How to Become a Building Inspector

Building inspection is an important occupation for society as determining the suitability of a structure for occupancy is crucial for the safety of all who many live, work, and/or play in the area. There are many facets that the inspector may need to cover in the course of their duties, so some rigor in the process of certification should be expected. This training is done partially in the field, and partially with education.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Acquiring the Right Education

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    List what skills to look for in a program. You want to select a training program that will leave you with a diverse set of skills for the certification process, and adaptable enough to deal with the often changing rules and technology in the architectural environment.[1]
    • Check to see if the program covers essential inspection items such as roofing, the foundation, interior work, electrical work, plumbing, heating systems, cooling systems, structural fatigue, and the like.
    • Also look for programs that can teach you to inspect a wide variety of building types including condominiums, townhouses, apartments, skyscrapers, residential homes, prefabricated buildings, and new construction projects.
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    Choose between community college or vocational schools. Training in engineering and/or architecture is a great asset in this field. Community colleges tend to offer a wider variety of courses in this area while vocational schools may have more specifically tailored courses.[2] [3]
    • If you go with the community college choice, consider taking additional courses in algebra, geometry, writing, and anything that might contribute to reading of blueprints and construction skill-building.
    • If you select a vocational school, in addition to the program coverage from the earlier step and the certification from the following step, try to go with a good record of career placement.
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    Check if the program works towards certification. Whatever building inspector training program you enter needs to be working towards the proper certification. Ask your local government if this school's certification matches with the official requirements.
    • The inspection program should include field training, provisions for state licensing in the states that have them, and preparation for the national and state exams you need to pass.
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    Look up mentoring options. You will be learning from experienced inspectors during your vocational program and/or on the job training. This is an important foundation for employment later as well.
    • Some mentoring programs are highly structured, and will thoroughly lay out your schedule as you shadow your more experienced partner.
    • If your mentor is not as "hands on" as you would like, ask for more attention or another partner.
    • In either the job or vocational setting, you need to be shadowing inspections, learning codes, techniques, terminology, and developing communication skills with other inspectors, customers, as well as subjects.
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    Get field experience. This is one of the most important steps to becoming a building inspector. Some education in relate fields such as architecture can be substituted here, but there is no substitute for performing inspections yourself under the supervision of a knowledgeable partner.[4]
    • You might ask your prospective program how they handle this aspect, if they have a mentoring program as referenced in the earlier step, and how many hours of this they provide towards certification.
    • Compare how much field experience you can get on the job and in programs to what you need for the license you apply to.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Getting Certification

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    Copy down information on the major national building inspector exams. There are two major national test models. Any version of the test will cover similar categories of building inspection knowledge.
    • The national exam is usually based off of the test created by one of two groups: The American Society of Home Inspectors or the National Association of Home Inspectors.
    • These exams will cover the subjects including the building site, exteriors, roofing, garages, attics, exterior structures, interior structures, foundations, environmental hazards, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, electrical systems, air and water quality, plumbing, codes of conduct and ethics.
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    Look into a preparatory course. This is a good idea for any national test, and can help focus your attention on the questions and classroom knowledge you will need to pass the exam. This may be something your chosen school also offers.
    • The courses can be expensive, several hundreds of dollars, so be sure this will benefit you.
    • If you can ask about the test question types, and what else to expect from those that have taken it, do so.
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    Take some practice tests. If a sample test is available, add this to your training. Verify that the test you're sampling has relevant questions by asking your training program.
    • A run through the test, even an old one under test conditions can be a help to your performance on the test later on.
    • This test is usually computerized at this time, but the practice questions and timing can be simulated.
    • Do this a few times to improve your score and timing.
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    Locate a testing facility. Make sure you have selected a facility relatively easy to reach at the day and time the test is given. Get a detailed set of instructions for any facility procedures.[5]
    • When applying for the test, you will need to provide your full name, home address, social security number, telephone number, date of birth, exam date, and test center location.
    • Upon arrival at the test you will need your application confirmation number, examination fee (unless already paid), two forms of identification (ask the test center what is accepted if unsure--usually one must be a photo-identification like a driver's license), the score report of the previous tests if this is a retake, and name of the exam(s) you are taking this time.
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    Check with your state and local governments. You should find out of there are additional regulations, codes, and/or licenses you need to familiarize yourself with and/or acquire. You can find out how far your certification is valid for geographically.[6] [7]
    • Different states can require different levels of education, specific additional exams, additional field experience, and liability insurance.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Applying Your Skills

