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California Home Inspector School Online
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California Home Inspector Certification Requirements
There is currently no state license required to become a home inspector in California. However, in a rapidly growing market with rising competition, earning your home inspector certification from PHII sets you apart. It equips you with the skills to identify safety hazards and red flags with confidence—giving buyers peace of mind and giving you a professional edge.
California Training Packages
Professional $499
Preferred $699
Premium $899
Pinnacle Package 
Pinnacle $2,899
J. Leon
Local Guide · 76 reviews · 7 photos
I've been doing building/home and pest inspections using PHII for over a decade and am 100% satisfied with using their services. Very helpful personnel, Ross and Matt thank you.
More Reviews
Sean Johnson
2 reviews
PHII was just what I needed! I am a contractor in Florida and needed this pre-license training to get my home inspector license. I did the 120 hour online course plus wind mitigation, took the FABI exam and passed it and got my Florida home inspection license all within the same month! I want to thank PHII for offering an affordable online course and helping me get started! Robert was extremely helpful for the Advanced lessons. I would recommend this online training to anyone over the high cost and time for the "other guys" programs. I continue to have success as a home inspector.
Carlo Montecillo
Local Guide · 9 reviews · 9 photos
I recently completed the Basic Home Inspection course with PHII, and I—m really glad I chose them for my training.
The materials were clear, practical, and easy to follow — even for someone coming in with a background more focused
on property management. What I appreciated most was how the course was structured to build confidence step by step. The quizzes, videos,
and examples really helped prepare me for the final exam, which I passed on my first try. I now feel equipped to
move forward professionally as a certified inspector. Highly recommend PHII for anyone looking to get started in the home inspection industry. Great value, solid support, and a great stepping stone into the field.
Wade Hunsinger
3 reviews
I have been using PHII for my inspection training and software for several years and really like how helpful everyone there is when we call. I would recommend anyone who would like to become an inspector check them out.
Carlos Sanchez
1 review
I really appreciate how much I was able to learn in the process to become a Home Inspector, with a lot of information, very specific and helpfulness to the point that I have already gotten my license in my state. The good thing about PHII is that they offer the basic and advance courses that is more than enough to be able to perform with professionalism, accuracy and diligence.
Jeff Mason
2 reviews
PHII was the second school I tried, and I wish I gone there first. Thanks for helping me to become a home inspector in northeastern PA! You were instrumental in helping me understand and navigate the confusing compliance laws that make it difficult to start inspecting here. The PHII course was detailed, thoughtful, and you personally answered every question I had. That was 2 months ago. Since then I have gone through the required process including association membership. I would recommend PHII to anyone who is a self-starter and is trying to avoid the high cost and disappointment that I experienced from others.
California Rules & Regulations
- 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. PHII also offers a Pool and Spa Inspection Course that you can add-on, which is essential for every California home inspector. Home Inspection Report Creator, which is included with PHII's training, has California's pool safety requirement incorporated into it.
Additional Steps to Advance Your California Home Inspection Career
1) Join a Professional Home Inspector Association. PHII pays for your first year of membership in the North American Association of Home Inspectors (AHI). You can also join a state home inspector association such as the California Real Estate Inspection Association (CREIA) that can help you with networking opportunities. PHII is an affiliate of CREIA.
2) Apply for the C.A.R. Home Inspector Certification Program, where you can join a list of certified home Inspectors used by the California Association of Realtors. (PHII's 120-hours of home inspection training fully qualifies you to apply)
3) Pass the National
Home Inspector Examination (NHIE). PHII's training fully prepares you. Passing the NHIE will help you stand out as a trusted industry expert in California. The NHIE is a challenging 200-question proctored exam that is required by some states. Veterans are eligible for reimbursement through the GI Bill.
4) Join a Multi-Inspector Company in California to gain experience, or start your own business. Established home inspection companies in California are always looking for new home inspectors to work for them. Businesses provide benefits, professional insurance and home inspection scheduling.
5) Register Your Own Business in California and obtain general liability insurance and/or errors and omissions (E&O) insurance. Home inspector insurance policies are affordable and will protect you against career-ending lawsuits. Build your own home inspection business in California and enjoy the success that follows!
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 law makes California the first and only 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 offers a mold inspection training package that is a valuable investment for California home inspectors.
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.
State Board:
California Contractors State License Board
Approved: Yes
Certification Course Length: 90-Hours
Welcome to PHII's California Home Inspection School—Your Gateway to a Rewarding Career. Our expert instructors bring real-world experience and a singular focus: helping you build a thriving career in home inspection. Through nationally certified coursework, online modules, testing, and hands-on field study, you'll gain the essential skills and knowledge required to become a licensed or compliant California home inspector. Our curriculum aligns with national standards of practice, ensuring you're fully prepared to meet professional expectations.
At PHII, we make mastering home inspection straightforward and accessible through a structured, step-by-step training process. Whether you choose our online or classroom format in California, you'll receive the same comprehensive curriculum—including field inspection assignments, report writing exercises, and hands-on activities. Plus, we provide free home inspection report software so you can practice creating professional reports as you learn.
Our experienced, on-site instructors are always available to guide you. You'll also gain specialized knowledge in mold and allergens, radon detection, and commercial inspections—valuable skills that can help you expand your services and grow your business in California. PHII's California online home inspection course offers all the benefits of our classroom training at a significantly lower price. Our proven interactive learning system includes:
- Lesson pre-tests and post-tests
- Flash cards and practice quizzes
- Audio and video instruction
- Real-time feedback
- Personalized support from instructors
- Self-Paced Learning—With Real-World Application
Each lesson includes interactive flash cards and quizzes that reinforce your understanding, offer instant feedback, and help you correct mistakes. Our system tracks your progress, allowing you to pause and resume anytime. For hands-on experience, you can complete field activities on your own home or any residential property in California—bringing your learning into the real world.
