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How to Become a Home Inspector in North Carolina?

Frequently Asked Questions for Prospective Pre-Licensing Students Interested in Becoming Licensed Home Inspectors

• How much do home inspectors make per home inspection in North Carolina?

The average home inspection cost between $300.00 and $700.00 The fee can be more or less depending on the size of the home and if the client request additional services.

Additional services, such as performing a Radon Inspection, can add $75-$150 to your inspection fee per service.

• What is the average salary for a home inspector  in North Carolina?

A full-time home inspector in North Carolina earns between $60,000 and $80,000 per year.

• How long does it take to start earning money as a new home inspector?

Based on a 2019 survey by Gregory Enterprises: The Home Inspection Training Center of 75 new home inspectors

  • After 1 to 3 months new inspectors reported they were able to schedule 1- 3 inspections a week or to start earning $300 to $900 per week.

  • After 3 to 6 months new inspectors reported they were able to schedule 3 to 5 inspections a week or to earn $900 to $1500 per week.


 

The Home Inspection Training Center is your pathway to Professional Grade Certifications through Inspector Nation

• How much does it cost to become a home inspector?

North Carolina has 3 basic fees prior to licensing and one fee after you pass their examination.

  • Application fee is $35.00

  • Examination Fee is $80.00

  • Licensure Fee is $160.00

• How long does it take to become a home inspector?

It typically takes between 4 to 6 weeks to become a home inspector in North Carolina.

• What are the requirements to become a home inspector in North Carolina?

To be eligible to be licensed as a home inspector, an applicant must do all of the following: (1) Submit a completed application to the Board upon a form provided by the Board to prove education or experience. (2) Pass a licensing examination prescribed by the Board

• What education or experience is required for the North Carolina Home Inspection Licensure Application?

Meet one of the following three conditions:

  • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent and satisfactorily complete a pre-licensing education program approved by the Board. Please note that Gregory Enterprises: The Home Inspection Training School is the only fully owned North Carolina Training Program.

  • Have education and experience the Board considers to be equivalent to that required by subdivision a.

  • Be licensed for at least six months as a general contractor, as an architect, or as a professional engineer

• Are there financial requirements associated with home inspection licensure in North Carolina?

North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure Board does not have a requirement for minimum assets like other Boards such as the General contractor board. However, your personal assets can be used to meet the insurance requirements.

  • Every Home Inspector in North Carolina must have 250 thousand dollars in general liability insurance and one of the following:

  • $5000.00 in net worth or

  • $5000.00 bond or

  • 250 thousand dollars in Errors and Omission Insurance

• Does the North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure Board request a background check before you can be a home inspector?

North Carolina does not request a background check, but they do ask for information regarding any past felony or misdemeanor of tort. The State of North Carolina does not allow any Board to deny licensure based on past criminal charges without a review process. We have worked with the North Carolina Home Inspection Licensure Board since it was started in 1994, and we can help you with a pre-application and necessary steps to work toward home inspection licensure if you have past concerns.

• How old do you have to be to become a home inspector in North Carolina?

North Carolina does not have an age requirement, but you will need to have graduated high school or have your GED as one of the Educational Requirement

• Does North Carolina charge a fee to submit an application?

Yes, North Carolina has 3 basic fees prior to licensing and one fee after you pass their examination.

  • Application fee is $35.00

  • Examination Fee is $80.00

  • Licensure Fee is $160.00


 

• Does Gregory Enterprises offer Military Discounts?

As an established school, Gregory Enterprises is able to qualify for several VA sponsored programs that most training companies would be ineligible for. Yes. We offer military discounts, but you may be eligible for 100% coverage depending on you and your benefits.

• I have been out of the military service for 10 years and hold a disability rating. Are you aware of any military programs that I might qualify for?

Yes, there are several programs that you may benefit from. Please give us a call and let us help you get started. (336) 350-8970


 

• Do most home inspectors work for companies or own their own businesses?

About 80 percent of all home inspectors are self-employed business owners. Gregory Enterprises: The Home Inspection Training Center has programs to assist home inspectors to take the best path toward building a business. The Home Inspection Training Center and Inspector Nation also has job listings for available positions in North Carolina.

• Are there jobs available for home inspectors in North Carolina?

