While a license is not required to become a home inspector in California, the home inspection profession is regulated by the state. Follow the steps below to become a legally compliant California home inspector.
The law requires California home inspectors to:
- Conduct a home inspection with the degree of care that a reasonably prudent home inspector would exercise
- Include an inspection of energy efficiency as part of the home inspection (if requested by the client)
- Perform a noninvasive physical examination of the pool or spa and dwelling for drowning prevention safety features
- Not perform repairs to a structure inspected by the home inspector (or company) in the past 12 months.
- Not contain contractual provisions that limit the liability of the home inspector to the cost of the home inspection
report
- Not limit a client's right to commence a legal action for breach of duty arising from a home inspection report,
for less than four years from the date of the inspection
- Comply with the provisions in Section 7197 of the California Business and Professions Code regarding unfair business practice for a home inspector
PHII's training complies with all California requirements for home inspectors. The home inspector profession
is regulated in California under Chapter
9.3 [195-7199]. For that reason it is important to understand the California laws pertaining to home inspection
before you start inspecting.
One change is Senate Bill No. 969, effective July 1, 2019, which applies to all new garage doors and garage door opener installations. Homeowners must install a battery backup opener when a new door is installed or when they replace their existing opener. Existing openers in use will not have to be replaced with battery backup openers unless the door is being replaced. Failure to follow this will result in a civil penalty of $1000 per opener installed and operational. (Since it is impossible to know if/when a garage door has been replaced or modified on an older home, home inspectors must be careful to document whether a home has or does not have a garage door opener(s) with a battery back-up after July 1, 2019.)
Another change is an amendment to the
California Swimming Pool Safety Act which took effect in 2018, which makes California the first state to require
home inspectors to report on the safety of Pools and Spas. Our free Home Inspection Report
Software has this California requirement incorporated into it, and information is included in the course. PHII
also offers a Pool and Spa Inspection Course that you can add-on for just $99, which is essential for every
California home inspector.
Realtors, lenders, home buyers, and home owners want to make sure a home inspector has been properly trained
and is compliant with all state requirements. PHII will give you a nationally recognized home inspector certification
and the credentials you need to become a successful home inspector in California. Becoming certified now may also
help you when new licensing laws or stricter regulations take effect.
Mold Course Add-On
Home Inspectors normally disclaim mold conditions and do not inspect for mold, but inspectors should be aware that
California passed SB
655 Housing Standards: Mold, effective since 2016. This new law makes California the first state to declare
mold an enforceable substandard housing condition if there is:
any visible or otherwise demonstrable mold growth, excluding the presence of mold that is caused by inappropriate
housekeeping practices or improper use of natural or mechanical ventilation.
In general terms, SB 655 requires landlords to provide housing that is free of mold unless the mold is due to the
renter's lack of cleaning. Many experts feel SB655 will force home inspectors to reduce their liability by being
trained in mold. PHII's exclusive 4-course mold training package which includes CRMI, CCMI, and CMR certifications,
can be added-on to your home inspector training for just $299 or purchased as separate courses. Mold training is
a valuable investment for your California home inspection business! The package includes:
California Real Estate Inspection Association
The California Real Estate Inspection Association is the symbol of real estate inspection professionalism in the State of California. PHII is an affiliate of CREIA and offers a course that is aligned with CREIA's Standards of Practice.
California Home Inspector Certification
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And over $1,000 in BONUSES!
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$199 Free AHI Membership!
$149 Free InspectHost Website!
$395 Free Advanced Course!
$399 Free Report Software!
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$100 OFF!
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All for Only $595
View Offer
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State Board:
California Contractors State License Board
Approved:
Yes
Training Provider:
Professional Home Inspection Institute
1533 NW 2nd St, Madison, SD 57042
http://www.homeinspectioninstitute.com
Toll Free 605-427-2908
Included in PHII's California
Home Inspector Training
Home inspection topics covered in our California home inspector certification program
Each home inspection lesson starts by listing the objectives you will learn, followed by a short practice quiz to check your prior knowledge, the lesson content, a review and a quiz. Below are the subjects you will master as you take the online home inspection training course. All course objectives are aligned with national standards of practice for home inspectors.
Introduction to Home Inspection Terminology
Limits and Exclusions for Home Inspections
Site, Grounds and Grading
Exterior and Structure
Roof Components
Plumbing Systems
Electrical Systems
Attic Inspection
Insulation & Ventilation
Interior Components
Bathrooms and Kitchens
Basement & Crawlspace
Heating and Air Conditioning
Garage and Carport
Conducting a Home Inspection
Home Inspection Business Start-Up
Mold and Allergens
Radon in Air and Water
Commercial Inspections
After passing PHII's home inspector exam and meeting any other state requirements, you will be well-qualified to perform residential home inspections in California.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our California
Home Inspection Training Program
How long does your home inspection course for California
take?PHII's California
home inspection course can be completed in 1-2 weeks based on your past level of experience. However,
you can take as much time as needed, and there are no limits on re-taking exams. The total course time for training in California
is broken up into hours for course instruction, field assignments, report writing and testing. PHII's California
course allows you to take your time or push yourself through quickly.
How much does the California
home inspection training cost?Professional Home Inspection Institute will teach you how to become a home inspector in California
for the lowest average tuition rate in the industry. The course comes complete with all required instructional materials including 100% online access, workbook, back-up CDs, DVDs, and other materials you need to become a home inspector in California
. You can view the current prices by clicking the link on this page or by calling 1-605-427-2908.
What is home inspection errors and omissions insurance?Home inspectors in California
should consider getting Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance, which is a professional liability policy covering the policyholder for negligent acts and omissions that occur during an inspection. A good Errors and Omissions liability policy can help limit your out-of-pocket expenses if you are named in a lawsuit in California
should a problem occur with a home inspection. Our coursework is approved for California
home inspector errors and omissions insurance by major insurance underwriters.
Why should I choose PHII for home inspection training?PHII gives California
residents interactive training, experienced support, a lot of value and the most affordable tuition
in the industry. Plus we offer a satisfaction guarantee. Over the years we have successfully trained thousands
of home inspectors throughout the U.S. and Canada, including many home inspectors in California. We have been there to support our students from California
during and after the training. We have up-to-date California home inspection course material,
and we provide a turn-key system for setting up your own home inspection business in California.
Questions about home inspection course enrollment?
Call us toll-free at 605-427-2908
PHII California Home Inspection School

Free 1-YEAR AHI Membership for California Home Inspector Graduates
As a gold-level AHI-accredited training provder, PHII can offer all California home inspector graduates a free 1-year membership in the North American Association of Home Inspectors (AHI), a national non-profit professional home inspector association.