Home inspectors in Arkansas must pass a national licensing examination.
Home inspectors play an important role in real estate transactions because they are responsible for inspecting the home and providing the buyer with a report listing suggested repairs and potential building code violations. Created by The Arkansas Home Inspectors Registration Act in 2003, the Arkansas Home Inspector Registration Board is responsible for protecting home buyers by creating and enforcing standards for home inspectors in the state. Once registered with the board, a home inspector must take annual continuing education courses as a condition of renewing his registration.
Instructions
1. Complete an 80-hour training course from an approved educational provider. Find a list of approved providers on the Arkansas Home Inspector Registration Board website (see Resources).
2. Pass the National Home Inspector Examination. A private testing company, PSI, administers the examination. Register online using the PSI website or by calling 800-733-9267. As of May 2011, the examination fee is $225. Scores for the examination rage from 200 to 800, and you must score at least 500 to pass.
3. Pass the Standards and Ethics Examination created by the American Society of Home Inspectors. Another testing company, Pearson VUE, administers this examination. Register for the examination from the Pearson VUE website or by calling 800-274-8359. The examination fee is $85 as of May 2011. The test has 50 questions with a possible score of simply "Pass" or "Fail."
4. Purchase a general liability insurance policy with a coverage limit of at least $100,000. The policy must list you as the insured and the Arkansas Home Inspector Registration Board as the certificate holder.
5. Submit an application to the Arkansas Home Inspector Registration Board. Download the application from the board's website. Include an original certificate of insurance and original certificates showing you completed the training course and passed the two examinations. Remit payment for the registration fee, which as of May 2011, is $250 if you submit the application before July 1 and $375 if after that date. The board will issue your license after it approves your application.
Tags: Arkansas Home, Home Inspector, Arkansas Home Inspector, Home Inspector Registration, Inspector Registration
