Why There is No Such Thing as a Licensed Home Inspector in California

A licensed home inspector in California does not exist in Sacramento.

It comes as a shock to many people that home inspectors are not licensed in California. When you hear Sacramento Realtors say they are referring a licensed home inspector in California to a home buyer, the agent is using the wrong words. You will not find a licensed home inspector in California. Because the state of California has no licensing division nor requirements for that career.

That guy behind you with the back yard that looks like a place where Sanford and Son run a junk yard, that guy could print business cards and call himself a home inspector. Nothing stopping him. He could be a baker, a shaker, a candlestick maker or she could be a new mom looking for extra income to buy diapers. Doesn’t matter.

There are no requirements apart from the California Trade Practice Act, which prohibits unethical practices. The Practice Act also stops home inspectors from making repairs on any property the home inspector has inspected within the past 12 months.

California is not alone. In fact, according to ASHI, there are 22 states in the country (I counted them) that have no licensing for home inspectors. Our neighbor one state over to the north, the state of Washington, did not license home inspectors either but that changed in 2008. That state now requires 120 hours of classroom, 40 hours of field training and the inspector must pass a written exam. Oregon has licensing requirements for home inspectors, too.

It’s most likely political as to why there is no such animal as a licensed home inspector in California. However, don’t look to trade associations for the answer, although the state tries. Trade associations are lobbyists. I mean, it’s better than a poke in the eye with a stick, but trade associations can issue basic membership in exchange for a fee and passing the trade association’s exam.

According to its website, the American Society of Home Inspectors offers 3 categories of membership:

• An associate level: passing a standards of practice and ethics course
• An inspector level: completing 75 inspections for a fee and passing an exam
• A certified ASHI home inspector level: passing the National Home Inspector Examination and the standards of practice / ethics course, including completing 250 validated home inspections for a fee.

When I look at some of the home inspections I receive on behalf of my Sacramento home sellers, it makes me believe it is time that we pass legislation to license home inspectors in California.

to be continued . . .