How to Become a Licensed Home Inspector in Washington

 
  

Home Inspector Licensing

To become a licensed home inspector, you must submit the following to the Washington State Department of Licensing:
  1. A state application
  2. Proof of completion of a minimum of 120 hours of board-approved classroom instruction. We have training partner schools (see below) to teach InterNACHI's Washington-Approved 120-Hour Fundamentals for Home Inspector Licensing Course
  3. Proof of mentorship with an experienced home inspector for 40 hours of field training and 5 actual inspections. Find an InterNACHI® Mentor near you.
  4. Evidence of successful completion of the written exam through the state. 
  5. A required state fee. 
For details on licensing, visit the State of Washington website.
 
 


Continuing Education (online & free for members)    

The Washington Department of Licensing has approved the following online courses for home inspector Continuing Education (online & free for members).

Search for CE courses on state website


  
 
 
 


 

Washington Partner Schools: 

  


 


Find a Mentor

InterNACHI® Mentors are available near you. 




Find a Local Chapter

Find or form an InterNACHI® Chapter near you. 



 

Insurance for Inspectors

Although Washington doesn’t have requirements regarding insurance for home inspectors, many local real estate boards and home inspector business franchises require their affiliate members to meet certain coverage standards. InterNACHI members are eligible for discounts and enhanced coverage. Visit nachi.org/insurance for information on how to sign up.
 
  


 

Radon Tester Certification (online & free for members): 

Although there are no state regulations for radon testing in Washington, the Washington State Department of Health recommends hiring a professional radon tester (as of October 2014).  Visit the Washington website for details.
 
NRPP:
InterNACHI's free, online "Radon Measurement Professional Initial Training Course" is AARST-NRPP approved for both initial certification and Continuing Education. To complete all components of the NRPP Radon Certification, please visit their site for more information.  
 
NRSB:
InterNACHI's free, online Radon Measurement Professional Initial Training Course is NRSB-approved for initial certification. For those looking for NRSB continuing education, members should take the free, online "Advanced Radon Measurement Service Provider" course.
 


  


Free Real Estate Cards (free for members):

Licensed real estate agents can attain free Continuing Education credits by following the directions on the real estate cards. Members can hand out these cards to real estate agents, which explain how to log into the free courses.
 
When an agent logs into a course and enters the member's ID number, the member is automatically emailed. The first slide of the course is the member's contact information.
 
Tell them to visit nachi.org/wa-agent and register for the free online Continuing Education course. The course promotes the value of hiring an InterNACHI Home Energy Inspector. When a real estate professional logs into the course and enters the InterNACHI member's ID number, the member will be automatically notified by email.
 
 
 
 
 


Wood-Destroying Organism Inspection Education:


For more information look here. InterNACHI's Wood-Destroying Organisms (WDO) Inspection Course may be a beneficial study tool for those looking to become licensed.





Commercial Property Inspections

Become an InterNACHI® Certified Commercial Property Inspector. The online training and certification is free for members.

Visit Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association (CCPIA) for additional commercial inspection training and resources.

 


 
 
 

Home Energy Inspector Certification (online & free for members):

 
Become a Certified Home Energy Inspector™. The online training and certification is free for members. No infrared, no blower door, and no additional training needed. Visit nachi.org/home-energy-inspector
 


 

Business & Marketing (online & free for members):


 

 
InterNACHI's Marketing Team will design a new logo for your inspection business or re-design your existing logo, and design and customize your business cards, flyers, and brochures. It's all for free. Take a look at the free design work we've done for our members (free to members). Contact the Inspector Marketing Department today. 
 
 


Hands-On Training at House of Horrors® 

Experience world-class inspection training and InterNACHI® member events at our House of Horrors® locations in Colorado and Florida.  The InterNACHI® House of Horrors® is an entire house with 1,000 defects built under our roof.  Register for a free event, take training, test-drive inspection tools, attend an inspector chapter meeting, and inspect the House of Horrors®. 
 
 
 

 

How to Join InterNACHI

 


 

Everything You Need, All in One Place:

InterNACHI provides everything you need to be successful. Visit nachi.org/become-home-inspector
 
 
 
 

Membership Benefits (free for members):

 
InterNACHI provides over $75,000 worth of benefits to its members at no cost. Visit https://www.nachi.org/benefits.htm
 
 
 
 
 

Archived Documents:

InterNACHI's Washington-Approved 120-Hour Fundamentals for Home Inspector Licensing Course.

View approval letter of InterNACHI's Advanced Electrical Inspection Training Course Approval #WA2021-460



View approval letter of InterNACHI's Washington Approved 120-Hour Fundamentals Home Inspector Licensing Course #H322


View 2022 approval of How to Perform Roof Inspection Course. Course #494. Expiration 6/13/2022.

View 2022 approval of Log Home Inspection Course. Course #487. Expiration 6/12/2022. 

View 2022 approval of Residential Plumbing Overview for Inspectors Course. #490. Expiration 6/12/2022.

View 2022 approval of Effectively Building Referrals. Course #1069. Expiration date 4/22/2022.
View 2022 approval of Commercial Inspection Report Writing. Course #1067. Expiration date 4/22/2022.
View 2022 approval of Chasing Water with Thermal Imaging. Course #1066. Expiration date 4/22/2022. 
View 2022 approval of Advanced Residential Inspections. Course #1068. Expiration date 4/22/2022. 
View 2022 approval of Using Thermal Imaging for Energy Audits. Course #1071. Expiration date 4/22/2022. 
View 2022 approval of Advanced HVAC Class. Course #1063. Expiration date 04/12/2022.






