California Home Inspector Certification/Licensing Requirements - Home Inspector Training

In California, there is no state licensing of home inspectors; however, there are rules as explained below. Therefore, you want to make sure you have good training to learn how to properly perform home inspections. We recommend our 60-Hour Residential Home Inspection Package which includes:

The 12-Volume DVD set showing you close to 2000 scenes of real defects from actual homes.
The 500-page manual with over 350 line diagrams, hands-on inspection procedures, marketing ideas, and more.
The 2-DVD Virtual Inspection set (regular price $100).
Complimentary membership in NAHI (National Association of Home Inspectors, established in 1987).
As a Special Bonus, we include the Residential Inspection Forms on CD at no extra cost. Most companies charge $300 to $900 for inspection forms.

You get all of this for only $499 + $15 S&H.

We'll throw in the 11-DVD "Live" Classroom on DVD Set for only $100 more.

Extended Hours:
Or call 1-888-466-4677 Monday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. California time, or email: info@hometraining.com

For more information on these courses, click on the above links or see our webpage at www.hometraining.com

Analysis - California Home Inspector/Inspection Law/Statute – This opinion/analysis information is not to be treated as legal advice. Please contact an attorney if you have legal questions.

Some important provisions in the law found in the California home inspector law located in Division 3. Professions And Vocations Generally, Chapter 9.3, Home Inspectors, Sections 7195 et. seq. of the California Business and Professions Code as well as Chapter 9.4, Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Home Inspections of the same Division (Source: Senate Bill 258, 1996 legislative session, eff. January 1, 1997):

7195. For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:
(a) (1) "Home inspection" is a noninvasive, physical examination, performed for a fee in connection with a transfer, as defined in subdivision (e), of real property, of the mechanical, electrical, or plumbing systems or the structural and essential components of a residential dwelling of one to four units designed to identify material defects in those systems, structures and components. "Home inspection" includes any consultation regarding the property that is represented to be a home inspection or any confusingly similar term.
(2) "Home inspection," if requested by the client, may include an inspection of energy efficiency …

7196.1. (b) This chapter does not apply to a registered engineer, licensed land surveyor, or licensed architect acting pursuant to his or her professional registration or license …

Comment: This excerpt explains which categories of those licensed in other occupations are exempt from this law.

7197. (a) It is an unfair business practice for a home inspector, a company that employs the inspector, or a company that is controlled by a company that also has a financial interest in a company employing a home inspector, to do any of the following:
   (1) To perform or offer to perform, for an additional fee, any repairs to a structure on which the inspector, or the inspector's company, has prepared a home inspection report in the past 12 months.
   (2) Inspect for a fee any property in which the inspector, or the inspector's company, has any financial interest or any interest in the transfer of the property.
   (3) To offer or deliver any compensation, inducement, or reward to the owner of the inspected property, the broker, or agent, for the referral of any business to the inspector or the inspection company.
   (4) Accept an engagement to make an inspection or to prepare a report in which the employment itself or the fee payable for the inspection is contingent upon the conclusions in the report, preestablished findings, or the close of escrow.
   (5) A home protection company that is affiliated with or that retains the home inspector does not violate this section if it performs repairs pursuant to claims made under the home protection contract.
   (b) This section shall not affect the ability of a structural pest control operator to perform repairs pursuant to Section 8505 as a result of a structural pest control inspection.

Comment: This excerpt explains which practices are prohibited such as working on a property you are inspecting (except for home protection companies performing repairs based on a claim), inspecting a property you have a financial interest in, giving kickbacks/rewards to real estate agents and others in exchange for referrals, accepting an arrangement where the choice of the inspector or payment of the inspection fee is contingent on the report containing any predetermined content or on the close of escrow on the home. This last prohibition could be interpreted to mean that a home inspector cannot agree to wait to be paid until the house “closes” at the mortgage company.

Comments: These sections explain the conditions under which a home inspector can also conduct an energy evaluation of the home.

A Better School of Building Inspection, P.O. Box 1986, Salt Lake City, UT 84110.

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