If you’re thinking about becoming a home inspector, you’re not alone. This career path is growing quickly, attracting interest from current real estate professionals and those looking to enter the industry for the first time. Home inspectors play a key role in helping homebuyers purchase a new home by uncovering issues that can cost them – now or in the future. If you enjoy working with your hands, and aren’t too keen on working in the sales side of real estate – becoming a home inspector just may be the right choice for you.
Before you can start pointing out those loose roof shingles or foundation cracks, you’ll need to get training and a state license. Finding the right home inspector training school is the first step in launching your new career. From flexible online courses to hands-on training out in the field, we’ll walk you through the six best home inspection training schools we recommend. Let’s get started.
American Home Inspection Training by The CE Shop (AHIT): Best for real-world application and career mentorship
American Home Inspectors Training by The CE Shop (AHIT) has built a reputation for providing extensive home inspector training that combines the technical knowledge you need to pass the exam with practical business skills you’ll be able to apply in the field. Whether you’re starting your career in real estate from scratch or you’re looking to grow your expertise, their programs are designed to help you succeed as a small business owner.
AHIT focuses on the real-world application of topics and covers all the essentials of home inspection, coupled with business development strategies to help you hit the ground running once you obtain your license. As an added bonus, AHIT offers lifetime instructor support and career mentorship to all of its students. This means you’ll always have the support you need, even after you complete your program.
Pros & Cons
Offers online, live virtual and in-person course options
Lifetime course access and instructor support
Includes business and marketing resources
Extensive exam prep materials
In-person training is not available in all locations
Starting price in some states can be pricey
Self-paced courses offer limited interaction with instructors
No mobile app available for online learning
Features
Course availability: Nationwide course availability; except Nevada and New Jersey
Course formats: Online, live virtual classroom and in-person
Course access: Lifetime access to course materials
Refund policy: Full refund available within 30 days of course purchase if less than 50% complete; five-day free trial included
Guarantees: No guarantee available
Exam prep: Includes exam prep with study guides and practice questions
Student support: Lifetime access to instructor support, with customer support limited to normal business hours Monday through Friday
Final exam: No course final exam specified
Pricing
AHIT offers several course packages to choose from, ranging in price depending on the state of licensing.
Starter ($699): State-specific home inspection course and exam prep
Advanced ($899): Includes everything in the starter package, plus two National Home Inspection Exam (NHIE) Prep eTextbooks from the Exam Creators
Expert ($1,399): Includes everything in the advanced package, plus online mold and commercial certifications
Inspection Certification Associates (ICA): Best for online courses with field training
Inspection Certification Associates (ICA) offers an all-inclusive approach to completing your home inspection training. Their programs are fully online and self-paced, which allows you to complete courses in your own time without having to worry about deadlines. The best part? If your state requires field training hours, you can choose a package to get it all done at once.
ICA is committed to your success and provides lifetime access to all your course materials and a library of resources that will be at your disposal when you need them the most. They also include home inspection report software, ongoing business development support, as well as mold, radon and thermal imaging certifications, so you’ll be able to stand out in the market as soon as you get your license. ICA ensures you have all the tools you’ll need to succeed from the first day of class to your first day on the job.
Pros & Cons
Fully online and self-paced
All-inclusive pricing
Includes bonus specialty courses
Compatible with most mobile devices
Home inspection report writing software included
No in-person or live virtual course options
Limited instructor interactions
Packages that include field training can be expensive
CE courses only available in select states
Features
Course availability: Available in most states
Course formats: Fully online and self-paced
Course access: Lifetime access to all course materials
Refund policy: After five business days, all sales are final, and no refunds will be provided
Guarantees: No pass or don’t pay guarantee
Exam prep: Includes practice test and extensive exam prep materials
Student support: Ongoing support is offered after course completion
Final exam: No course final exam specified
Pricing
ICA offers several course packages from just the foundations to the elite experience. Their pricing is competitive with other top providers in the nation.
Foundation ($695): Online home inspection certification course with exam prep and lifetime access and support included
Premier ($995): Foundation package plus one year access to ICA 360, which includes over 40 hours of home inspection video footage, podcasts, webinars and more
Elite ($1,395): Premier package plus radon and mold certification courses, one year of InterNACHI membership, and an ICA Premier Inspector digital badge.
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNachi): Best for learning resources and professional designations
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) is the largest professional organization for home inspectors. They are known for their large variety of membership benefits, including online education, professional certifications and ongoing support for all home inspector members. Their Certified Professional Inspector (CPI) program allows you to gain the credentials you need to build trust with clients and stand out in competitive markets.
