How to Become a Home Inspector in New Jersey

People view a house as a place of security.

However, it takes habitation to truly transform a house into a home.

Most houses undergo inspections during construction or when significant renovations are required.

Likewise, when homeowners intend to sell their property, the services of a home inspector become essential.

Becoming a home inspector in New Jersey presents relatively few prerequisites, making it an ideal starting point for those interested in this profession.

Home Inspector Job Description in New Jersey

It’s essential to understand that the primary purpose of a home inspection is to uncover any issues the house may harbor.

This differs from a home appraisal, which assesses a property’s value based on various factors.

A New Jersey home inspector conducts assessments on:

• Cooling and heating systems
• Plumbing
• Electrical systems on the property
• The roof
• The foundation of the house
• Any damage caused by fire, water, insects, or other elements

Upon completing the inspection, the inspector must compile a comprehensive report detailing their findings.

This report can significantly influence the property’s appraisal and its potential for a quick sale.

Depending on the age of the house or building, specialized home inspections may be necessary.

These can be inspections for:

• Termites
• Other pests
• Lead
• Asbestos
• Mold
• Mildew
• Radon
• The integrity of the chimneys
• Other elements

These specialized inspections usually incur additional fees.

While there are no specific prerequisites for becoming a home inspector, this profession requires holding a license.

Complete Your Home Inspector Training in New Jersey

Home inspectors in this state are under the jurisdiction of the Home Inspection Advisory Committee, under the State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.

In New Jersey, to attain a home inspector license, candidates must fulfill specific requirements.

One of the key prerequisites is the successful completion of an accredited training program, which consists of 180 hours of instruction delivered in a live class setting.

This comprehensive program includes a crucial component of hands-on learning, with no less than 40 hours dedicated to field-based inspections.

These practical inspections are conducted under the direct supervision of a licensed home inspector and are provided by the educational institution offering the approved training course.

ICA

ICA, short for Inspection Certification Associates, offers an online course for individuals aspiring to become home inspectors in New Jersey.

However, ICA’s training program is not long enough to meet the state’s requirement of 180 hours of classroom education.

Upon completing this course you’ll have to sign up in a different New Jersey state-approved class where you can attend the extra hours required for licensing.

Enrolling at ICA, you’ll also benefit from:

• Drone operation training for roof inspections
• One month membership to InterNACHI
• One-year free access to our membership portal, Edcetera Home Inspection, which normally costs $99

The Home Inspection School of New Jersey

Those who enroll early in the course, receive a discount.

The discounted course fee is $5,800, however, grants and scholarships are accepted.

Veterans also receive a further discount.

The advantages of enrolling in this course include:

• Report Writing training
• Training for Lead Testing, Radon, Mold, Sewer Scopes, Solar Panels, and more
• Mentoring
• Full access to a report-writing software
• Continuing education classes

InterNACHI School

InterNACHI School is a well-known institution for individuals interested in becoming home inspectors.

The school offers free training courses to members of the association, with online classes making them accessible to all.

Furthermore, this organization provides various benefits to its members, including support for marketing and business development.

Passing the Licensing Exam as a Home Inspector in New Jersey

It’s important to note that New Jersey does not have a state-specific licensing exam for home inspectors.

Instead, individuals must pass a national-level exam, which can be conveniently taken online.

However, before attempting the exam, candidates must meet the prerequisites mentioned earlier.

Only then can they register for the National Home Inspector Exam (or NHIE).

This exam comprises 200 questions, with 25 of them not counted towards the score.

The test duration is 4 hours and covers topics such as property and building inspection, site review, analysis of findings and reporting, and professional responsibilities.

The exam fee is approximately $225.

Some individuals can fail the exam and they must wait 30 days until they can retake it.

You will also need to take 40 hours of extra education every 2 years to renew your license.

The expiration date is April 30th and is usually written on the license.

Home Inspector Salary in New Jersey

Prospective home inspectors often wonder about their potential earnings once they embark on this career path.

In this state, you can expect to make $60,663 a year as a home inspector, which is a much higher salary compared to most other states.

Check out the table below to learn more.

Regional Salary in New Jersey

Home Inspector by State