Yes, there are job opportunities for new home inspectors to work with companies if they choose. Gregory Enterprises: The Home Inspection Training Center has job listings for almost every city in North Carolina. Since we are the only NC based home inspection training company, Home Inspection companies count on us to help them locate and train employees.

• How are home inspectors paid when they work for a company?

Home inspectors who decide to work for established home inspection companies have two options.

  • Employment as a fulltime employee, where the home inspector is paid through a standard payment method and given a W-2 form for filing taxes

  • Employment as an independent contractor, where the home inspector is a business owner and works for other established companies on a contract basis and is provided with a 1099 form for tax filing.

• What method is used to determine if a home inspector is legally a 1099 contract worker?

A home inspection contract worker is a business owner or worker who is responsible for their own schedule, tools, and taxes. A home inspection contract worker can perform inspections for their business and for other businesses on a per house contract basis. The IRS has an information page for businesses to ensure that all guidelines are satisfied.

• As a home inspector am I an independent contractor or in business?

It is your choice how you set up your home inspection business structure. If you are a business owner or contractor who provides services to other businesses, then you are generally considered self-employed. As a business you may also work as an independent contractor.

• What are the rules for a home inspector to work as an independent contractor or contract worker?

The general rule is that an individual is an independent contractor if the payer has the right to control or direct only the result of the work and not what will be done, when work will be done, and how it will be done. The earnings will be documented with a 1099 from the payer and the person who is working as an independent contractor are subject to Self-Employment Tax.


 

• I am not a building contractor or engineer, can I still become a home inspector in North Carolina?

Although the North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure Board lists general contractor licenses or professional engineering registration as the first option to qualify for licensure as a home inspector there are several other options that will be accepted including 200 hours of pre-licensing home inspection training from The Home Inspection Training Center.

• I do not have any experience or building knowledge, can I gain the knowledge and experience I need to be a good home inspector with your pre-licensing program?

Yes, our pre-licensing programs are structured for students with all levels of knowledge. Basic pre-licensing is designed as alternative educations for students that do not have building experience. We will start from ground up and take you through all the systems and components of the home from the foundation footing to the roof, including all mechanical and electrical systems.

• What professional experience will the Home Inspector Licensure Board consider when a candidate is not licensed in general contracting, Architecture or Engineering (as an alternative to enrolling in a 200 hour pre-liensing program)?

Pre-licensing training from an approved company that includes 120 hours of academic hour and 80 hours of hands on training.

North Carolina will also consider other construction experience without licensure; give us a call and we can help you decide if you can qualify as a contractor even though you do not hold an official license.

• Can I apply and take the home inspection exam without taking a 200 hour pre-licensing home inspection education as a newly licensed contractor?

Yes, as long as you have been licensed for at least six months North Carolina will accept contractors, engineering or architectural licenses in place of pre-licensing training.

The Home Inspection Training Center offers specialized programs for these students


 

• After I finish the required training will I be required to take an exam with North Carolina?

Yes, North Carolina requires that you apply and take a State exam. This exam is not a National Exam, it is developed by the Board and is based on North Carolina Specific rules and codes.

• I understand that 120 hours of the training is online study, but what happens if I need to ask a question?

Give us a call! Email or Text! Need extra assistance after office hours? We are available everyday from 5:30 to 8:30 by email or text. Give us a try text your question to us at (336) 516-2084

• I completed a training program 2 years ago but never applied for licensure. It there a time limit between when you complete a program when you must submit an application?

Yes, the program must be completed within three years of the date the applicant submits an application for licensure

• I started an pre-licensing program that only offers half of the required hours. How should I move forward to make sure I meet North Carolina's requirements for licensure?

Visit the Website for the North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure Board to make sure your program is approved.

Your pre-licensing program should help you meet all the necessary requirements set forth by the licensure board. Our program was designed so that each required step in your pathway to licensure builds on the previous, helping to form a more cohesive education for you.

Give us a call if you are unsure whether or not your program is approved. 336-350-8970

• I have noticed that some programs offer pathways to certification instead of licensure. What is the difference?

Most state governments require home inspectors to carry an occupational license in order to practice as a home inspector. You are required to hold a State License in North Carolina in order to legally practice as a home inspector. A company specializing in certification instead of licensure is a key indicator that they primarily train in states without licensing programs.

In addition, many government agencies (such as the EPA, ...) ask that certification bodies be ISO 17024:2012 Accredited, so before enrolling in a certification program it is important to ask your educational provider to verify their compliance/accreditation with ISO 17024:2012. This ensures that your certification will be recognized in your home state.

