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

1. 1Pre-license course. Complete the required pre-license course. At least 80 hours of instruction directly related to performing professional home inspections, under 103-7-4.1.b, on an initial home inspection course the State Fire Marshal has approved for West Virginia. The Fire Marshal's list says applicants must take the course specific to West Virginia and names eight providers; course fees are set by the providers. You file proof of completion with the application..
2. 2Trade exam. Pass the destination's trade exam. The National Home Inspector Examination, offered by the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors and given at PSI test centers. It is the only examination on the Fire Marshal's approved list, and you file verification of your passing score with the application. You register with the exam provider, not with the Fire Marshal..
3. 3Exam fee. Pay the exam fee ($225). Paid when you register for the National Home Inspector Examination. The Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors lists $225 per attempt in most states and asks candidates to confirm the price when they register; exam fees are nonrefundable..
4. 4Application fee. Pay the application fee ($25). Application fee of $25.00 under 103-7-7.3, forfeited if the application is denied for failing to meet the minimum qualifications. It is paid together with the certification fee as a single $150.00 check or money order payable to WVSFMO; cash is not accepted..
5. 5License fee. Pay the license or certificate fee ($125). Certification fee of $125.00 under 103-7-7.1, included in the $150.00 payment sent with the application. The Fire Marshal issues the certificate once the application is approved and this fee has been received..
6. 6Background check. Complete a background check. A state and national criminal history check under W. Va. Code 15A-10-5(b) and 103-7-4.1.e: fingerprints examined by the West Virginia State Police Criminal Investigation Bureau and the FBI, at your own cost. The Fire Marshal's office does not process fingerprint cards, so you use a third-party vendor such as IdentoGo (1-855-766-7746); the results are sent to you, and you file them with the application. The Fire Marshal does not publish the vendor's fee. The application also asks about felony convictions or pleas, pending criminal charges, and any complaint, discipline or license denial as a home inspector in any jurisdiction..
7. 7Insurance. Carry the required insurance ($250,000). General liability insurance of at least $250,000 under 103-7-4.1.d, shown by a certificate of insurance filed with the application. It may be your own policy or your employer's; if it is your employer's, you also file a letter of employment stating that the company carries the required coverage. You must keep the policy in force and send proof of each renewal to the Fire Marshal's office before it expires. West Virginia does not require errors and omissions insurance or a surety bond..
8. 8Business license. Obtain a business license ($30). A copy of a valid West Virginia business registration certificate from the State Tax Division, required by 103-7-5.1.b; the application also asks for your West Virginia Tax ID number. Anyone doing business in West Virginia must register before starting, and the registration fee is $30.00..

Published fees on this path total $375, excluding exam-vendor fees, bonds, and insurance.