Are you ready to lay the foundation for your Missouri home inspection career and obtain your Missouri home inspector license? Starting a career in home inspection in Missouri can be a fairly quick process, especially when you consider that there are no national prerequisites. While official education is not legally required, it is highly recommended since Missouri home inspectors must follow a specific set of business practices. This 5-step guide will serve as your blueprint to becoming a licensed Missouri home inspector.
What You Should Know Before Becoming A Missouri Home Inspector
The state of Missouri does not require a license to practice home inspection. This can make it significantly easier to become a home inspector, as you do not need to take the time to complete an official class to obtain your license. However, Real Estate Agents, potential employers, and lenders often prefer working with individuals who do hold a home inspector certification because their business relies upon your success. This expertise gives certified home inspectors a critical edge in finding and maintaining their business.
Missouri Home Inspector License Requirements
Missouri is one of the few states that has not yet adopted licensing requirements for home inspectors. With this in mind, you can begin your career in home inspection by studying for the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE).
How To Become A Home Inspector In Missouri: Your 5-step Guide To Receiving Your Missouri Home Inspector License
Step 1: Prepare For Your Career
Although ride-along inspections and official courses are not required to become a Missouri home inspector, there are still many ways in which you can prepare for your career. Completing professional home inspection training from a reputable school is key to understanding relevant business practices and establishing yourself as a trusted expert. Many home inspection agencies and groups favor inspectors who have shown an early commitment to their careers.
Pro Tip:
Before you begin your career in home inspection, it can be prudent to conduct some online research to learn more about the industry. Here at HomeGauge, we have various resources for prospective Missouri home inspectors that can be used to help kickstart a career in home inspection.
Step 2: Register For & Pass The National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE)
Passing the National Home Inspector Exam is the next step in your journey toward earning your Missouri home inspector license. The exam can be registered on the NHIE’s official website and will cost $225. As is the case in many other states, the exam is administered by PSI. Once you pass the exam, you will qualify to join the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), a professional organization that will help you form relationships in the industry and start getting referrals.
Pro Tip:
The National Home Inspector Examination contains 200 multiple-choice questions. Of the 200 questions on the exam, 25 of those are pretest questions that are not scored. You will be given a total of four hours to complete the exam. You can register for the exam online.
Step 3: Purchase Insurance (Optional)
Home inspector’s insurance is optional in Missouri. However, maintaining insurance will help protect your business if a client files a claim or lawsuit. Most Missouri home inspectors purchase at least a basic insurance policy for these reasons. No one is exempt from making mistakes, including home inspectors. Preparing for these possibilities is an important step you need to take for yourself and your business.
Pro Tip:
Although insurance is not required, many local real estate groups and business associations require members to have insurance. Home inspectors usually hold two different types of insurance:
General Liability Insurance
Designed to protect you from claims that cause bodily injury or harm, general liability insurance is often viewed as the baseline coverage for Missouri home inspectors. If a homeowner or other associate is injured during an inspection, you may be liable for damages if you do not have general liability insurance. In a worst-case scenario, you could be liable for a slip and fall claim or reputational harm lawsuit, which can cost more than $50,000. While no homeowner expects to be sued, purchasing a general liability insurance policy to prepare yourself for these cases is often a wise decision.
Errors And Omissions Insurance
Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance is a specialized form of insurance designed to cover losses not covered by general liability insurance.
Step 4: Register Your Business Or Join A Firm
An important decision you must make as you embark on your new journey is how to classify your home inspection practice. You have two choices: you can either register your own business or join an established firm. If you plan on working for yourself, a critical step you cannot miss is registering your business with the State of Missouri and forming a legal entity. A business lawyer can help you with all the necessary steps and paperwork, but the process can also be completed independently if you have the time and patience to do the research yourself.
Pro Tip:
All the legal work has already been done if you plan on joining an established firm. InterNACHI provides a list of established home inspection groups in Missouri.
Step 5: Maintain Your Continuing Education Requirements
Every Missouri home inspector must complete at least 24 hours of continued education annually. Continuing education courses will help you hone your skills in home inspection while you continue practicing. While many companies provide these courses, a few of the most reputable are listed below:
Pro Tip:
Many programs and companies that support preparation for the NHIE also offer courses to help you complete your continued education requirements. We have included a list of some of the best home inspection courses in Missouri at the bottom of this article.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Home Inspector In Missouri?
The lack of license and insurance requirements in Missouri makes it significantly easier to become a home inspector. As long as you are adequately prepared for the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE), you can become a Missouri home inspector whenever you wish.
How Much Does It Cost To Become A Home Inspector In Missouri?
The cost of becoming a Missouri home inspector will depend on a few different choices. Two major factors to consider are courses for the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE) and training. Some board-approved partners who offer qualifying courses offer their education for free for their members, which can be as little as $600, while other partners will offer packages for their education for over $3,500. With cost in mind, it is best that you do your research on all education options and decide which route offers what you are looking for in your new career. You may also have to pay fees if you register your business or join an established Missouri home inspection firm.
What Is The Best Home Inspector Course In Missouri?
While there isn’t one singular school that can be deemed the best home inspector training program in the state, some are more reputable than others. To give you a head start on your education, we’ve listed a few of the most popular and respected programs below:
International Association Of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI)
InterNACHI provides online testing, free training, and certification, in addition to business development and discounts on home inspector needs. To become a member of InterNACHI, Missouri home inspectors must pay either $49 per month or $499 each year.
Inspection Certification Associates (ICA)
In addition to online training courses and exam prep courses, ICA also provides ongoing career support for their Edcetera Home Inspection Members. For more information about their membership and training material, visit their website.
Professional Home Inspection Institute (PHII)
PHII offers multiple courses, marketing resources, and business support for new inspectors and inspectors who have established themselves over the years. Each course is estimated to take 1-2 weeks to complete and will always be accessible to members. Their online home inspector certification course costs $595.
Final Thoughts On Becoming A Home Inspector In Missouri
Those looking to become Missouri home inspectors should follow the above steps to complete their training and begin their careers. While insurance and home inspection education are optional, you may find them necessary to build a clientele and achieve success. With an average yearly salary of $52,000, home inspection is a respectable career in Missouri that offers plenty of opportunities for growth and learning.
As you begin your career as a Missouri home inspector, you should keep the following items in mind:
- The state of Missouri does not require ride-along inspections of classroom training to become a home inspector.
- You must register for and pass the National Home Inspector Exam.
- You can prepare for the exam by researching and taking practice quizzes available on their website.
- Once you are ready to start your practice, you can join an established firm or start your career on your own.
If you’re considering becoming a Missouri home inspector and would like to partner with a company that can provide you with all of the business-related tools you’ll need to complete inspections efficiently, reach customers through marketing efforts, and more, you can contact our team at HomeGauge today or explore our home inspector resources.
FAQs
How hard is it to become a Missouri home inspector?
Compared to other states, Missouri makes it fairly easy to become a home inspector. Missouri home inspectors do not have to complete a required amount of classroom instruction or ride-along inspections. While a state-recognized course is recommended to prepare for the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE), it is not required.
Do you need a license to become a Missouri home inspector?
No, Missouri does not require a license to practice home inspection.
How much do Missouri home inspectors make?
As of the publication of this article, the average yearly income for a Missouri home inspector is $52,000, according to salary data from Indeed.
Disclaimer: The information in this article should be used as a guide and was accurate at the time of publishing. Check with your state authorities for the most up-to-date regulations.