Virginia Certified Home Inspectors

Homebuyers:

Welcome to the unofficial Virginia Certified Home Inspectors Website. This site is not sponsored by the commonwealth. It is provided to serve as a tool to be used in the selection of a credentialed home inspector.

Effective July 1, 2003 the Commonwealth provides an optional official credential for home inspectors. There is no requirement that home inspectors become certified or that homebuyers retain a certified home inspector. The law does however require that any person holding himself out to be certified or to perform a certified home inspection, must be certified by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulations (DPOR).

A little history
We tend to think of home inspection as a relatively young profession, but in reality, people have been seeking advise on home purchase decisions since forever. Prior to the 1970s though, that consultant was usually a father, brother in law, or some other friend or relative who had some background or experience in real estate or construction. But those were simpler times. Following a strong post World War II nationwide demographic shift in the home buying population came a new paradigm. People traded farm life for the suburbs. Blue collar workers sent their children to college and raised the next generation of upwardly mobile professionals. Informed by the adage,"Knowledge is Power," this new generation was much more comfortable paying a consultant to empower them with knowledge than their parents had been. And what more important time than immediately prior to the largest most important purchase decision they would likely ever make. Home purchase decisions include long-term financial, life-style, educational, and community committments.

In the early 1970s a few pioneers hung out their shingles and began to fill the information void. By the mid '70s, the home inspection profession was growing strong as more people began to realize the value of the wisdom of an experienced professional. In the late '70s a forward thinking group of home inspectors realized the need for a professional organization. In 1977, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) was born. Soon after, a sister organization, the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) came into existence. These two organizations existed in relative harmony for nearly two decades. Each defined itself and its mission with clearly written Standards of Practice and Codes of Ethics.

Through the 1990s, ASHI did a very good job of outreach to the real estate community and somewhat successfully established itself as the standard bearer for the profession in most metropolitan markets. NAHI however, continued to grow in numbers as it succeeded in differentiating itself from ASHI. A healthy competition for membership and recognition by the public ensued.

Absent a state issued license or certification, membership in a national organization became the accepted credential nationwide. In order to gain full membership in ASHI, a candidate was required to illustrate a minimal level of practical knowledge of residential construction methods and materials through an entrance exam. He had to have some minimal level of experience and was required to abide by a comprehensive set of standards and ethics. NAHI established a credential in excess of membership. The NAHI, Certified Residential Inspector (CRI) credential was, on paper, similar in scope to ASHI membership.

In 1999 the Virginia Association of Realtors (VAR) lobbied the Virginia legislature to impose a home inspector license law. DPOR responded by expressing little concern about the profession sighting the absence of complaints and law suits. The profession had apparently, upto that point, done a good job of policing itself. In 2000 home inspectors operating in Virginia mobilized, creating a statewide organization, the Virginia Association of Real Estate Inspectors (VAREI). Under continued pressure from VAR and with the guidance of VAREI, the Virginia legislature did enact a voluntary certification law. This law went into effect on July 1, 2003.

Virtual Inspection Take this tour prepared by ASHI and learn about home inspections and what inspectors look for.

This website is designed to aid in the selection of a Virginia Certified Home Inspector. Its menu is easy to navigate.

The Home page is a simple search tool that allows one to find certifed inspectors who serve particular jurisdictions.
The Board page provides basic background and contact information on the Asbestos, Lead, & Home Inspectors Board of the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR).
The Certification page explains the regulations and references sources in the Code of Virginia and the Regulations promulgated by the board.
The Resources page is provided as a tool for sharing information and resources that may be of interest to a homebuyer or seller.
The is the Homeowners page.
The Realtors page educates real estate professionals on the functionality of the site.
The Inspectors page provides resources for home inspectors operating in the commonwealth.
The Contact page provides E-mail links to the webmaster and to the two individual home inspector representatives to the DPOR Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors.

— The Unofficial Virginia Certified Home Inspectors Website —

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