Licensing of home inspectors only sets a minimum standard. Much like being up to code, any less would be illegal. Imaginary people, children, psychics (who claim to "sense" if a house is OK) and even pets can be home inspectors. Other home inspection associations have no entrance requirements and worse, encourage their candidates to go out and perform actual inspections for poor, unsuspecting consumers as the only way to achieve full membership. NACHI finds this practice unconscionable. That is why NACHI front-ends its membership requirements. We turn down more than 1/2 the inspectors who want to join because they can't pass our exam or fulfill our membership requirements.
NACHI inspectors:
Have to pass NACHI's Online Inspector Examination every year with a score of 80 or better. (This general, not association-specific exam is open and free to all).
Have to complete NACHI's online Ethics Obstacle Course. (This open book Ethics course is open and free to all).
Have to take NACHI's online Standards of Practice Quiz (This open book Standards of Practice quiz is open and free to all).
Have to maintain a member Online Continuing Education Log (free) as per NACHI's Continuing Education Policy.
Have to (if never performed a home inspection for a fee) submit 4 mock inspections to NACHI's Report Review Committee (free) before performing their first home inspection for a client.
Have to (within 30 days after joining) complete NACHI's comprehensive online Standards of Practice course (free).
Have to (within 45 days after joining) complete NACHI's comprehensive online Electrical course (free) including all the quizzes within and pass its final exam.
Have to (within 60 days after joining) complete NACHI's comprehensive online Roofing course (free) including all the quizzes within and pass its final exam.
So the next time you need to refer your clients to home inspectors, make sure they are members of NACHI and never use a candidate or associate of any association. NACHI, America's elite home inspection association.