Would you like a career where you are your own boss and work your own schedule? A professional Home Inspector allows you the flexibility to work for yourself, set your hours and spend a great deal working outside. It is a great career for entrepreneurs who like spending time outside and helping people with one of the most important purchases they will make in their lifetime. Follow the simple steps below to get started.

1. Complete pre-licensing educational courses.

In order to become a professional licensed inspector in the state of Texas, you must complete 328 hours of educational experience that includes the following:

Complete 128 hours of core real estate inspection courses (8 of which must be related to the study of standards of practice, legal issues, or ethics related to the profession of real estate inspections) AND one of the following:

1. Has been actively licensed as a Real Estate Inspector for at least 12 months during the 24 month period prior to filing the Professional Application AND has completed 200 inspections (175 of which are performed under indirect supervision while licensed as a Real Estate Inspector and 25 of which were completed under direction supervision as an apprentice).
2. Has completed an additional 200 classroom hours of core inspector education. Of these hours, the following courses must be taken: 30 hours in Foundation Systems, 25 hours in Roof Systems, 30 hours in Framing, 25 hours in Electrical Systems, 25 hours in HVAC Systems, 25 hours in Plumbing, 12 hours in Building Enclosure, 6 hours in Appliances, 8 hours in Standards of Practice/Legal/Ethics, 8 hours in Standard Report Form/Report Writing, and 6 hours of other core inspection approved courses; and

1. 120 hours in an experience training module (provide a letter from the education provider or a course completion certificate); or
2. 120 hours inspecting with a licensed Professional Inspector who is eligible to sponsor applicants and can provide a letter certifying attendance; or
3. 5 years of personal experience in a field directly related to home inspecting (provide 2 reference letters from persons other than the applicant who has personal knowledge of the applicant’s work).

After completing all of your real estate inspector educational courses, you will send a copy of your certificates for each course and the Evaluation of Education Documents form to the Texas Real Estate Commission. You will need to include a $30 check or money order payable to TREC.

3.  File your Application for your Professional Inspector's License.

You will want to mail into the Texas Real Estate Commission your Professional Inspector License application along with a $60.00 check or money order made payable to the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC).

4.  Receive Your Letter from the State & Schedule Your State Exam

Once you receive your approval letter and the "Candidate Information Brochure" (CIB) from TREC, you must schedule to take your exam with PSI Examination Services. Appointments can be made by calling (800) 733-9267 or visiting www.psiexams.com. The cost is $59 payable to PSI. You must pass the exam with a 80% or higher, and you will know if you have passed the exam before you leave the testing center. NOTE: You must pass the state exam within 6 months of the application approval.

Note: If the applicant does not pass the exam after the third time, the applicant must wait 6 months from the last fail date to reapply to take the State Exam.