• Approximately how long does it take from start to finish to get your home inspection licenses in North Carolina?

North Carolina’s Licensure program revolves around their examination schedule. They currently have 5 sessions a year. We are a full-time school and have weekly trainings, so on the average it takes 4 to 6 weeks from start to finish.


 

• Am I required to finish the 120 hours of online training before I start my field training with Gregory Enterprises: The Home Inspection Training Center?

Our program is unique in that we designed the entire program in-house to be a cohesive experience. Our online program and our in-person training offerings are designed to work well together and can be overlapped. Companies may ask you to finish 100% of your online training as a method to delay you until they are able to enroll enough students to make booking a hotel worthwhile. As the largest training in North Carolina, we offer year-round events and hold training sessions for every scheduled NC exam. This combined with our unique curriculum, allows you to begin your field training with as little as 50% of the online 120 hours completed. As you train with us at our facility, you can complete your online training & finish your program quickly.

• I see that there are a lot of companies online that advertise pre-licensing training for home inspectors in North Carolina, how many companies are actually North Carolina Companies?

Gregory Enterprises: The Home Inspection Training Center is only company that is a North Carolina based business. We are also the only company that offers the complete program both academic (120 hours) and field training (80 hours).

• Many online sources state that the North Carolina Home Inspection Exam is very difficult, is that true?

North Carolina’s Home Inspector Licensure Board exam is based on the minimum requirements, however, it is based on North Carolina’s unique laws and building codes. It is true that students that receive their training from companies that sale generic programs for every state have a much lower passing rates than Gregory Enterprises: The Home Inspection Training Center.

If you are studying generic materials accepted in every State and not specific to North Carolina, you will find the NC exam very difficult to pass.

• I signed up with another program, but discontinued training when the field trainer took me to his personal home, a small hotel room, or a coffee shop, how is Gregory Enterprises: The Home Inspection Training Center program different?

We are a North Carolina Company and a full-time school for Engineers, Builders and Home Inspectors. We are not just a generic internet company that subcontracts home inspectors for training. We will not be taking you to rented hotel rooms, personal houses, students houses, or coffee shops for meetings or for training. We have an 8,000 square foot State of the Art School with classrooms, mechanical labs, electrical labs, structural labs, field houses, and even a fully framed house! The field houses that we use are not random, they are part of our school.

We feel that field training is an important part of the educational experience. When you pay for 80 hours that does not mean 4 hours a day for 10 days. It means 80 dedicated educational hours with hands-on practical experience.

• How do I know if the materials in a program were designed for the specific standards of North Carolina?

North Carolina has several specific inspection techniques and standards that should be taught as a core component of your entire pre-licensing program, such as DDID formatting and Defect-Specific SLS developed by the NC Licensing Board (and written by our company under contract). Your training company should recognize these terms immediately.

• I signed up for an out of state training company, and the instructor asked if our class could use my personal home during training. I also noticed that our meeting location was a hotel. Should I be concerned?

Ask the company if they carry a commercial level insurance policy. Your home will need to be added to their insurance policy as an approved training site to protect you and your family from liability. Most personal homeowner's insurance policies are not valid for activiites such as commercial education/training, leaving you personally liable in the event of an accident.

It is important to be aware that a company needing to train in the personal homes of their students or hosting field training in a hotel most likely does not have an established presence in North Carolina.


 

• I have held a General Contractor's License in North Carolina for several years. Am I required to enroll in a complete 200 hour pre-licensing program before taking the licensing exam?

As a licensed General Contractor in North Carolina, you are eligible to take the licensing exam directly. Our company has specific packages designed for General Contractors to help translate your knowledge into the field of home inspection. We'll also work to strengthen knowledge areas that General Contractors typically have less experience in. Our parent company (Gregory Enterprises) is a Licensed General Contracting Firm, and we are approved to offer continuing education for General Contractors in NC. This will allow you to save time when renewing your GC license as a home inspector.

• I have a four year engineering or architecture degree. Am I required to enroll in a complete 200 hour pre-licensing program before taking the licensing exam?