One of InterNACHI’s most unique features is a hands-on training facility full of home defects. They call it the “House of Horrors,” and it is designed to give members a look at some of the most common defects in a real-life scenario. While most of their education is online, these unique facilities and specialized workshops allow students to gain practical experience instead of just learning from a textbook. Plus, members can enjoy over 1,000 hours of free continuing education as part of their membership benefits.
Pros & Cons
Affordable membership pricing
Over 1,000 hours of CE courses available
Extensive professional development resources available
Hands-on learning opportunities available
CPI designation included with membership
Benefits apply to members only
Most training is self-paced and online
Workshops and in-person training is limited
No instructor support
No interactive online study group support
Features
Course availability: Nationwide and internationally recognized program
Course formats: Online with optional hands-on workshops offered
Course access: Unlimited access with membership
Refund policy: No refunds, memberships can be cancelled at any time
Guarantees: No pass guarantees offered
Exam prep: Includes exam prep and certification resources
Student support: Access to mentors and instructor-led webinars
Final exam: Only required for the CPI designation
Pricing
InterNACHI courses are only available with a paid membership. The membership then unlocks all the member benefits that you can start using immediately.
Monthly membership fee ($49): InterNACHI allows you the option to pay monthly at $49 per month.
Annual membership fee ($499): The annual option saves you the hassle of a monthly payment and provides a small discount for paying upfront. Membership must be renewed each year to keep member benefits.
ATI Training Home Inspection Institute: Best for in-person and virtual classroom courses
ATI Training combines technical instruction with everyday business practices to create a well-rounded approach to home inspector training. Their programs not only prepare you to pass your licensing exam, but also focus on helping you succeed once you’re out in the field. ATI’s online, live virtual and in-person classroom learning options make it easy to find a course that fits your schedule and style of learning.
ATI emphasizes building a profitable home inspection business right from the start. Not only will you receive comprehensive prelicensing education, but you’ll also have lifetime access to marketing resources and business coaching. If you’re looking for a school that will help you feel confident about running your own business, ATI has what you need to fast-track your career.
Pros & Cons
Online, live virtual and in-person training options
Business development and coaching
Interactive study tools with practice exams
Instructor support provided
Six months of reporting software plus one year of InterNACHI included
Higher price point amongst online study programs
In-person learning not available in all areas
No live chat or 24/7 customer support
No interactive study groups
Features
Course availability: Available in most states with state-approved options
Course formats: Online, live virtual and in-person learning formats
Course access: Lifetime access to course material and resources
Refund policy: A full refund will be provided if at least 14-day notice is given prior to the start of the course. A $150 cancellation fee will be charged if your cancellation notice is received at least four business days prior to the start of the course. If less than four business days notice is given for cancellation, full course tuition is due.
Guarantees: Exam Pass Guarantee; if you don’t pass the first time, ATI will cover the cost of the second exam
Exam prep: Includes practice exams and interactive study resources
Student support: Instructor access and business coaching available
Final exam: No course final exam specified
Pricing
ATI’s prelicensing course prices vary depending on the type of learning format, with higher-priced packages for live or in-person formats.
Anytime Online ($695): Learn online at any time, from anywhere
Interactive Classroom ($1,995): Live virtual classes via Zoom
Live Classroom ($3,495): In-person learning available in NY, TX and WA
Kaplan: Best for self-paced courses with instructor support
Kaplan is a highly recognized name in real estate education, and their home inspector training school holds the same reputation for high-quality learning in an online, self-paced format. Their courses are designed for independent learners and allow you to study when it’s most convenient for you. Students receive expert instruction through video-based and interactive content. Kaplan’s curriculum is easy to navigate and includes everything you need to succeed.
Kaplan also offers exam prep tools included in each package, so you’ll be ready for test day. Each course includes detailed course materials, practice exams, study guides and more. While their course packages are geared more towards learning than business development, it’s still a top choice for mastering the technical skills needed to become a successful and knowledgeable home inspector with instructor support every step of the way.
Pros & Cons
Online, self-paced learning
High-quality video instruction
Detailed study guides and practice exams included
Reputable and trusted educational provider
Instructor support
No live virtual or in-person options
No pass guarantee
Video packages can be pricey compared to other providers
Limited interactive or hands-on learning opportunities
No business or marketing support
Features
Course availability: State-specific courses available where licensing is required
Course formats: Fully online and self-paced learning
Course access: Six months from the date of purchase. Extended access offered in some packages up to 18 months
Refund policy: Full refund within 30 days of purchase if the course has not been completed
Guarantees: No pass guarantee
Exam prep: Included in course packages
Student support: Limited support; mostly self-guided with access to instructors
Final exam: No course final exam specified
Pricing
Kaplan offers two self-paced training options to fit your learning style. Choose from either the home study course with text-based materials or the video course led by expert instructors.