California Course Lessons
Each lesson in the California Home Inspection Certification course is designed to help you master essential subjects that align with nationally recognized standards of practice for professional home inspectors. Upon successfully completing PHII's home inspection exam—and fulfilling any additional state requirements—you'll be fully equipped to conduct thorough, compliant residential inspections throughout California with confidence and credibility.
- Introduction to Home Inspection Terminology -Overview of the common language used throughout the home inspection industry by licensed home inspectors
- Limits and Exclusions for Home Inspection - Pre-inspection agreements and liability during a home inspection, understanding home inspector responsibilities
- Site, Grounds and Grading - Components outside the home including paving, vegetation, ground slope and drainage, decks, steps and porches that apply to a home inspection
- Exterior and Structure - Foundation, chimneys, trim and siding, doors and windows, eaves, soffits, and down spouts
- Roof Components - Types and styles, roof materials and home inspection methods, flashing and gutters, skylights for a typical home inspection
- Plumbing Systems - Water and fuel service type, size and location, waste and vent pipes, kitchen and bathroom faucets and fixtures, water heaters
- Electrical Systems - Service entrance location and capacity, inspecting panels and branch circuits, wire gauges, determining grounding and bonding, ground fault interrupters (GFIs), outlets, fixtures, switches and smoke detectors
- Attic Inspection - Attic access methods, roof framing and sheathing, insulation types, ventilation methods, roof vent pipes, defects and moisture issues
- Insulation & Ventilation - R Factor, vapor retarders, crawl space and below-grade ventilation, theory of exhaust and plumbing ventilation as it applies to home inspection
- Interior Components - Home inspection methods and standards for walls and rooms, bedroom egress, windows, types of doors, stairs and railing, defects, fire places.
- Bathrooms and Kitchens - Toilets, sinks, ventilation, bathtubs, showers, flooring, GCFI protection, defects and moisture damage, cabinets, counters, flooring, built-in appliances following home inspection industry standards
- Basement & Crawlspace - Type and entry methods, evaluating foundation and supports, stairs, flooring, walls, ceiling, exposed insulation, vapor barriers, evaluating joists, trusses, sub floors, floor drains and sump pumps
- Heating and Air Conditioning - Location(s), fuel type(s), age, capacity, distribution methods, heat exchangers, combustion venting, humidifiers, air filters, evaporator and condenser coils, supplemental heat, electrical disconnect home inspection standards
- Garage and Carport - Home inspection standards for identifying structure type, attached, detached, door openers, floors ceiling walls, ventilation, safety features, separation wall, door to a living space, ventilation, GFI protection
- Conducting a Home Inspection - Pre home inspection agreements, professional behavior, procedures with clients, home inspection methodology, home inspection tools, written report, follow-up
- Home Inspection Business Start-Up - Registration for home inspection business, website set-up, payment processing, pricing services, business vehicle, ladders and basic tools, electronic tools, sales tax and write-offs, filing requirements, state tax I.D. number, records, profit, cash flow, advertising, brochures, tracking ads, customer service
- Mold and Allergens - Mycotoxins and pathogenic molds, sources and outbreaks, collecting samples during home inspection, client agreements, findings, common allergens, health effects, mitigation procedures, how to become a mold certified home inspector
- Radon in Air and Water - Properties of radon, health effects, how radon enters buildings and water supplies, measurement, elevated/unsafe levels, seasonal effects, mitigation methods, how to become a radon certified home inspector
- Commercial Inspections - Types of commercial home inspections, challenges, ASST. E2018-01 guidelines, property condition assessment (CPA) reports, walk-through survey, home inspector vs. a field observer, entering the market, referrals, liability, how to become a home inspector with commercial certification
- Report Writing, Agreements and More - How to complete and present a professional home inspection inspection using a pre-inspection agreement, checklist, and tools of the trade. How to market your services and expand your business in California
Home Inspector FAQs
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 the certification exam. 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 money do California home inspectors make?
Professional home inspectors in California earn a solid income, with salaries varying based on experience, location, and certifications. The cost of a single home inspection typically ranges from $400 to $600, depending on the location and property size. Most homes sold this year in California are expected to undergo a pre-closing home inspection, reflecting strong demand for qualified home inspectors.
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 resulting from a home inspection. Our coursework is approved for California home inspector errors and omissions insurance by major insurance underwriters.
Why Choose PHII for Home Inspection Training in California?
PHII offers California residents affordable, expert-backed training to become certified home inspectors. Our interactive program includes hands-on practice, instructor support, and a satisfaction guarantee. You'll learn what to inspect, how to report it professionally, and meet California's standards—all on your schedule, from any device. After graduation, we continue to support you with a complete system to launch and grow your inspection business with confidence. With PHII, you get the tools, training, and ongoing support to succeed.
What is Included in the California Home Inspector Package?
The Professional Package includes the online Home Inspector Course for California with online library of inspection documents and videos. The training is 100% online, no materials are shipped. Optional back-up materials and courses/videos on USB stick are available for an extra fee. Bonuses include Home Inspection Report Creator, Advanced Home Inspection Course, InspectHost business website and 1-year AHI National Association membership for California home inspector graduates.
Free AHI Membership for California Home Inspector Graduates
As a gold-level AHI-accredited training provder, PHII can offer all California home inspection course graduates a free $289 membership in the North American Association of Home Inspectors (AHI), a national non-profit professional home inspector association.
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