How Do You Become a Home Inspector in Georgia?

Are you ready to lay the foundation of your own home inspection business? We’ve created a comprehensive guide to help you cement your new career as a home inspector in Georgia. Follow the steps below to learn more about home inspection courses (and why they’re necessary), taking the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE), networking in your area, home inspection insurance must-haves, and where to go from here.

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Prerequisites:

  • There are no national prerequisites (however, some home inspection firms might require a GED, insurance, a clean background check, etc.)

  1. Prepare for Your Career With Georgia’s State-Recognized Home Inspection Courses

    While Georgia does not require a license to work as a home inspector, there are different types of inspections and business practices by which home inspectors must legally abide. Professional home inspection training from a reputable school is key to understanding those business practices as well as establishing yourself as a trusted expert.

    Many home inspection associations and industry professionals agree that this coursework is essential to setting yourself up for success from the start.

    Additionally, real estate agents, potential employers, and lenders prefer working with individuals who hold a home inspector certification because the smooth operation of their business relies on yours. This expertise gives certified home inspectors a critical edge in finding new and repeat business.

    Our 120-hr. recommended course, including ebooks, will prepare you to face the real-world challenges that licensed home inspectors typically encounter, and help you master the topics found on the National Home Inspector Exam.

  2. Pass the National Home Inspector Exam

    After completing your home inspector courses, the next step in establishing yourself as a trusted expert is passing the National Home Inspection Exam. The exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions (25 of which are not scored) covering three major domains, or sections, that every home inspector should know. Those domains are:

    • Property and Building Inspection/Site Review
    • Analysis of Findings and Reporting
    • Professional Responsibilities

    Test takers are given 4 hours to complete the exam, and each attempt costs roughly $225 (depending on your location). Due to the unignorable cost of taking the exam, we highly recommend taking an Exam Prep course to greatly increase your chances of passing on the first try. If an individual does not pass, they must wait 30 days before taking the exam again.

    Fun Fact: Veterans taking the National Home Inspector Exam are eligible for reimbursement through the GI Bill. Those who choose to exercise this benefit must complete a VBA-22-0803-ARE and submit it with the receipt to the VA for reimbursement.

  3. Begin to Network, Make Connections, and Join Professional Associations in Georgia

    From hosting events for real estate agents to joining a local leads group, networking is a major part of getting your home inspection business off the ground. The good news is, you can approach networking however you see fit. Want to join a volunteer group? How about a hunting or outdoors group? No matter how you go about it, the goal is to connect with as many potential clients as you can to get the word out. There are also professional trade organizations for home inspectors that you could join. In Georgia, the Georgia Association of Home Inspectors (GAHI) can be a great resource for local home inspectors to hone their skills.

  4. Purchase General Liability Insurance and/or Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance

    Making mistakes is a part of human nature, and it happens to the best of us. To protect yourself and your livelihood from career-ending lawsuits, taking out a general liability and/or an errors & omissions insurance policy is a must for all home inspection professionals. 

    General liability policies for small businesses are roughly $40 per month, while errors & omissions insurance can set you back approximately $59 per month. To get the best rate and a better idea of what coverage you need, speak with a licensed local insurance agent who has worked with other home inspectors, members of local home inspector trade organizations, or shop for insurers online.

  5. Register Your Business or Join a Multi-Inspector Firm

    After you’ve completed your AHIT Home Inspection Training and passed the NHIE, it’s time to get to work. You can choose to start your own home inspection business (either as a sole proprietor or LLC) and call a tax professional. Or, if you prefer to gain some experience and have a steady flow of leads first, you can look to join an established multi-inspector firm. Regardless, there’s no wrong path to success in the lucrative and exciting world of home inspection.

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Quick Facts:

  • Education isn’t legally required to become a Georgia home inspector, but it’s highly recommended since inspectors are legally obligated to follow certain business practices.

  • Veterans can be reimbursed for taking the National Home Inspector Exam.
  • Each home inspection professional should have a liability and/or errors & omissions insurance policy.
  • Home inspectors can operate independently or join a home inspection firm.

Want To Learn More?

There’s a reason why over 70,000 students have chosen us. Check out the home inspector online course with AHIT and see for yourself. Most packages include books, videos, exercises, practice questions, a certificate of completion & more!

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Learn more about how to become a home inspector, getting your home inspection certification, and the average home inspector salary.

Becoming a Home Inspector in Columbia County, Georgia?

There are a handful of states with specific cities or counties that require different goals to be met on top of the statewide home inspection licensing requirements. For example, Columbia County has different licensing requirements than the state of Georgia. We’ve broken down the steps in a list below to help you understand the process of becoming a home inspector in Columbia County, GA.

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  1. Take a National Home Inspection Course or AHIT’s Online Training Class

    This step is the same as the state’s requirements. We highly recommend you take the 120-hr training course for Georgia, which will teach you what you need to know to pass your exam and be ready to work as a home inspector.

  2. Take and Pass the National Home Inspector Exam

    You will need to take and pass the NHIE, as passing this test is required by Columbia County. The state of Georgia does not require you to take this test in order to become a home inspector, making this requirement one of their biggest differences between the state and the county home inspector licensing process.

  3. Purchase General Liability Insurance and/or Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance

    In Columbia County, you must present proof of workers’ compensation insurance. Each county registrant must carry worker’s compensation insurance on its employees, even if it has less than three employees and is not required to carry such insurance under the State of Georgia Workers’ Compensation statutes.

  4. Become a Member in Good Standing at the American Society of Home Inspectors

    You’ll need to join the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and remain a member in good standing. There are certain codes and ethics that ASHI members adhere to in order to remain members, which makes this requirement an easy way for Columbia County to ensure their home inspectors are staying up to date on the latest practices in the home inspection industry.

  5. Register Your Business or Join a Multi-Inspector Firm

    You’ll need to register your business with the Columbia County Department of Business and Licensing. Also, you’ll need to provide proof of certification from a National Home Inspection Association like the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI).

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Georgia Home Inspector License Requirements

Requirements to Become a Georgia Home Inspector

There are no current requirements for Georgia, however, the County of Columbia does have regulations regarding home inspectors.

  • Exam Required: Depends on certifying body
  • Proof of current certification by the American Society of Home Inspectors or any other national certifying agency for building inspectors
  • Insurance Requirements: Proof of worker’s compensation insurance in amounts as required by the laws of the State of Georgia. Each registrant under this article must carry workers compensation insurance on its employees, even if it has less than three employees and is not required to carry such insurance under the State of Georgia Workers Compensation statutes.

Home Inspection License Expiration: 12/31 every three years

Georgia Home Inspector Continuing Education Requirements

  • 6 hours annually