How to Become A Home Inspector in North Dakota

North Dakota employs approximately 180 home inspectors according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $78,570 1. Nationally, home inspector employment is projected to grow -0.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 14,800 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a home inspector in North Dakota, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Home Inspector in North Dakota

How do I become a home inspector in North Dakota? North Dakota requires credentials such as Home Inspectors. The licensing authority is the ND Secretary of State 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in North Dakota? Yes. North Dakota has licensing or registration requirements for home inspectors. The ND Secretary of State oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.

What do home inspectors earn in North Dakota? The median annual wage for home inspectors in North Dakota is $78,570 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $55,150 and experienced professionals can earn $100,390 or more 1.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Licensing authority: ND Secretary of State
  • Median wage (North Dakota): $78,570 per year 1
  • Exam requirement: Third-party exam required

Home Inspector License Requirements in North Dakota

The ND Secretary of State oversees home inspector licensing in North Dakota 3.

License Types

LicenseRequirements
Home InspectorsFor more information about the licensing process, including application and renewal fees, please check with the licensing authority.

Additional Requirements

  • Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
  • Exam: Third-party exam required
  • Experience: No experience required

License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.

Home Inspector Wages by Metro Area in North Dakota

Construction and Building Inspectors Wages by Metro Area in North Dakota

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), construction and building inspectors wages in North Dakota vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Fargo60$78,880$78,160$63,630$98,530
Bismarck30$75,530$72,920$46,760$96,410

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Top Metros for Home inspectors in North Dakota

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest home inspector employment within North Dakota according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual Wage
Fargo60$78,880
Bismarck30$75,530

Explore home inspector programs in Fargo and Bismarck.

Explore More Trades in North Dakota

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for home inspectors in North Dakota? North Dakota currently employs approximately 180 home inspectors 1. Nationally, home inspector employment is projected to grow -0.8% from 2024 to 2034 2.

Can I work as a home inspector in North Dakota with an out-of-state license? Contact the ND Secretary of State for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in North Dakota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in North Dakota.

How much do home inspectors earn in North Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for home inspectors in North Dakota is $78,570, which is $6,450 above the national median of $72,120 according to BLS data 1.

Citations

Brad Fishbein Licensed Mold Assessor

Meet the author: Brad Fishbein is a Florida Licensed Mold Assessor and council-certified Microbial Investigator. He is the founder of TradeCareerPath.com and has completed over 5,000 mold inspections since 2009. Brad helps homeowners and tradespeople make informed decisions about mold, licensing, and skilled career paths.

References


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. ND Secretary of State - Licensing Information: https://sos.nd.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  4. CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)