Education · 1 of 5

The path

Two routes in: years on the tools, or a short college program. Both end at the same certification exams.

1. 1

   High school diploma or GED (General Educational Development) test

   Grade 12

   Take every shop, drafting and math class your school offers.

2. 2

   Get construction experience

   3 to 5 years

   Work as a carpenter, electrician, plumber or concrete finisher. Employers want somebody who has actually built what they are inspecting.

3. 3

   Or take a building inspection program

   1 to 2 years

   A 2-year associate degree or a shorter certificate at a community college. Some programs run fully online.

4. 4

   Pass certification exams

   Weeks of study each

   Computer-based code exams run by the International Code Council. Residential building inspector is the usual first one.

5. 5

   Get hired and add certifications

   Ongoing

   Start as a residential inspector, then add commercial, mechanical, electrical and plans examiner tickets to become a combination inspector.