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Most people view a house as a secure haven, but it truly becomes a home when it’s inhabited.
The majority of homes undergo inspection during their construction or when extensive renovations are needed.
Homeowners also enlist the services of a home inspector when they decide to sell their property.
Becoming a home inspector in North Carolina doesn’t entail many prerequisites, making it an opportune time to explore this profession.
Article Table of Contents
- 1 Home Inspector Job Description in North Carolina
- 2 Completing Your Home Inspector Training in North Carolina
- 3 Passing the Home Inspector Licensing Exam in North Carolina
- 4 Background Check for Home Inspectors in North Carolina
- 5 Insurance as a Home Inspector in North Carolina
- 6 Home Inspector Salary in North Carolina
- 7 Frequently Asked Questions
Home Inspector Job Description in North Carolina
It’s essential to differentiate between a home inspection and a home appraisal.
A home inspection aims to uncover any potential issues within the house, whereas a home appraisal determines the property’s value based on various factors.
A certified home inspector in North Carolina evaluates:
- The functionality of heating and cooling systems.
- The integrity of plumbing.
- The electrical system.
- The condition of the roof.
- The stability of the foundation.
- Any damage caused by fire, water, insects,
- Other elements.
Following the inspection, a comprehensive report is compiled, which can significantly impact the property’s appraisal and the speed of its sale.
Depending on the age of the property or building, a specialized home inspection may be necessary.
This involves assessments for termites, pests, lead, asbestos, mold, radon, chimneys, and other elements, often incurring additional fees.
While there aren’t stringent prerequisites for becoming a home inspector, licensure is mandatory.
Completing Your Home Inspector Training in North Carolina
In North Carolina, home inspectors work according to The North Carolina Home Inspection Licensure Act that the Home Inspector Licensure Board set forth.
This Act mandates candidates to complete a 120-hour training course dedicated to home inspection.
You also need to have a practical training of 80 hours during which you participated in a minimum of 10 site visits.
Let’s see where can you attend an appropriate training program.
Inspection Certification Associates (ICA)
This institution offers an online course for $695.
This course includes the 120 hours of theory needed for licensure.
The site training is offered for an additional fee of $1,300.
Candidates can attend the field training either before, after, or even at the same time with the theory classes.
Students will have access to the material that will fully prepare them to pass the state’s licensure exam.
The value of this study material is $399.
This material can be completed at one’s own pace or by attending the live webinars that have a duration of 2 days.
InterNACHI School
InterNACHI has the following to offer to those choosing this institution:
- A 120-hour online pre-licensing course
- An 80-hour field training course
- A 120-hour in-person class
The 80 hours are made available with the help of the InterNACHI partner schools.
The InterNACHI members have free access to everything this organization has to offer.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| ICA | online |
| InterNACHI | online |
Passing the Home Inspector Licensing Exam in North Carolina
In North Carolina, candidates for the home inspector license must pass the North Carolina State Home Inspection Exam.
They need to pay $80 for this test.
The exam is organized at the North Carolina Department of Insurance in Raleigh, several times a year.
Candidates can also choose to pass the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE).
This exam comprises 200 questions, including 25 unscored ones, and has a duration of 4 hours.
It covers topics such as property and building inspection, site review, analysis of findings, reporting, and professional responsibilities.
The exam fee is approximately $225, varying by location.
If candidates do not pass, they must wait 30 days before retaking the exam.
Background Check for Home Inspectors in North Carolina
According to the Home Inspector Licensure Board, future home inspectors in this state must pass a background check.
Candidates can use several institutions for this purpose.
Here’s a brief list of the available options:
- North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI)
- U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- CriminalRecordCheck.com
- CastleBranch.com
Fingerprinting might be needed for this process, as well as paying additional fees.
Insurance as a Home Inspector in North Carolina
Home inspectors in North Carolina are required to have insurance coverage while practicing.
Two types of insurance are mandatory.
One of these is a General Liability policy of at least $250,000.
The other one can be chosen from the following options:
- Own assets that total a value between $5,000 and $10,000
- It can’t be owned by a bank and it will be evaluated by the board)
- A surety bond between $5,000 and $10,000
- A sum also determined by the board
- An errors and omissions insurance policy that covers at least $250,000
After completing all these steps, candidates can submit their license application.
This is easily done on the North Carolina Department of Insurance website.
You should expect to have to pay these fees too:
- $35 for the application
- $165 for the license, if accepted
Licensed individuals have to complete 12 hours per year to keep their license.
Home Inspector Salary in North Carolina
It’s customary to inquire about potential earnings when investing time and effort into a career that requires training and examinations.
In North Carolina, the median salary for a home inspector is around $52,899 annually.
For further insight, let’s examine median salary figures in cities across the state.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alexis | $54,051 |
| Cherryville | $53,923 |
| Charlotte | $53,829 |
| Drexel | $53,665 |
| Youngsville | $53,478 |
| Battleboro | $53,324 |
| Earl | $53,118 |
| Concord | $52,830 |
| Albemarle | $52,444 |
| Dover | $51,847 |
Regional Salary in North Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 180 | $58,450 | $28.1 | $75,900 | $41,820 |
| Burlington, NC | 30 | $56,530 | $27.18 | $69,410 | $45,010 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 1,670 | $64,920 | $31.21 | $84,820 | $39,450 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 250 | $64,260 | $30.89 | $80,350 | $43,690 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 170 | $59,180 | $28.45 | $89,560 | $40,940 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 370 | $61,240 | $29.44 | $81,790 | $41,770 |
| Greenville, NC | 50 | $58,200 | $27.98 | $74,880 | $39,980 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 30 | $53,230 | $25.59 | $67,740 | $37,140 |
| Jacksonville, NC | 40 | $52,690 | $25.33 | $71,410 | $35,840 |
| New Bern, NC | 60 | $59,140 | $28.44 | $71,370 | $43,140 |
| Raleigh, NC | 1,110 | $63,390 | $30.48 | $84,920 | $38,960 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 30 | $59,640 | $28.67 | $72,760 | $39,310 |
| Wilmington, NC | 120 | $65,930 | $31.7 | $95,740 | $40,140 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 150 | $58,850 | $28.3 | $76,260 | $44,140 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What skills are needed for a home inspector in North Carolina?
Here are the most useful skills for this occupation:
- Interpersonal Skills
- A Working Knowledge of Construction
- Self-Motivation
- Attention to details
What other requirements are there to become a home inspector in North Carolina?
The minimum requirements to become a home inspector in this state are:
- No minimum age
- High school diploma or GED
- A personal insurance policy
- Passing a background check based on fingerprints
- A legal US resident
Can I work as a freelance home inspector in North Carolina?
The short answer is yes.
You can work on your own, open your own home inspection firm either as a sole proprietor or LLC, or become an employee of an already established firm.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Home Inspector
Home Inspector by State