States

How to become a
home inspector in
Vermont


Last Updated: August 28, 2023

Here you are, ready to begin the road to become a home inspector in Vermont. We at InspectorPro hope that you are excited, because we are excited for you! Many inspectors really love this profession, and we hope that you will, too. In case you are wondering what the Vermont home inspector requirements are, we have made a list to help you out.

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The Vermont Home Inspector Requirements

The requirements to become a home inspector in Vermont are enforced by the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation. The Vermont home inspector license requirements give inspectors three paths to licensure:

  • Certification Path
    • Submit evidence that you are an ASHI Certified Inspector
  • Examination Path
    • Upload the evidence that you completed the 80 hours of education through an approved course provider.
    • Submit evidence that you completed the NHIE.
  • Fast Track Endorsement
    • Provide a Verification of Licensure form from your current state of licensure that shows you have at least 3 years of continuous licensure in good standing preceding the date of the application. 

Once you have completed the requirements of the path you chose, apply online, and you will be ready to start inspecting. But first, let us break down each of these paths, and the requirements associated with them.

Certification Path

This path to become a home inspector in Vermont depends on whether you wish to become an active member of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). If you do, then the Office of Professional Regulation will accept that you, as an ASHI Certified Inspector, are qualified to become a licensed home inspector in Vermont.

ASHI has various levels of membership. You are specifically required to become an ASHI Certified Member (ACI). You can find the requirements here. Completing this path is fairly similar to the Examination Path, as an ASHI Certified Inspector is also required to complete courses and an examination. The primary difference is that this Certification Path nets you an ASHI certification alongside your license, which can help you market your services. Once you complete the requirements to become an ASHI Certified Member, you can provide evidence of your membership level along with your application, and you will be ready to begin inspecting.

Examination Path

If you choose to go a non-association route to become a home inspector in Vermont, the Examination Path will be your best option. It has you complete a home inspection training course, followed by an exam to test your knowledge.

Complete an 80-hour training course.

You must successfully complete an 80-hour home inspection course. This course will teach you about the systems you will inspect, reporting practices, as well as how to run your inspection business successfully. You can find a list of approved course providers here on their website.

These types of courses can help you become an experienced and knowledgeable home inspector. Take it as an opportunity to begin your journey to become a home inspector in Vermont with a strong start. Aside from teaching you the necessary basics, these courses can help you network with other inspectors, meet experienced mentors, and ask any questions about marketing, inspecting, business setup, report writing, or any other necessary skill.

Pass the National Home Inspector Exam.

Once you have passed the home inspector training course, the next step to fulfilling the Vermont home inspector requirements is to pass the state-approved National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE). The NHIE is a 200 question exam that covers various aspects of home inspections, including report writing and your professional responsibilities as an inspector.

To prepare for this exam, review the materials from your home inspector course, and also consider using study materials from the NHIE website itself (found here). Also, ask other inspectors in your state about what helped them study for the exam. If you prepare in these ways, you will be on track to pass the exam with flying colors!

Fast Track Endorsement

This Vermont home inspector requirement path is only viable if you have inspected and been licensed for over three consecutive years in another state before applying in Vermont. If you meet this requirement, fill out this Verification of Licensure form and submit it alongside your application.

Should you carry insurance to become a home inspector in Vermont?

While you are not required to carry insurance to meet the Vermont home inspector requirements, that doesn’t mean that you should go without protection for your business. Vermont home inspectors have just as much to gain from insurance as inspectors in mandatory-licensed states.

The biggest incentive: Investing in coverage saves you big in the long-term–not just in time and money, but also in stress.

Uninsured home inspectors are responsible for resolving and paying for claims on their own. It can be extremely stressful and expensive to deal with a lawsuit, or even just an angry client.

On the flip side, exceeding Vermont’s home inspector requirements by carrying errors and omissions (E&O) and general liability (GL) insurance guarantees you have all the coverage necessary to keep you, your inspection business, and your clients safe. E&O, for example, has your back when clients accuse you of negligence, breach of contract, or improper report recommendations. Meanwhile, GL comes into play if a person suffers bodily harm, or the property gets damaged, as a result of your inspection services. 

These scenarios can–and have–happened to the most seasoned of Vermont’s home inspectors. With a dedicated claims handling team just a phone call or email away, InspectorPro’s policies put a plan in place so you can inspect without stress. As such, even if the Vermont home inspector requirements do not require you to carry insurance, your peace of mind should.

Interested in learning more? Learn about the difference between E&O and GL in our article. Or, click the button below to receive a free, no-obligation quote. It’ll also put you in touch with one of our licensed brokers, who are ready to answer your Vermont insurance questions.

Apply for E&O and/or GL Insurance

Congratulations from InspectorPro

If you have finished the requirements to become a home inspector in Vermont, you have something to celebrate! If you are still working on it, however, know that we at InspectorPro are rooting for you! We hope our list of Vermont home inspector requirements has been helpful for you. Reach out if you have questions, need help, or want to protect your business with the best coverage available. We are always grateful to serve you.