If you are considering a career as a home inspector in Florida, it is essential to be familiar with the licensing requirements set by the state. This comprehensive guide will outline the steps for how to become a licensed home inspector in Florida, ensuring you are well-prepared to begin your new career in the Sunshine State.
Step 1: Meet the Basic Requirements to Become a Florida Home Inspector
Before you can pursue a home inspector license in Florida, you must be at least 18 years old, and you must be in good moral standing. There is no citizenship requirement for licensure in Florida.
How will you demonstrate your good moral character? When submitting your application (see Step 5 below), you will have to undergo a background check and submit fingerprints. These checks ensure that you have no criminal history that would disqualify you from obtaining a home inspector license.
Step 2: Complete an Approved 120-Hour Home Inspection Pre-Licensing Course
Gold Coast School of Construction offers an approved 120-Hour Florida Home Inspection Pre-Licensing Course that is head-and-shoulders above the rest. The class is available on-campus or livestream via Zoom with a live instructor who is an experienced inspector and industry professional.
If you really want to learn how to be a great home inspector, and not just satisfy the 120-hour requirement, this is the course for you.
The instructor will cover topics such as:
- Structure
- Electrical systems
- HVAC systems
- Roof covering
- Plumbing systems
- Interior components
- Exterior components
- Site conditions that affect the structure
The classes are held on consecutive Friday, Saturday, and Sunday sessions from 8:00am –6:00pm. There are four weekends required to complete the course. Gold Coast also offers a fifth weekend that includes the Wind Mitigation Training class, the Exam Prep Workshop, and the On-Campus Proctored State Exam. Application Assistance is also offered, if needed, so this is a one-stop shop for your Florida home inspector license!
Step 3: Obtain the Required Liability Insurance
Before you can obtain your home inspector license, you must secure general liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $300,000. This insurance will protect you from potential financial losses arising from accidents, property damage, or other unforeseen incidents during your work.
Step 4: Pass an Approved State Licensing Exam
After completing the 120-hour pre-licensing course, you will need to pass an approved state examination. There are multiple options in Florida for state-approved exam providers. Gold Coast School of Construction offers an open-book, Florida-specific exam, consisting of multiple-choice questions that test your knowledge of home inspection principles and practices.
Types of Florida Home Inspector Exams
You can choose to take any of these exams:
- InterNACHI Florida Home Inspector Licensing Exam – This exam has 120 questions and you will have 1 hour to complete it. Every attempt at this exam costs $125 and can be taken at one of their proctored locations.
- Florida Association of Building Inspectors (FABI) – This exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and you should use their specific textbook to study, Principles of Home Inspection: Systems and Standards 3rd Ed. Update. You will have 2 hours to finish the exam which costs $200 with each attempt. This is an in-person exam.
- National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE) – This exam costs about $225 depending on where you live and is made up of 200 multiple-choice questions, 25 of which are practice questions that won’t count toward your score. You will have 4 hours to finish this exam.
- Association of Construction Industry’s Certified Home & Property Inspector Exam (CI-HPI) – This exam costs $250 for in-person and $150 for online. ACICP has not released the number of test questions on its exam but it does note that test takes will have 2 hours to complete it.
Step 5: Submit Your Application
Once you have met the education, insurance, and examination requirements, you can submit your application for a home inspector license to the Florida DBPR. The application process includes:
- Filling out the required application form
- Providing proof of your completed pre-licensing course
- Attesting that you have obtained general liability insurance
- Submitting a copy of your exam results
- Paying the application fee
- Obtaining a background check and fingerprints
If you would like to have your application done by a professional, Gold Coast School of Construction has a dedicated Application Services Team that can help.
Step 6: Maintain and Renew Your Florida Home Inspector License
Once you receive your Florida home inspector license, you must meet certain requirements to maintain and renew it. Licenses must be renewed every two years, and during each renewal period, you will need to complete 14 hours of continuing education from an approved provider.
Gold Coast School of Construction has state-approved Florida home inspector continuing education programs that will satisfy this requirement. Additionally, you must maintain your general liability insurance coverage while your license is active.
Overview: How to Become a Home Inspector
Becoming a licensed home inspector in Florida involves meeting specific education, examination, and insurance requirements, as well as demonstrating good moral character. By following these guidelines and completing each step in the process, you will be well on your way to a rewarding career as a home inspector in the Sunshine State.
Remember, staying current with industry developments and continuing your education will help ensure your success and maintain your professional standing in this ever-evolving field.
If you are ready to get that license, contact Gold Coast School of Construction today!
Written by Chris Clausing. Chris Clausing is the Program Director for Gold Coast School of Construction and Curriculum and Program Innovation for Colibri Group’s Construction Education Ecosystem. Chris is a Certified General Contractor (CGC1515171) in the State of Florida with over 20 years of experience in the Construction and Inspection industries. Chris also sits as a Consensus Committee Member for the IECC helping shape the energy codes of the future as well as a LEED GA. If you have any questions, please reach out to Chris directly at Contractor@GoldCoastSchools.com.