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    Prepare for demanding physical and mental requirements. This is a career that involves a great deal of movement through structures, and explaining technical findings to others. Communication skills are also crucial.[8]
    • Inspectors should expect to move in and out of buildings frequently, and in and around all of the spaces that make up the structures they inspect.
    • This job requires the ability to explain problems found during inspections to those that hired the inspector and those that were inspected. This includes translating what may be technical architectural terms into something non-specialists can understand.
    • Having some knowledge and being able to perform construction can help inspectors with certification.
    • Being able to understand, use, and investigate complex mechanical systems is also something that is useful. In the field, using these systems can happen
    • Expect to have to look into the details of your assignments. Inspectors frequently have to multi-task and handle close examination of several construction activities simultaneously without overlooking any of their individual components.
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    Look for openings in your locality and regionally. There are a number of public and private careers for building inspectors.This is one of a couple of common paths inspectors take into employment--working for others.[9] [10] [11]
    • When you reach this stage of your career development, review your program's career links to see if they have any deals with existing companies or government agencies that may get you employment.
    • Some categories of jobs for building inspectors include local government departments, construction contractors, architecture firms, real estate businesses, and home owners.
    • Getting a job is best done through your original training program if they offer placement assistance.
    • Other ways to get jobs include listings at government employment commissions, hiring agencies.
    • Make sure that the jobs you look for are in areas your certification will be valid.
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    Start your own building inspection business. This is a considerable undertaking, but one to think about if you don't pursue inspection work with others. You would need to establish commercial credentials, and build up clients or contract work.[12] [13] [14]
    • There are many paths to [Start-Your-Own-Business| starting your own business]. Make sure you check your state and city ordinances if you go this route. In addition to your certification for inspection, there will be other business licenses you may need.
    • Consult Federal assistance programs for start up businesses as well. These can help you with networking, financing, and ideas for gathering clients.
    • Think about joining your local, state, and federal chambers of commerce to improve your business's visibility and ability to get inspection contracts.
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    Create a sample budget with the expected pay for building inspectors. As of 2012, the pay range for inspectors varied from approximately $32,000 to $84,000. Take into consideration if this pay range is suitable for your needs and lifestyle.[15]
    • This pay reflects mostly full-time work during the business day--though workloads can increase during periods of disaster, site accidents, or heavy construction months.
    • Approximately 11 percent of inspectors were self-employed.
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    Make a career plan that considers the job outlook. Overall growth for building inspectors is growing, but entry is being somewhat constrained to those with field experience over education-only applicants. Take this into consideration when applying to multiple jobs.[16]
    • Multiple-field experience inspectors are the highest in demand, especially by the government. These are inspectors with specialties in engineering, architecture, electrical systems, etc...
    • Larger locales favor specialized inspectors while smaller areas favor inspectors that are more broadly skilled.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    What qualifications must a municipal building inspector possess?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Knowledge of local building codes, the ability to move through buildings easily, and good communication skills.
  • Question
    Can I be like Inspector Gadget if I become a building inspector?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Inspector Gadget was a detective, so no. Wrong kind of inspector. A building inspector does a lot less sleuthing and a whole lot more paperwork.
  • Question
    If I can't draw, can I still be an inspector?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, one does not need to draw blueprints, but you must be able to read them.
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Warnings

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References

  1. ↑ http://www.scitraining.com/Home_Inspector?AF=BF0180
  2. ↑ http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Construction-and-Extraction/Construction-and-building-inspectors.htm#tab-4
  3. ↑ http://study.com/building_inspector_training.html
  4. ↑ http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Construction-and-Extraction/Construction-and-building-inspectors.htm#tab-4
  5. ↑ http://cert.psiexams.com/locateall.html
  6. ↑ http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Construction-and-Extraction/Construction-and-building-inspectors.htm#tab-4
  7. ↑ http://www.scitraining.com/Home_Inspector/Career_Forecast
  8. ↑ http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Construction-and-Extraction/Construction-and-building-inspectors.htm#tab-4
  9. ↑ http://www.scitraining.com/Home_Inspector/Career_Forecast
  1. ↑ http://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Building+Inspector&utm_source=adcenter&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=%2BBuilding%20%2BInspector%20%2Bjobs&utm_campaign=2-Query-1-Search-BMM
  2. ↑ http://jobs.monster.com/v-quality-assurance-q-building-inspector-jobs.aspx
  3. ↑ http://www.scitraining.com/Home_Inspector/Career_Forecast
  4. ↑ http://business.usa.gov/
  5. ↑ https://www.uschamber.com/
  6. ↑ http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Construction-and-Extraction/Construction-and-building-inspectors.htm#tab-5
  7. ↑ http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Construction-and-Extraction/Construction-and-building-inspectors.htm#tab-6

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 9 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 96,833 times.
24 votes - 84%
Co-authors: 9
Updated: January 28, 2023
Views: 96,833
Categories: Trade Occupations
Article SummaryX

It can take a lot of work to become a building inspector, but if you enjoy the construction field and are passionate about safety, it can be a rewarding career. Check community colleges and vocational schools in your area to find a training program that will help you become certified. Once you complete the program, take and pass a national certification exam, and check whether you’re required to have any other licenses to practice in your area. To gain field experience, try to find an entry-level position under an experienced inspector, and assist him until you’re competent enough to work on your own. For tips on starting your own inspection company, keep reading!

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