 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 



 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 
View 2021 approval for How to Inspect Septic Systems. Course #536. Expiration 1/22/2021
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
View 2021 approval for Inspecting Means of Egress. Course #541. Expiration 1/23/2021
 

 
View 2021 approval for How to Inspect Slate Roofs. Course #545. Expiration 1/22/2021
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
View 2021 approval for The House as a System. Course #529. Expiration 1/22/2021
 

 
 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
View 2020 approval for Gas Fireplace Inspection Class. Course #513. 4 hours. Expiration 9/21/2020
 

 
View 2020 approval for Home Inspect Private Drinking Water Wells. Course #514. 12 hours. Expiration 9/21/2020
 

 
 

 
View 2020 approval for Roof Inspections Class. Course #515. 4 hours. Expiration 9/21/2020
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
View 2020 approval of How To Inspect The Exterior Course. Course #486. 12.0 hours. Expiration 06/12/2020. 
 
 

 
View 2020 approval of Structural Issues For Home Inspectors Course. Course #491. 4.0 hours. Expiration 06/12/2020. 
 

 
View 2020 approval of Safe Practices For the Home Inspector Course. Course #495. 4.0 hours. Expiration 06/12/2020. 
 

 
View 2020 approval of Residential Plumbing Overview. Course #490. 8.0 hours. Expiration 06/12/2020. 
 

 
 

 
View 2020 approval of Inspecting Foundation Walls and Piers Course. Course #493. 3.0 hours. Expiration 06/12/2020. 
 
 

 
View 2020 approval of How To Perform Roof Inspections Course. Course #494. 4.0 hours. Expiration 06/12/2020. 
 
 

 
 

 
View 2020 approval of How To Inspect Manufactured and Mobile Homes Course. Course #489. 12.0 hours. Expiration 06/12/2020. 
 

 
View 2020 approval of How To Perform Deck Inspections Course. Course #484. 3.0 hours. Expiration 06/12/2020. 
 

 
View 2020 approval of How To Inspect For Moisture Intrusion Course. Course #492. 8.0 hours. Expiration 06/12/2020. 

 
View 2020 approval of How To Inspect HVAC Systems Course. Course #488. 12.0 hours. Expiration 06/12/2020. 
 

 

View 2019 approval of How to Perform Home Energy Audits Course. Course #445. 24 hours. Expiration 12/20/2019.
 

 

 

 

 

 

View 2017 approval of Fundamentals of Home Inspection Class. Class #421. 120 live hours. Expiration February 27, 2019. 
 

View 2017 approval of Calculating Envelope Energy Loss Course. Course #330. 2 online hours. Expiration March 4, 2019.
 

View approval of The House as a System Course. Course #409. 2 online hours. Expiration January 2, 2019. 
 

View approval of Inspecting the Means of Egress Course. Course #327. 4 online hours. Expiration March 12, 2019. 
 

View approval of Indoor Air Quality for Inspectors Course. Course #332. 2 online hours. Expiration March 12, 2019. 
 

View approval of How to Inspect Pools and Spas Course. Course #410. 8 online hours. Expiration December 22, 2018. 

View approval of How to Inspect Fireplaces, Stoves, and Chimneys Course. Course #325. 4 online hours. Expiration February 16, 2019. 
 

View approval of How to Inspect Tile Roofs Class (live). Class #407. 4 classroom hours. Expiration October 6, 2018. 
 

View approval of How to Perform a Roof Inspection Class (live). Class #406. 4 classroom hours. Expiration October 6, 2018. 
 

View approval of 10 Steps to Performing a Roof Inspection Class (live). Class #405. 2 classroom hours. Expiration October 6, 2018. 
 







View approval of How to Inspect Private Drinking Water Wells. Course #404. 12 hours. Expiration October 6, 2018.
 
View approval of How to Inspect for Moisture Intrusion Class (Live). Class #401. 16 classroom hours. Expiration September 16, 2018.
 
View approval of Gas Fireplace Inspections Class (Live). Class #402. 4 classroom hours. Expiration September 27, 2018. 
 
 
View approval of How to Perform Residential Swimming Pool and Spa Inspections Class. Class #400. 4 classroom hours. Expiration September 1, 2018. 
 
View approval of Infrared Thermography Class. Class #398. 16 classroom hours. Expiration September 1, 2018.
 
View approval of How to Run a Successful Home Inspection Business Class. Class #399. 4 classroom hours. Expiration September 1, 2018.
 
How to Perform Tree Inspections Course. Course #397. 7 hours. Expiration 08/31/2018.
 
View approval of Structural Issues for Home Inspectors Course. Course #381. 4 hours. Expiration 07/08/2018. 
 
View approval of How to Perform Deck Inspections Course. Course #392. 3 hours. Expiration 07/08/2018.
 
View approval of How to Inspect HVAC Systems Course. Course #389. 12 hours. Expiration 07/08/2018. 

View approval of How to Inspect for Moisture Intrusion Course. Course #386. 8 hours. Expiration 07/08/2018.
 
View How to Inspect Manufactured and Mobile Homes Course. Course #387. 12 hours. Expiration 07/08/2018.
 




View approval of How to Perform Roof Inspections Course. Course #383. 4 hours. Expiration 07/08/2018.
 
View approval of Log Home Inspection Course. Course #388. 8 hours. Expiration 07/08/2018. 
 
View approval of How to Perform Exterior Inspections Courses. Course #391. 12 hours. Expiration 07/08/2018.
 
View approval of How to Perform Residential Electrical Inspections Course. Course #384. 4 hours. Expiration 07/08/2018. 
 
View approval of Residential Plumbing Overview for Inspectors Course. Course #385. 8 hours. Expiration 07/08/2017.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 


 

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