Home Inspector Certifications Equal
Home Buyer Peace of Mind

When selecting a home inspection company, make it a point to ask about home inspector certifications. As the home inspection industry has developed, many existing home inspectors have learned the trade through trial and error. While experience is always an important part of any inspector’s credentials, you also want a home inspector that has comprehensive training as well as access to the latest reference materials.

Many home inspectors, in pursuit of continuing their education and staying current, may get certified by a home inspector certification program such as The National Institute of Building Inspectors (NIBI). To become a certified NIBI member, inspectors not only must have a sufficient amount of field experience, but must also participate in NIBI’s training or an equivalent training program, pass the initial NIBI exam and maintain errors and omissions insurance. NIBI is the only home inspector certification program that requires such professional liability insurance. NIBI inspectors must also re-certify each year by passing an annual exam to ensure they are current on basic principles of home inspections, as well as changes or new issues that develop within the residential or light commercial inspection industry.

To further expand their knowledge, some home inspectors may also participate in industry trade associations. In addition to providing access to current educational materials, such associations can also provide a source of camaraderie for home inspectors and a place to exchange best practices . When selecting a home inspector, however, don’t settle for a long list of trade association memberships. Be sure to inquire about the details of the inspector’s certification program so you can be certain that they are up-to-date with the latest inspection practices. If the home inspector you contact has experience, but is not certified, continue to shop around. By not compromising on your home inspector selection, you can ensure a more thorough and more accurate inspection and can be more confident in your purchase.