In most states, home inspector certifications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, meaning you can become a home inspector for a serious crime as long as you meet the requirements. People who have committed certain serious crimes cannot obtain a license for life. Those who have been convicted of certain serious or minor crimes must wait until they have completed a period of disqualification before applying for a license. However, before you get certified, you will undergo a background check and, if you're not careful, your license may be refused.
But if you play your cards right, you can still become a home inspector for a serious crime. Home inspectors are their own boss. Depending on whether you work independently or in a company, you can reject, schedule and perform inspections at your discretion, making home inspection an ideal part-time job. But it's not all fun and games.
Becoming a part-time home inspector requires strong training and experience. That's where ATI's award-winning home inspector training comes in; get trained, work for yourself, and enjoy the benefits of part-time work when you train with ATI. You will need to complete a 120-hour home inspection course prior to obtaining a license and pass a state-approved exam. There are no educational or experience requirements. You will then need to submit a complete application to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) under the authority of the Florida Home Inspector Licensing Board. A minimum of 84 hours of pre-licensing training is required, as well as experience requirements (30 parallel home inspections for an “inspector in training” license and 100 home inspections for a home inspector license).
As long as they meet all other requirements, most candidates for home inspectors can get a conviction for a serious crime. Home inspectors in Nevada are regulated by the Nevada Real Estate Division of the Department of Business and Industry. A felony conviction will almost always prevent someone from obtaining a home inspector's license, as this is considered a serious crime. Any conviction related to fraud or deception is also likely to prevent someone from obtaining a home inspector's license.
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation requires a license to work as a home inspector. The next step in obtaining your Florida home inspector license is to submit your application to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The state of Florida requires that all applicants for a home inspector's license undergo a criminal background check. As an independent home inspector entering the field from scratch, the barriers to entry are much lower than those of a franchise. For the best rate, talk to a local licensed insurance agent who works with other home inspectors.
Washington State home inspectors must be licensed by the Washington State Licensing Department. The state has a rule that, to be a home inspector, a person must be a member of a non-profit organization. Home inspectors are regulated by the state of Wisconsin, through the Department of Safety and Professional Services. In the state of Florida, licensed home inspectors must renew their license every two years and complete 14 hours of approved continuing education, including the requirement for 2 hours of wind mitigation. By 2026, experts predict that the home inspection business will continue to grow above the national average; homes will sell faster and buyers will be younger, allowing you to repeat business in the future, meaning that, once you become a home inspector, you'll have job security for life.
If you meet all the other requirements, you may be able to become a home inspector for a serious crime, as long as you meet some of them in your state.
