Certifications, licenses, credentials… they all offer proof of skills, knowledge, and competency, but are completely different when it comes to proving that knowledge to future customers and being compliant with your state board. If you’re on your journey to being a home inspector, you may be wondering what the difference is between getting your home inspection certification versus becoming a licensed home inspector and how it may impact your future business.

Here’s what you need to know.

What’s a Home Inspection Certification?

A certification offers proof of learning, completion of course knowledge, and verification of skills. Typically, certifications are earned voluntarily and aren’t required to get a job, but may aid in getting new clients, getting a promotion, or adding skills to your resume. Certifications are great at highlighting the skills that may not be obvious on a diploma, for example.

In the home inspection world, certifications are granted after a student has completed an in-person course or an online course. You did the work, learned the trade, and we send you a certificate as proof of completion and learning. You can add that certificate to your resume, your website, and even your mobile wallet to use on job sites and with potential clients to show you know how to do the service they’re paying you for.

Certificates, whether they’re digital or paper, are no participation trophies. They communicate that you actually know what you say you know and if someone needs to verify that learning they can do so with your permission.

When you enroll in home inspection training through ICA, you’re given a certificate after completing your course. If your state requires you to become licensed, you will need to share this certificate with them as proof of your course completion and required educational hours. All home inspectors should get a home inspection certification but not all will need to be licensed.

What’s a Home Inspection License?

A license is given by a regulating body and grants permission for a specific individual to practice a career (like home inspection, medicine, law, nursing, etc.). The licensure process certifies that the person petitioning for a license has met the minimum education qualifications required in that field and has demonstrated mastery of skills required to successfully serve their community.

As a licensed home inspector, your clients can be assured that you not only have the skills needed to inspect their home, but that these skills have been validated by your state board- a powerful stamp of approval and one required by some, but not all, states.

To obtain a license, a professional typically must fulfill specific requirements outlined by their state. Requirements vary by state and may include completing an approved home inspection course and obtaining a home inspection certification, passing an exam, completing a specific number of inspections under the guidance of another inspector, or any combination of these or other requirements. It is wise to understand whether your state issues home inspection licenses and what your state-specific requirements are.

Do home inspectors need to be licensed?

In Texas, all home inspectors are required to be licensed by TREC (Texas Real Estate Commission). Texas Licensure The Texas licensure law, the Real Estate License Act, provides for the examination of home inspectors and established continuing education requirements. These and other requirements are contained in the Texas Administrative Code, Subchapter R, Rules . The law also requires home inspector applicants to work as apprentice inspectors under the supervision of a professional licensed home inspector.

TREC issues three levels of inspector licenses: Apprentice Inspector, Real Estate Inspector , and Professional Real Estate Inspector. Texas Valor Inspection Services inspectors are all fully licensed Professional Real Estate Inspectors, meeting the most stringent and professional level of their industry.