Home inspector training requirements vary by state, and some states don’t require prelicensing education at all, but the courses offered by high-quality providers make it easier to start a successful career as a professional home inspector. We compared dozens of home inspection training programs and identified the six best schools—including the best overall home inspector training program—based on factors like price, course availability and format, customer support, and student reviews.
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Current and aspiring home inspectors looking exclusively for comprehensive online training and resources | Learners who prefer instructor-led courses, in-person and online | Learners seeking business development and access to the largest library of resources | Aspiring professional home inspectors who prefer self-directed study | Independent home inspectors who want an all-in-one platform for inspection training and professional resources | Budget-strapped students who need a low-cost home inspector training option |
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 help you get started.
How We Evaluated the Top Home Inspector Training Schools
Since being a home inspector is an active, hands-on job that also requires business knowledge, the best training program combines real-world examples with access to industry experts to help you gain the experience you need to succeed. We looked for home inspector training that featured videos of actual home inspections or offered recorded in-field demonstrations. We also looked for online courses that provided comprehensive resources on building mechanics and other aspects of 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 it also received the highest possible customer review rating―5 out of 5.
We evaluated each home inspector training program based on the following:
25% of Overall Score
Pricing is based on the cost of prelicensing and continuing education for each online institution.
20% 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.
15% of Overall Score
Based on customer feedback for each program to certify the course meets user satisfaction, with particular attention given to product reviews and popularity of the provider.
15% 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.
15% of Overall Score
The availability of courses throughout the country, measured by the number of states where each institution offers education.
10% of Overall Score
We looked into the convenience and attainability of customer service for technical support and instructor assistance.
American Home Inspectors Training: Most Comprehensive Online Program
American Home Inspectors Training
What We Like
- Courses with GoPro video footage of actual inspections
- Approved in 33 states
- Courses include physical textbooks and tools
What's Missing
- No physical locations
- No field training
Additional Features
- Platform is fully online
- Instructor support
- Free webinar and catalog
- Courses with GoPro video footage of actual inspections
- Includes marketing manual and education on business practices
- Engaging exercises and practice questions
- National exam prep book
- Free trial of Inspect IT reports
- Includes basic tools like an inspection mirror, two-prong tester, and receptacle tester
- Accredited by American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI)
As one of the most affordable home inspector training programs in the country, the American Home Inspectors Training (AHIT) licensing course offers remarkably comprehensive education and support. The course is completely online along with hard copies of textbooks, resources, and even includes basic tools like an inspection mirror, two-prong tester, GFCI receptacle tester, and a paper inspection report. There is also unlimited support from instructors via phone and email, which will help you when you have a real-world question.
You won’t find a home inspector training program with better reviews than AHIT, which received the highest possible rating of 5 out of 5 from its customers. The only thing missing from AHIT’s program is classroom or field training experience. If you need field training to become a home inspector in your state, try the ATI Training — Home Inspection Institute.
Pricing
- Home Inspection course: $695
- Individual Certification courses: $75 to $999
- Professional Development courses and subscriptions: $35 to $400
- A Practical Guide to Home Inspection E-book: $185
Inspection Certification Associates: Best Instructor-led Classes
Inspection Certification Associates
What We Like
- Online and classroom courses
- Approved in 44 states
- 14 bonus courses
What's Missing
- Classroom courses only available in 11 states
- Classroom courses can be expensive
Additional Features
- Self-paced online course
- 28 streaming video home inspector training sessions
- Lifetime access to an extensive library of e-books and additional resources
- Course materials for every state
- Free report software included
- Classroom courses in 11 states
- 14 bonus courses
- Free one-month InterNACHI membership
- Instructor support
- Customer review rating of 4.6 out of 5
- Accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), InterNACHI, American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)
Inspection Certification Associates (ICA) is approved for home inspection licensure in 44 states, making it the most approved home inspector training course in the U.S. It’s also an ideal choice for aspiring home inspectors who want to learn directly from an instructor, whether it’s in a physical classroom or online.
Along with your approved course, you’ll also receive 14 bonus courses covering information like commercial property inspections, radon inspections, and wood-destroying organisms. Additionally, they offer individual courses on professional development topics, such as marketing for home inspectors.
Although all classes from ICA are taught by instructors, students are unable to ask questions during class. When you have questions, you use a live chat or call an instructor. Students gave ICA extremely high ratings, and only had minor complaints about the voice of the instructor and the lack of material covering finances. If you want even more resources, we recommend becoming a member of InterNACHI.
Pricing
Prelicensing:
- Online course: $695
- Classroom courses: $1,295 to $2,295
Continued Education:
- Florida:
- 14-hour renewal package: $95
- Five-hour renewal package: $50
- Individual courses: $10 per hour
- Illinois:
- 13-hour renewal bundle: $99
- Five-hour course: $45
- Four-hour course: $36
- North Carolina online continuing education (CE):
- 12-hour elective package: $299
- Live mandatory four-hour package: $139
- Individual courses: $20 per hour
- North Carolina classroom CE:
- Eight-hour elective plus four-hour mandatory package: $299
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI): Best Resource Library
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI)
What We Like
- Most affordable monthly cost
- Ongoing resources
- Approved courses in every state
What's Missing
- No one-time fee; must pay monthly or annually
- No classroom courses
- No instructor support
Additional Features
- Approved courses in every state
- Membership comes with free design services, insurance discounts, business development courses, and other resources
- Free online exam
- Free state exam prep course
- Message board
- Library of how-to videos
- Customer review rating of 4.6 out of 5
- Accredited by Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) and the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET)
Membership in InterNACHI comes with many benefits, like mugs, decals, logos, a Zoom background, a Facebook group, and even a directory listing on their home inspector search engine. You also get instant access to the extensive library of thousands of home inspection training courses. You can even search and filter courses to find approved education in your state or training on specific topics like plumbing, home energy, structure, or air quality.
