AHIT Instructor Selected for Washington Home Inspector Advisory Board

From photographer to licensed contractor, successful home inspector to gifted AHIT technical trainer—Washington-based Glen Thompson has covered a lot of ground in his impressive career. This year, he’s adding one more experience into the mix, and it’s one that will help guide the home inspection industry in Washington for years to come. 

Glen has been selected to serve a three-year term on the Washington State Home Inspector Advisory Board. 

Glen’s Home Inspection Journey

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Glen since 2020 when I met him in Renton, Washington. He started his home inspection journey in 2016, much like many other inspectors (and AHIT instructors) — by sitting in an AHIT home inspection course.  

Glen studied camera repair technology in college and is an avid photographer. But he was actually working as a licensed contractor in Washington before setting his sights on home inspection and AHIT. After completing AHIT’s course, Glen spent five days in the field performing 10 home inspections while supervised by a licensed home inspector to complete his WA licensing requirements.  

Not many know this, but the state of Washington is one of the most challenging states in which to earn a home inspection license. It requires home inspector candidates to pass the (sometimes dreaded) National Home Inspector Examination as well as a state exam covering the more intricate Washington State Home Inspector Standards of Practice. 

Glen, of course, passed both exams with flying colors. 

He started his inspection career in Richland and within a couple of years, moved to Spokane, where he began his own successful home inspection company, Innovative Home Inspection Services. Glen has since completed over 1,000 home inspections and has grown into a pro user of high-tech tools in his inspection process — including thermal imaging, sewer scopes, and radon testing equipment. He’s also a Certified Master Inspector® through the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors® (InterNACHI®). 

In my years of working with Glen, I’ve learned that his accolades aren’t just for show. He truly loves what he does. He loves helping homebuyers get the information they need to make better purchase decisions when choosing a home. He enjoys working with sellers to prepare their homes for listing by finding those issues that could prevent a deal. And above all, he is passionate about helping homeowners stay safe in their homes. 

Joining the Washington State Home Inspector Advisory Board

The Washington State Home Inspector Advisory Board is the authority that establishes the minimum qualifications for home inspector licensing in Washington. The board approves the administration of exams as well as the content and timing of the exams. Additionally, it establishes and regularly reviews the standards of professional conduct, practice, and business ethics throughout the state’s home inspection landscape. 

It’s a big deal to be invited to serve on the board and being chosen is no easy feat. It involves: 

• Completing an extensive application 
• Undergoing a series of background checks 
• Participating in multiple peer interviews 
• Logging five years of experience as an active licensed home inspector in the state 
• Performing a minimum of 500 home inspections in the state 

It’s hard to know exactly how many qualified candidates Glen was contending with, but to give you an idea, there are 1,378 active licensed home inspectors in the state. A good chunk of them were likely qualified. It’s a great honor to be selected for the board and we all share in Glen’s excitement in being chosen! 

Guiding the Home Inspection Industry in Washington and Beyond

Glen now joins the seven-member advisory board — which, by law, must include one member who is actively teaching in a home inspector education program (Glen). His expertise, training, and love for this industry all make him a perfect fit as a board member. 

At AHIT, we are blessed to have him as a graduate and as one of our excellent technical trainers. (Check out AHIT’s upcoming WA training courses!) We wish him the best as he begins his board journey and represents the interests of licensed home inspectors across the state of Washington. 

When Glen isn’t teaching, performing home inspections, or fulfilling his board duties, you can find him most days long-distance running on the streets and trails of Spokane. He’s an ultra-marathon runner, to boot. On other days, Glen might be hiking with his beautiful wife, Kari, running with his two sons, Bradley and Darren, or remodeling his home. 

Congrats Glen – from all of us at AHIT!