lastly, obtain your certification as a home inspector and complete any state-mandated training. A home inspector may operate on their own or work in a company.
Your present residence and the state you plan to relocate to will determine whether or not your home inspection license transfers. While some states only need a license, others also demand extensive training.
Bottom Line
Finding the right home inspector training schools is key to becoming a home inspector or growing your career. To determine which home inspection certification is best for you, find one that fits your budget, learning style, and need for support.
