1. Complete a West Virginia-Approved 80-Hour Home Inspection Course

The West Virginia Office of the State Fire Marshal mandates that all home inspectors must be certified. The first step in obtaining a West Virginia Home Inspector Certification is completing the required 80-hour state-approved home inspection course. Taking home inspection licensing courses will prepare you to face the real-world challenges that licensed home inspectors typically encounter and help you master the topics found on the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE).

2. Complete a Criminal Background Check With Fingerprints From the West Virginia State Police & the FBI

The West Virginia State Fire Marshal Office (WVSFMO) requires that applicants consent to a criminal history record check with fingerprinting from the state police and the FBI. It’s also important to note that the WVSFMO does not process fingerprint cards.

To complete your background check and process your fingerprinting, you will need to use a third-party vendor such as IdentoGO for the checks. Results will be sent directly to you, and you will then send your results in with the application form.

3. Pass the National Home Inspector Exam

After completing your home inspector courses, the next step in establishing yourself as a trusted expert is passing the National Home Inspector Exam. The exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions (25 of which are not scored) covering three major domains, or sections, that every home inspector should know. Those domains are:

• Property and Building Inspection/Site Review
• Analysis of Findings and Reporting
• Professional Responsibilities

Test takers are given 4 hours to complete the exam, and each attempt costs roughly $225 (depending on your location). Due to the unignorable cost of taking the exam, we highly recommend taking an Exam Prep course to greatly increase your chances of passing on the first try. If an individual does not pass, they must wait 30 days before taking the exam again.

4. Provide Proof of General Liability Insurance of at Least $250,000

Making mistakes is a part of human nature, and it happens to the best of us. To protect yourself and your livelihood from career-ending lawsuits, taking out a general liability and/or an errors & omissions insurance policy is a must for all home inspection professionals.

General liability policies for small businesses are roughly $40 per month, while errors & omissions insurance can set you back approximately $59 per month. To get the best rate and a better idea of what coverage you need, speak with a licensed local insurance agent who has worked with other home inspectors, members of local home inspector trade organizations, or shop for insurers online

5. Apply for Your West Virginia Business License

According to the West Virginia State Tax Department, “every individual or business entity must obtain a West Virginia business registration certificate [before engaging in business activity in West Virginia].”

You can apply for your West Virginia business license online here. Please note that you’ll be required to pay a $30 registration tax when sending in your application.

5. Submit Your Home Inspector License Application, Proof of Your Diploma/GED, Proof of Your West Virginia Business License, & a $150 Fee to the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office

Provide a copy of your Diploma or GED, a copy of your West Virginia business license, and pay the $150 application fee listed on the state application form to become a certified home inspector in West Virginia.