Since InterNACHI is an association (as opposed to a home inspector training school), there aren’t classroom courses or instructors to call with questions. However, they do have a message board and in-person events where you can network and learn from experienced home inspectors. Plus, they’re the only home inspector training resource accredited by ACCET, the accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If you prefer a school that provides you with access to instructors, check out AHIT.
Pricing
- InterNACHI membership: $49 per month or $499 per year
Kaplan: Best Self-directed Courses
Kaplan
What We Like
- Three self-paced course formats
- Online courses include videos and interactive activities
- Online courses available in 32 states
What's Missing
- Courses can be expensive
- No instructor support
- No classroom courses
Additional Features
- Courses available via physical textbook (home study), online, or on-demand video courses
- Courses include instructional videos and graphics
- Interactive activities
- Nearly 100 videos including classroom seminars, onsite inspections, and software instruction
- Free trial of home inspection software
- Professional development courses
- Customer review rating of 4.3 out of 5
- Accredited by ARELLO and International Distance Education Certification Center (IDECC)
As a well-known and reputable online education provider, 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 use on-demand videos to complete your required hours. Kaplan also provides a unique professional development course outlining the exact steps needed to establish a successful home inspection business.
Similar to the other online home inspector training programs, Kaplan is only missing the option of in-person classes with hands-on instruction. The lack of instructor support could be difficult for some learners, so for classroom courses and unlimited instructor support, try Inspection Certification Associates.
Pricing
- Principles of Home Inspection: Systems and Standards Online Course: $799
- Principles of Home Inspection: Systems and Standards Textbook: $179
- How to Start a Home Inspection Business OnDemand Course: $245
ATI Training — Home Inspection Institute: Best Home Inspector Training for Solopreneurs
ATI Training Home Inspection Institute
What We Like
- Live and online courses
- Classroom courses available in 23 states
- Exam pass guarantee
What's Missing
- In-person pricing not available online
- Online courses are not approved in 12 states
Additional Features
- Field training
- Inspection video library
- Thousands of practice questions
- Instructor support
- Support from All American Association of Home Inspectors (AAAHI)
- Includes free software
- Financing available
- Discounts on tools, marketing material, and continuing education
- Military discount up to 40%
- Benefits for EMTs, firefighters, and police officers
- Customer review rating 4.2 out of 5
- Accredited by InterNACHI and members of AAAHI
ATI Training offers online and live, in-person home inspection training courses. For solopreneurs, it also offers professional resources to help you better understand insurance options and tools like website hosting and marketing support. This is also the only school to offer financing options for all aspiring home inspectors, as well as discounts for firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), police officers, and members of the military.
If you’re planning on starting a home inspection business, ATI Training is an ideal, all-in-one solution for you with a balance of online courses and field training. However, pricing for field training and classroom courses isn’t published online, which may indicate they are high-priced. If you want to check out a different classroom option, try Inspection Certification Associates.
Pricing
- Online Home Inspector Course: $695
Professional Home Inspection Institute (PHII): Best Low-cost Training Option
Professional Home Inspection Institute (PHII)
What We Like
- Most affordable course
- Online and classroom courses
- Hundreds of add-on courses
What's Missing
- Classroom courses only in five states
- Comparatively low customer review rating
Additional Features
- Online licensing course includes prelicensing coursework, one-year North American Association of Home Inspectors (NAAHI) membership, and a business website
- Online course approved in 45 states
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Includes tools like reporting software and an InspectHost business website
- Many optional add-on courses
- Lifetime access to course material
- Live support 12 hours a day, six days a week
- Pre- and post-course tests assess progress
- Flash cards
- Audio and video components
- Customer review rating of 3.9 out of 5
- Accredited by the BBB and the North American Association of Home Inspectors (NAAHI)
The home inspection training course from Professional Home Inspection Institute (PHII) is the most affordable on our list and is approved for licensure in 45 states. In addition, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee, lifetime access, and 12 hours of instructor support available six days per week. All these factors combined mean you’ll receive useful knowledge from seasoned professionals that will advance your career.
PHII also offers hundreds of individual add-on courses, ranging from mold training to weatherization contractor courses. Even experienced home inspectors can benefit from these add-on courses for years, all throughout their careers. Some PHII students stated that the course material was simple to understand, but it was difficult at times to stay engaged. For more engaging online home inspector training, check out Kaplan.
Pricing
- Home Inspection Online Licensing Course: $595 (90 to 120 hours)
- Home Inspection Classroom Training: Starts at $1,995
- Advanced Home Inspection: $395
- Defect Recognition: $199
- Environmental Hazards: $199
- Simple Home Construction: $199
- House Framing Methods: $299
- Manufactured Homes: $299
- Marketing and Business: $199
- Mold Basics: $199
- Pool and Spa Inspection: $199
- Structural Pest Inspection: $299
- Wind Mitigation: $89
- Radon Testing: $299
- Mold Inspection: $249
- Infrared Surveys: $499 to $1,295
If you’re looking for a different career in the real estate industry, read how to become a real estate agent and learn about the best accredited real estate schools.
