Moving to Massachusetts as a home inspector: every state's rule

1. 1Pre-license course. Complete the required pre-license course. 75 hours of pre-licensure home inspection training from a board-approved provider, completed before you apply for the associate license. All of it must be taken in person; online courses are not accepted. Under 266 CMR 4.01 the course must include at least six hours on roofing, six on exterior cladding, six on masonry, nine on structural systems, nine on electrical systems, nine on plumbing systems, nine on heating and air conditioning, six on the board's regulations including the standards of practice, six on report writing, three on professional ethics and three on contract law, plus three hours of your choice. The board lists approved providers on its website, and course fees are set by the provider..
2. 2Trade exam. Pass the destination's trade exam. The National Home Inspector Examination, which Massachusetts requires for the associate license. It is given by PSI at test centers, lasts four hours, is closed book, and is scored from 200 to 800 with 500 needed to pass. You must wait 30 days between attempts..
3. 3Exam fee. Pay the exam fee ($225). Per attempt, paid to PSI when you register; the examination board lists $225 per test in most states and asks you to confirm the price when you register. The fee is nonrefundable and nontransferable and is forfeited if you do not test within one year of registering or miss your appointment without cancelling at least two business days ahead..
4. 4Application fee. Pay the application fee ($225). Associate Home Inspector application fee, paid online in ePLACE when you apply. The board charges the application fee and license fee together at submission. Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, and the Division's payment vendor adds a convenience fee on some online payments..
5. 5Application fee. Pay the application fee ($338). Home Inspector application fee, paid online in ePLACE when you apply for the full license after at least a year as an associate. The application fee and license fee are charged together at submission and are non-refundable and non-transferable..
6. 6Insurance. Carry the required insurance ($250,000). Errors and omissions insurance of at least $250,000 in the aggregate, required under Section 225 of Chapter 112 for associates and home inspectors alike. Proof is filed with each application, and you may not perform or supervise any inspection that the policy does not cover. A policy held by the company, partnership or franchise you are contracted to counts if it covers you by name. Cancellation or non-renewal does not take effect until the board has received ten days' written notice. Massachusetts requires no surety bond and no general liability insurance for home inspectors..
7. 7Continuing education. Complete continuing education. Certificates for 12 hours of continuing education from a board-approved provider, filed with the Home Inspector application. These hours are separate from the 75 pre-licensure hours..
8. 8Background check. Complete a background check. A notarized Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) authorization form, completed and signed by you and uploaded with each application, so the Division can check your Massachusetts criminal record. Good moral character is a condition of both licenses, and any past felony or misdemeanor conviction must be explained with certified court records. The board publishes no separate charge for the check..

Published fees on this path total $788, excluding exam-vendor fees, bonds, and insurance.