Does this state require Home Inspectors to be licensed?
- No, California does not currently have a licensing/certification/registration process for Home Inspectors. The California BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE SECTION 7195-7199 prohibits unethical home inspection practices, including repairing properties that home inspectors have inspected in the previous 12 months. The law encourages courts to consider the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics of ASHI and the California Real Estate Inspection Association (CREIA) http://www.creia.org/index.htm when determining whether an inspection meets the required standard of care.
- At the bottom of this page, information on membership to CREIA and ASHI is provided
Are there any educational requirements to be licensed?
No
Is there a state exam requirement to be licensed?
No
Are there any experience requirements to be licensed?
No
Are there any other requirements to be licensed?
No
When do the license expire?
Not Applicable
Are there any Continuing Education requirements to renew a license?
Not Applicable
CREIA is a voluntary, nonprofit public-benefit organization of real estate inspectors. CREIA provides education, training and support services to its members and the real estate community. CREIA's Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice are recognized by the California Business and Professions Codes and are considered the standard of care by the real estate industry and legal profession in the state. CREIA Inspector Members have successfully passed a comprehensive written examination on the myriad of systems and components in the construction and maintenance of residential dwellings. CREIA's educational mission is to expand the technical knowledge of its members through continuing education. Inspector members must complete a minimum 30 hours of continuing education annually.
CREIA MEMBERSHIP REQUIRMENTS:
- You must submit the CREIA application and associated dues
- You must be a candidate of CREIA.
- You must secure/document 30 continuing education credit (CEC) hours relating to real estate inspection.
- You must attend two meetings of your local CREIA chapter.
- You must submit, in writing on your inspection company letterhead, a listing of 50 fee-paid inspections that you have performed. Listing must include address of property inspected and the date (month/year) of the inspection. Please note: Your submitted listing may be subject to review and audit.
- You must successfully pass the CREIA membership exam. You must successfully pass the CREIA Code of Ethics Exam Questions (included in the CREIA membership exam). ALL CREIA Candidate Members are expected to upgrade their membership to CERTIFIED CREIA INSPECTOR (CCI) member status within 12 months of joining the association. The CCI exam is a two (2) hour, 100 multiple-choice question exam testing basic inspection industry knowledge. The CREIA Membership exam is designed to test basic knowledge of construction, identification of building components, and how building systems work.
ASHI ® Membership Categories and Requirements
Candidates and Members of ASHI® are required to abide by the Society's Code of Ethics, which specifically forbids home inspectors from active brokerage or sale of real estate, or performing repairs on homes, which they inspect. ASHI Candidates and Members also agree to perform and report inspections in accordance with the ASHI Standards of Practice. Besides the ASHI logo is widely regarded as the mark of a professional home inspector, its use by the ASHI membership is also carefully controlled.
There are three designations of active home inspector membership in ASHI®:
Members (M): Members of ASHI®
must meet the following current requirements:
- Passed the National Home Inspector Examination and ASHI's Standards and Ethics Examination.
- Had inspection reports successfully verified for compliance with ASHI's Standards of Practice.
- Submitted valid proof of performance of at least 250 fee-paid home inspections that meet or exceed the ASHI Standards of Practice.
Candidates w/ Logo (CL):
Candidates with Logo Use Privilege will have met most of the requirements for Member status and must meet the following additional requirements:
- They have passed the National Home Inspector Examination and ASHI's Standards and Ethics Examination
- ASHI has verified performance of 50 fee-paid inspections in substantial compliance with the Standards of Practice.
Candidates (CN):
Candidates have not yet met the ASHI Member requirements, however: Current requirements are:
- Candidates may be highly experienced inspectors who have just joined ASHI, or they may be novice inspectors who have completed training or otherwise entered the profession.