On-line schools provide a way for people interested in home inspection to learn the trade without attending a bricks and mortar school. Students who enroll in home inspection on-line programs can study when time permits. Most home inspection on-line schools have detailed videos and photographs that demonstrate the key points of home inspection, and some programs have certified instructors that students can contact over the phone should questions arise. Kaplan Professional Schools provides on-line training for home inspectors, as well as the American Home Inspection Training Institute (AHIT). Both of these schools combine on-line classes with videos to demonstrate the actual techniques involved in home inspection.
Bricks and mortar schools provide hands-on training and experience to learn home inspection techniques. Students can attend classes offered at community and vocational colleges to meet the educational and training requirements. Private schools also offer courses for home inspection training as well as hands-on experience to learn to inspect attics, wiring, plumbing and structural issues. The classes also cover state building codes and construction standards. While community colleges stretch the home inspection classes over the course of a semester or quarter, private schools sometimes offer intense, week-long programs for students who want or need fast-track training. Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona, offers a home inspection certification that requires additional time with a mentor in the field. Besides offering on-line classes, AHIT offers on-site classes in select cities across the U.S.
Some states require students to train with certified home inspectors, while others let students learn the physical inspection techniques from DVDs or videos. Arizona and Connecticut require a minimum number of home inspections with a licensed inspector before the student can apply for licensing. When taking home inspection classes through an on-line provider, the student may have to pay a licensed local inspector to accompany him on inspections. The National Association of Home Inspectors provides a list of certified home inspectors by state who mentor students.
Schools that provide classroom and field work training often prepare students to take the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) by conducting review sessions and providing sample tests. Online study guides like Mo Media's review of home inspection techniques help prepare students to take the NHIE. Schools located in states where inspectors do not need a license to practice can create their own tests to demonstrate competency in the field. When applying for a license in a state that requires one, the applicant must provide the necessary certifications from the school of successful program completion and a passing score on the NHIE.