Depending on your specialization, you may be eligible to take the licensing exam directly. Our company will help guide you through the process to gain approval to do so. If you hold professional licensure as an engineer, then you will automatically qualify to take the licensing exam directly. Our company has specific packages designed for engineers to help translate your knowledge into the field of home inspection. We'll also work to strengthen your knowledge depending on your specialization. Our parent company (Gregory Enterprises) is a Licensed Engineering Firm, and we are approved to offer continuing education for Professional Engineers in NC. This will allow you to save time when renewing your PE license as a home inspector.


 

• I have always had problems with taking standardized exams, I am concerned that this weakness could prevent me from obtaining my home inspection licenses. Can you help me with studying and test taking skills?

Yes! Our training procedures include building studying habits and test taking skills. As an ISO certification body, we understand the steps and requirements to create standardized exams and how to teach test taking strategies to defeat them.

• I am a builder, and am not required to take prelicensing training, but I feel that I need more than a study course to pass the exam. Can you help with additional training for engineers and builders?

Yes, we not only provide continuing education for home inspectors, we also are approved for builders, contractors, and professional engineers. We have special training programs designed to help you pass the state exam and to understand the procedures and report requirements for home inspection.

• How can I be sure that I will be ready for the licensing exam?

As a training provider, it is our responsibility to ensure that you are prepared for the career and the exam. We evaluate your performance throughout our entire program and a written practice exam taken on the last day of training. Based on this data, we develop a final study plan for you, unlock more online material, and predict your licensure exam score. Feeling ready and being ready...both require a pathway to success leading up to the exam.


 

•  Can a home inspector get into trouble or be sued after a home inspection?

Yes, North Carolina home inspectors must follow very specific laws and rules and failure can result in suspended or revoked licenses. Gregory Enterprises and Inspector Nation students are provided free assistance for complaint resolutions with clients and with the Board.

• What is the best way to protect yourself from litigation in a home inspection business?

The key to protecting yourself in the home inspection industry is to have the best training available, follow strict procedures for every inspection task, have a solid inspection contract and provide an excellent and compliant report. In our training program, we will provide you with detailed step by step procedures for every task and we also have the leading software in the State. IRBprosoftware.com is setup for North Carolina with everything in place including over 1000 options for limitations and 5000 D.D.I.D report statements.

• Once I am trained and licensed, I am afraid that I will not be able to handle every situation or recognize all the defects from historical to new homes. Is this possible for a person to do this job all by on own their own?

The home inspectors in North Carolina are never all on their own. They have daily support from us, our legal teams, and lobbyist. Since Gregory Enterprises: The Home Inspection Training Center is a North Carolina Company, you will never be without support. We provide daily inspection support and report review to our clients. Try it today, text a question to us at (336) 516-2084!


 

• How is Gregory Enterprises: The Home Inspection Training Center involved in the field and North Carolina?

In North Carolina, Gregory Enterprises: The Home Inspection Training Center is heavily involved in the industry and the community. We have been contracted by the NC Licensing Board (NCHILB) to author the State Mandatory Update Continuing Education course for the past 20+ years. We authored the NCHILB Suggested Language Statements (SLS) used by all home inspectors. Inspector Nation submitted 100% of all comments received by the NCHILB during the most recent standards update, with the vast majority of them being implemented into the NCHILB SOP. These changes have since been proven to be very signficant in protecting home inspectors. Staff and legal representatives from Inspector Nation attend every NCHILB committee and board meeting. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020, Inspector Nation worked tirelessly to ensure licensed home inspectors were able to work without interruption. In addition to training 90% or more of all practicing home inspectors in North Carolina annually, many other groups have elected to take our complete 200 hour pre-licensing program for home inspectors. This includes building and minimum housing inspectors for military bases/installations such as Fort Bragg, the NCHILB Staff Investigators that review and investigate all complaints received by the NCHILB, and private section 8 housing contrators. Our team works as expert witnesses and consultants for home inspectors finding themselves in situations neccesatiting this level of support.

• After I obtain my license, what level of support can I expect from your company?

Gregory Enterprises provides continuous support for all home inspectors in the field. This support ranges from report reviews to technical support during your home inspections. Every staff member at Gregory Enterprises is a technical professional ready to help you at anytime.

• If I wanted a reference for Gregory Enterprises: The Home Inspector Training Center who should I call?

Please feel free to call the State Board or most any home inspector in the State. We train the majority of the inspectors in the State and over 90% of the home inspector take their annual continuing education with us each year. Visit InspectorNation.com for a list of the best Home Inspectors in the State.

 

 

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