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

1. 1Pre-license course. Complete the required pre-license course. At least 40 hours of pre-registration instruction meeting the DSPS standards in Wis. Admin. Code SPS 131.405, including at least 20 hours of hands-on training in performing home inspections and drafting home inspection reports. The program must be taught by people or organizations with specialized education, training or experience in home inspection, and must give you a completion record showing the course name, provider, your name, completion date, location, hours and an instructor or provider signature. You attest to the instruction on Form 2466Attest with your application. The DSPS home inspector pages do not list approved schools, and course fees are set by the provider..
2. 2License fee. Pay the license or certificate fee ($51). Credential fee of $51, paid online with the application through LicensE at license.wi.gov. Applicants who qualify on income may pay 10% of it by requesting the Initial Credential Fee Reduction in the LicensE application..
3. 3Exam fee. Pay the exam fee. State law exam fee for the Wisconsin Home Inspector Statutes and Rules examination, paid to DSPS with the credential fee through LicensE. DSPS's current fee pages do not print the amount; LicensE calculates the total at the end of the application, or ask DSPS on (608) 266-2112..
4. 4Exam fee. Pay the exam fee ($225). National Home Inspector Examination fee, which the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors lists as $225 per attempt in most states. It is paid when you schedule with PSI, not to DSPS; confirm the amount when you register..
5. 5Trade exam. Pass the destination's trade exam. The National Home Inspector Examination, Part II of the Wisconsin examination, developed by the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors and scheduled through PSI Services on (800) 733-9267. It takes four hours and is scored on a scale of 200 to 800, with 500 needed to pass. Send DSPS proof of your passing score with the application..
6. 6Law / code exam. Pass a law, rules, or code exam. The Wisconsin Home Inspector Statutes and Rules examination, Part I of the Wisconsin examination, covering chapter 440 of the statutes and the home inspector rules. DSPS sends the exam name, password and application ID once your application is processed, and you take it through DSPS's ParTest Online system. The exam is online and untimed, you have three months to complete it, a score of 85% or better passes, and you may retake it as many times as you need. You must pass it before DSPS will issue the registration..
7. 7Background check. Complete a background check. No fingerprinting is required. You must satisfy DSPS that you have no pending criminal charge and no conviction whose circumstances substantially relate to the practice of home inspection, declaring any convictions or pending charges on DSPS Form 225X, Conviction and Pending Charges. An application may also be denied for fraud or misrepresentation..
8. 8Insurance. Carry the required insurance (if applicable). Wisconsin requires no errors and omissions insurance, general liability insurance, bond or minimum net worth for home inspector registration. State law does make void any contract term that disclaims your liability or limits damages for failing to meet the standards of practice, and gives clients two years from the inspection to sue, so coverage is a business decision rather than a licensing condition..

Published fees on this path total $276, excluding exam-vendor fees, bonds, and insurance.