Question : How to get started in home inspections?
About 6 months ago I met with an individual doing a crane inspection at my plant, and he did home inspections on the side to make some extra cash. Can someone give me the specifics on doing this on the side? He was certified to do this, liscensed-bonded-and insured. I would like to know more about this as a side project to put more bank in my pocket…I am a Safety professional by trade, so I already know a good deal of what to look for, since I audit my plant on a daily basis.
I’m looking at doing this in Arkansas and Oklahoma
professional home inspection

Best answer:

Answer by kemperk
it is possible that both states regulate this field; AZ [where i am, does]

call a real estate broker to see if your state regulates such
professionals.

http://www.homeinspectioninstitute.com/state_regulations.php?statecode=’AR’

http://www.nahi.org/ok-oklahoma-home-inspector.asp

ASHI : Homebuyers/Sellers : State Regulations
Download ASHI’s official position on the regulation of the home inspection profession.
Existing State Home Inspector Regulatory Legislation

Alabama Licensure (Act 2002-517 enacted in 2002) Requires individuals performing home inspections to become licensed by the Alabama Building Commission. The Alabama Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics (see Home Inspectors Rules and Applications) is adopted from the ASHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. The Alabama Building Commission gratefully acknowledges ASHI’s consent. The Building Commission adopted the National Home Inspection Examination to assess minimum competence. The bill also outlines educational and experiential requirements to become licensed, sets license fees and insurance requirements, and defines penalties under which licensure may be suspended or revoked. This law replaces Act 96-574.

For more information or a copy of the statute contact the Alabama Building Commission, (334) 242-4082, (334) 242-4182 fax, e-mail buildcom@bc.state.al.us.

Alaska Licensure (Chapter 134 SLA enacted in 2003). In Alaska, home inspectors and associate home inspectors will be issued a certificate of registration by the Department of Community and Economic Development. To be a registered home inspector, an individual must: 1) pass the National Home Inspector Examination, 2) meet the educational and experience requirements as determined by the Department, 3) submit a complete application for registration within one year of passing the exam, 4) not have been convicted of specific crimes in the past seven years of the date of the application, 5) not have had the authority to perform home inspections revoked in the state or another jurisdiction, 6) not be the subject of an unresolved criminal complaint or unresolved disciplinary action in the state and 7) pay the appropriate fees. For the renewal of certificates, the Department will require at least eight hours of continuing competency activity in each licensing period. The Department will set the registration fees for home inspectors and associate home inspectors and determine the disciplinary actions and penalties for violating the terms of the certificate of registration. The law also sets home inspection requirements for residential loans purchased or approved by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation. The law requires that a written report fulfilling certain requirements be submitted to the person requesting the inspection upon completion of an inspection that will remain valid for 180 days after the inspection and allows for civil action to be taken against home inspectors for one year after performing the inspection. The law requires the home inspector to carry insurance and a bond of $ 5,000. The law went into effect in 2003 and all home inspectors are required to have a license by July 1, 2004.

For more information contact the home inspector licensing examiner at the The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development at (907) 465-5470 phone, (907) 465-2974 fax or e-mail brenda_Donohue@commerce.state.ak.us .

Arizona Certification (Title 32, Chapter 1 enacted in 2002). The Arizona State Board of Technical Registration (BTR) certifies and regulates the practice of home inspectors. The law requires 80 hours of education, successful completion of the National Home Inspector Examination, and evidence of successfully completed home inspections. In addition, the law requires that certified home inspectors have one of the following financial assurances: 1) Errors and Omissions Insurance in the amount of $ 200,000 in the aggregate and $ 100,000 per occurrence, 2) a $ 25,000 bond or proof of assets in that amount, or 3) an alternate financial assurance mechanism approved by the BTR with a value of at least $ 25,000. The law states that loss of or failure to obtain financial assurance is grounds for revocation of certification.

For more specific information regarding certification requirements, please go to the BTR website and, under Regulations on the Table of Contents panel, click on “Applicable Statutes” (see A.R.S.§ 32-122.02 or “Applicable Rules” (see A.A.C. R4-30-247).

For further information, contact Manual Maltos, Home Inspector Certification Program administrator.

Arkansas Registration (Act 1328 of 2003) repealed and replaced (Act 791 of 1997). Unde r the “Arkansas Home Inspector Registration Act,” all home inspectors in the state must register with the Sec retary of State. Applicants must pass the National Home Inspector Examination. In addition, home inspectors must conduct all inspections in adherence to the Standards of