How to Become A Home Inspector in Virginia
Virginia employs approximately 6,550 home inspectors according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $75,660 1. The state’s concentration of home inspector jobs is 1.69x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Virginia, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About How to Become a Home Inspector in Virginia
How to become a home inspector in Virginia? Virginia requires credentials such as Home Inspector. The licensing authority is the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors 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 Virginia? Yes. Virginia has licensing or registration requirements for home inspectors. The Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do home inspectors earn in Virginia? The median annual wage for home inspectors in Virginia is $75,660 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $50,090 and experienced professionals can earn $104,480 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: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors
- Median wage (Virginia): $75,660 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Home Inspector License Requirements in Virginia
The Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors oversees home inspector licensing in Virginia 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Home Inspector | The Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors licenses individuals engaged in asbestos remediation, lead-based paint remediation and renovation, and home inspection. |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Home Inspector Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
Construction and Building Inspectors Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), construction and building inspectors wages in Virginia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) |
Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 4,060 | $80,150 | $85,180 | $58,460 | $116,510 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 1,260 | $64,710 | $69,210 | $49,810 | $91,230 |
| Richmond | 1,140 | $70,790 | $75,950 | $49,580 | $120,390 |
| Roanoke | 230 | $64,680 | $69,590 | $47,250 | $99,740 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 110 | $56,820 | $59,430 | $39,400 | $77,830 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | 110 | $62,660 | $66,300 | $47,450 | $92,650 |
| Charlottesville | 100 | $69,380 | $70,470 | $49,160 | $96,300 |
| Lynchburg | 100 | $64,000 | $66,130 | $45,260 | $89,160 |
| Winchester | 90 | $66,220 | $73,850 | $47,380 | $111,530 |
| Harrisonburg | 60 | $60,930 | $65,460 | $45,650 | $90,330 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft | 40 | $72,070 | $71,370 | $47,590 | $98,420 |
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 .
Top Metros for Home inspectors in Virginia
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest home inspector employment within Virginia according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 1,260 | $64,710 |
| Richmond | 1,140 | $70,790 |
| Roanoke | 230 | $64,680 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | 110 | $62,660 |
| Charlottesville | 100 | $69,380 |
Explore home inspector programs in Virginia Beach, Richmond, and Roanoke.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for home inspectors in Virginia? Virginia currently employs approximately 6,550 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 Virginia with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Virginia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Virginia.
How much do home inspectors earn in Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for home inspectors in Virginia is $75,660, which is $3,540 above the national median of $72,120 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
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
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Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors - Licensing Information: https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/ALHI/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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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.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / 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) |