Home Study ($179): Complete courses when it’s convenient for you; textbook-based format
Online Video ($799): Includes multiple video segments featuring expert instructors, plus text-based content to help reinforce concepts
McKissock Learning: Best for continuing education
McKissock Learning is a well-known name in real estate education that offers specialized courses for home inspectors. While they don’t currently have a full prelicensing course, they do have an extended library of continuing education (CE) courses from technical inspection skills to building your business. Their courses are fully online and self-paced, with the option to take individual courses or an eight-hour elective package to satisfy your CE requirements after licensing.
McKissock’s easy-to-use platform is designed for busy professionals who need to balance their education with everyday life. Their CE courses provide the opportunity to sharpen your skills and stay competitive in your market. If you’re looking for an educational partner to provide ongoing support through your career, with the added bonus of affordable rates, McKissock is a great partner for your career growth.
Pros & Cons
Wide range of CE and professional development courses
Fully online and self-paced
Courses count for licensing and CE credit
Trusted name in real estate education
Offers specialized courses to grow your business
No prelicensing course packages
Limited hands-on learning opportunities
No live, instructor-led courses
Limited exam prep tools
Basic course content compared to other providers
Features
Course availability: Continuing education and business development only
Course formats: Fully online, self-paced
Course access: Six months from the date of purchase
Refund policy: 30 days from the date of purchase
Guarantees: No guarantees offered on CE or business development courses
Exam prep: No exams necessary for CE
Student support: Available seven days a week via email or phone
Final exam: No course final exam specified
Pricing
McKissock offers CE and business development courses starting at $15 for individual courses. CE packages are available for an additional cost.
Continuing Education ($15): Individual CE courses available
CE Packages ($79): Starting price is for an eight-hour course package; pricing varies depending on state CE requirements
Additional packages of online, pre-selected courses that include a state certificate and 6 months of course access, from:
American Society of Home Inspectors Packages ($189)
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors Packages ($219)
California Real Estate Inspection Association Packages ($189)
Methodology: How we chose the best home inspector training programs
To find the best home inspector training programs, we evaluated dozens of home inspection schools, reviewing both online and in-person programs. Our real estate experts possess in-depth knowledge of online courses and have assessed home inspector licensing schools based on pricing, course packages, course materials, teaching styles, online user experience, exam success rates, customer reviews and more.
The best home inspection training schools on our list are not only widely available in the area — they offer economies of scale that make their course packages affordable — using tech that makes their online courses way more convenient than having to commute to attend in-person classes at a brick-and-mortar location. Unlike your local school, they have the scale to invest in leading-edge technology that makes getting prepped for your state licensing exam a snap.
Don’t believe us? Check out our real estate education page for more information about getting licensed and the best real estate schools available in your state. We recommend the schools on this list for their convenience, value for money, excellence in course materials and thoughtful user experience.
FAQs: Best home inspector training programs for 2025
What is required to become a home inspector?
Most states have requirements for becoming a licensed home inspector. You’ll need to complete a training program that meets your state’s licensing requirements, which makes you eligible to sit for the state licensing exam. Your state may have additional requirements to obtain your license, so make sure you check with your state’s licensing board to complete any background checks or field training hours.
After you get started, most states will also require you to maintain that license by taking renewal or continuing education courses every year. You’ll want to check with your state’s licensing board to confirm that you need the minimum requirements and if there are any actions you need to take to obtain or maintain your license.
How long does it take to become a licensed home inspector?
The timeframe it takes to become a licensed home inspector will depend on your state’s licensing requirements and how quickly you can complete your training. Some programs can be finished in just a few weeks, while others may take several months if field training hours are required. On average, most people can become certified within two to six months.
Do home inspectors make good money?
Yes, home inspectors can earn a pretty good income, especially as they gain experience and build their reputation. According to ATI Training, home inspectors make around $78,900 per year, with experienced, full-time inspectors making well over six figures. Your income potential really depends on the market you serve, how many inspections you complete, and whether you run your own business.
The full picture: Home inspector training programs
Starting a new career as a home inspector can be exciting and scary at the same time. The right home inspector training program won’t just help you pass your exam – it will help shape your success down the road. Each provider offers something a little different from another, so be sure to select a program that will set you up for success. With the right school and support behind you, you’ll gain the skills and confidence you need to launch your new career and make a real impact on the homebuying process.
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