Complete a Pennsylvania-Approved Home Inspection Course

Choosing the right training and education will help set you apart from the competition and build a reputable brand for your Pennsylvania home inspection business. The type of training that AHIT offers is essential to knowing the in-and-outs of the home inspection industry. Our recommended 120-hour Pennsylvania course will thoroughly prepare you for your new home inspection career.

Take & Pass Your Examination

After completing your home inspector education, the next step is to register for (and pass) the National Home Inspector Exam.

This exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions (25 of which are not scored). Test takers are given 4 hours to complete the exam, and each attempt costs roughly $225 (depending on your location). AHIT offers several options for exam preparation with the goal of helping you pass your test the first time around. If an individual does not pass, they must wait 30 days before taking the exam again.

Conduct at Least 100 Home Inspections

Pennsylvania requires that you participate in at least 100 home inspections in the field to gain the practical skills you’ll need to perform your duties as licensed Pennsylvania home inspector. Our instructors at AHIT will help you with this process and walk you through the in-and-outs of how to conduct a proper home inspection.

Become a Member of a National, Non-profit Home Inspection Association

To be a home inspector in Pennsylvania, you must join and be a member in good standing with a national, non-profit home inspector association. This helps to ensure all home inspectors in the Keystone State are operating by the same guidelines and procedures.

There are multiple national organizations you can join, including the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI).

There is another option to work directly under the supervision of a home inspector who is a member of a national home inspection association in good standing with the organization.

Provide Proof of Required Insurances

Pennsylvania requires home inspectors to carry certain insurance policies for your home inspection business.

You will need to show proof of the following:

• Errors and omission insurance for $100,000 per occurrence
• General liability insurance for $100,000 per occurrence
• $500,000 in the aggregate and deductibles of not more than $2,500

Complete a Philadelphia-Approved Home Inspection Course

The city of Philadelphia requires that you complete 120 hours of home inspection education. Once you complete your course, you’ll receive the required certification for home inspection, which is the first step to become a licensed Philadelphia home inspector.

Take and Pass the National Home Inspector Examination

After completing your home inspector education, the next step is to register for (and pass) the National Home Inspector Exam.

This exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions (25 of which are not scored). Test takers are given 4 hours to complete the exam, and each attempt costs roughly $225 (depending on your location). AHIT offers several options for exam preparation with the goal of helping you pass your test the first time around. If an individual does not pass, they must wait 30 days before taking the exam again.

Obtain a Philadelphia Business Income and Receipts Tax ID

The next step is to file for a Business Income & Receipts Tax (BIRT) online through the city’s website.

Obtain a Philadelphia Commercial Activity License

You will now have to register for a commercial activity license through the city’s Department of Licenses and Inspections.

Provide Proof of Required Liability Insurances

Here is a quick breakdown of what the city lists as requirements for the different types of insurances they want Philadelphia home inspectors to have:

• Commercial General Liability (including products and completed
  operations)
  • $100,000 per occurrence with $500,000 in the aggregate with deductibles of not more than $2,500
• Automobile Liability Insurance
  • $100,000
• Workman’s Compensation
  • $100,000 per accident
  • $100,000 for each employee
  • $500,000 policy limit
• Professional Liability Insurance
  • $100,000 per occurrence with $500,000 in the aggregate with
    deductibles of not more than $2,500

Pay a $300 Fee and Apply Online via eCLIPSE

Philadelphia uses an in-house system called eCLIPSE to accept your home inspector application. Create an account online, then submit your application and fee.