This article is intended to help you understand the requirements of the home inspection licensing process, as well as prepare you for the upcoming Platform Training Class.
During the week of the Platform Training Class, we’re going to build on the knowledge that you’ve gained during the 90-hour home inspection training class that you’ve just completed. We’re going to take an in-depth look at the systems and components that you’ve be inspecting, go over the rules and laws of Louisiana that regulate our industry, as well as prepare you to take the National Home Inspection Exam. Students that attend our Platform Training Class will also take the Standards of Practice and Report Writing Seminar (at no additional charge), which is required to get your home inspection license.
This first thing to know is that there are two important items that you should have already completed prior to taking the Platform Training Class. You should have already filed your Background Check with the LSBHI (Louisiana State Board of Home Inspectors) and should have completed a state certified home inspection training course of at least 90 hours.
If you have not yet filed your Background Check, it needs to be completed ASAP!
If you haven’t yet filed your Background Check with the LSBHI, reach out to the LSBHI COO, Morgan Spinosa, at 225-248-1334 or lsbhi@lsbhi.la.gov to let her know what training you’ve already completed and arrange to deliver your Background Check to her office. Information regarding the Background Check and downloadable forms can be obtained on the LSBHI’s website.
If you’ve already finished a 90-hour home inspection training class, the school you attended should have provided you with a certificate of completion. A copy of this certificate will need to be included in your application to the LSBHI (which will be submitted once all of your training has been completed). A copy of this certificate also needs to be filed with the AIA (American Inspection Academy) prior to beginning the Platform Training Class. If you have not yet done so, please forward a copy of the 90-hour certificate to Joe@AmericanInspectionAcademy.com.
The state requires a minimum of 30 hours of platform training as part of the educational process. The AIA Platform Training Class exceeds the state minimums in every possible way! We’re going to attempt to combine a lifetime of learning into a one week class, focusing on the most important things you need to know to become a Professional Home Inspector.
The classes will be held from approximately 8am -6pm each day, Monday through Thursday. The Standards of Practice and Report Writing Seminar is typically held on Friday at the LSBHI office in Baton Rouge, and goes from 9am – 3pm.
Our classes are held at a variety of locations. Monday will be a day of field training on some residential houses for sale in the New Orleans North Shore area, where we will focus on the processes and procedures involved in performing a home inspection. We will be alone for these inspections, so feel free to ask questions and take notes. I will let you know the addresses of the homes to be inspected the weekend before the class starts. You will need a flashlight for the inspection, as well as a pair of gloves (for protection when walking on the roof). If the houses are raised, we will be crawling under them during the inspection, so it would be a good idea to bring some coveralls, gloves, and extra shoes. (I will let you know if we’ll be inspecting raised houses when I email over the addresses the weekend before class starts).
Tuesday and Wednesday’s training will take place at 8550 United Plaza Blvd, Suite 702 BR LA 70809. (Please park in the lot at the rear of the building). We will be examining and inspecting all the systems of a residential structure using residential components and equipment in order to help familiarize you with the items that you’ll be inspecting in the field.
The systems and items that we’ll be covering during the Platform Training Class include:
- Structural
- Exterior
- Roofing
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Air Conditioning
- Heating
- Interior
- Insulation
- Ventilation
- Appliances
- Garages
- Fireplaces
- Standards of Practice
- Code of Ethics
- Mold
Thursday’s class includes a field trip to the LA House on LSU’s campus, that’s used to educate their construction students. There we will see many different facets of building construction. Check out their website for more information.
Thursday’s session also includes an EPA mold class. This class will provide a basic knowledge of mold and the rules and laws of Louisiana as they relate to home inspectors and mold. The certificate of completion from this class may be needed for you to be able to get mold coverage included with your home inspection insurance policy (recommended even if you are not planning on doing mold inspections).
Friday’s session will include the mandatory Standards of Practice and Report Writing Seminar that’s needed for licensing. The class will be held at the LSBHI office: 5211 Essen Ln Suite 9 Baton Rouge, LA 70809, and will run from 9am to 3pm. This class will examine, in depth, the rules and laws of Louisiana surrounding the home inspection industry, as well as the process of writing an effective inspection report.
The copy of the certificate of completion from the Standards of Practice and Report Writing Seminar will need to be included in your application to the LSBHI (which will be submitted once all of your training has been completed).
There will be coffee, water and snacks available for breakfast each day, and we will order delivery for lunch, so that we can work as much information as possible into the week. You are welcome to bring any additional items that you would like to eat or drink during the class sessions. The only thing you have to bring is note taking items (pen & paper), a flashlight and a pair of gloves for the inspections. We will be going over many of the different situations that you will encounter in the field, and the class is very laid back, so feel free to ask questions.
Below is the full list of steps required to become a Louisiana licensed home inspector:
- Background check and finger printing
- Minimum of 90-hour training class
- Minimum of 30-hour platform training class
- Pass the National Home Inspection Exam
- Minimum of 10 live training inspections
- SOP and Report Writing Seminar
- Obtain insurance
- Submit application to LSBHI
Additional information regarding the licensing process can be found on the LSBHI website.
I typically equate the home inspection training process to a medical school student working to become a doctor. A student goes to college to learn how to pass their medical licensing exams and then goes through residency to learn how to practice medicine and become a doctor. A home inspection student goes through the 90 hour school to learn how to pass the National Home Inspection exam, and then goes through platform and live training to learn how to perform an inspection and become a Professional Home Inspector.
We take pride in preparing our students for the rigors they’ll face as home inspectors,
going above and beyond the state minimums in everything we do.
You won’t find a more comprehensive training program anywhere!
The cost of the Platform Training Class is $1299. A non-refundable down payment of $200 is due to hold your spot in the class, with the balance due at the end of the class, payable by cash, check or credit card. As the number of students is limited by state law, a down-payment is necessary to ensure attendance. (Thank you if you have already paid your deposit.)
We also offer discounted live field-training inspections for students of our school, with some of the most experienced trainers in the state providing a wide range of educational opportunities. More information about our live training will be discussed during the Platform Training Class.
More information about the class will be sent to you by email. If you have any immediate questions regarding our training programs, please contact Joe for assistance.
American Inspection Academy
Professional education for Professional Inspectors.
If you would like to check out some additional information about becoming a home inspector, check out these articles:
A Shock to the System. How Starting a New Business Can Drive You Crazy
6 Common Mistakes of New Business Owners
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Thanks, Joe
