Home Inspector
Ride-Alongs
in Virginia
Build field experience through our 25-inspection ride-along program with licensed home inspectors across Northern Virginia. Contact our office to discuss your training background, availability and next steps.
Inspections
Mentorship
Counties
Supervised home inspection field experience
Ride along with licensed home inspectors on residential inspections in Northern Virginia. Learn how inspectors evaluate a property, document findings and explain them to clients. Your education and experience must meet the Virginia DPOR licensing qualifications; the Board determines whether your application qualifies.
Work alongside licensed inspectors to observe the inspection process, ask questions and build practical experience. Completing a ride-along program does not itself award a license or guarantee employment. Already licensed? View home inspector careers and apply through our employment form.
Arrange your ride-along experience
Discuss program details with our office, arrange available inspections and keep your experience records for your licensing application.
Contact the Office
Call or email the office using our contact page. Tell us about your training background and ask about program availability, pricing and required records.
Arrange Available Dates
Discuss available inspection dates and access arrangements with the office. Participation and timing are confirmed by the team.
Inspect & Learn
Shadow a licensed inspector through complete residential inspections. Observe, ask questions, and progressively take on more responsibility as your confidence grows.
Document Your Experience
Keep your inspection log and discuss the required experience-verification records with your supervising inspector. Submit the records with your other licensing requirements to DPOR for review.
What Virginia DPOR requires
Virginia uses education and experience qualifying points. Applicants need at least 15 points in total, including at least five education points and five experience points, plus the required examination and general licensing requirements.
Be at least 18 years old
Minimum age requirement for all DPOR home inspector applicants.
Meet the education-points requirement
A Board-approved 35-hour prelicense course earns five education points; a Board-approved 70-hour course earns 10. Other accepted education is listed in the current qualifying-points table.
ICA School PartnerPass the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE)
The standardized, nationally-recognized exam required by Virginia. Study materials are widely available.
Document qualifying experience
Five qualifying supervised home inspections earn one experience point; 25 can provide five points. Together with an approved 70-hour course, this is one 15-point combination. Other qualifying experience may count under the Board’s rules.
We Provide ThisObtain general liability insurance
Minimum $250,000 per occurrence. Proof of coverage is submitted with your DPOR application.
Submit your DPOR application
Use the current DPOR application and submit the required education, experience, examination, insurance and fee documentation. DPOR reviews applications and determines whether a license can be issued.
We Sign Your FormsReview the official general requirements and qualifying-points rules. The NRS specialty has separate requirements, including a Board-approved training module. Confirm your individual qualifications with DPOR.
Common questions
Timing depends on inspection availability and your schedule. Contact the office to discuss current dates and the number of inspections you plan to complete.
A Board-approved 35-hour course earns five education points and a 70-hour course earns 10. Applicants still need at least five experience points and 15 total points; contact the office about sequencing ride-alongs.
Under DPOR regulations, it means your supervising inspector must be physically present on the property at all times during the inspection. They're responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. You're never on your own.
Your supervising inspector can document the inspections you complete. Discuss the current experience-verification form and inspection log with the office before starting; DPOR decides whether the submitted records meet its requirements.
Across Northern Virginia — including Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, Arlington, and Alexandria. You'll see a real variety of property types and ages.
Virginia requires passing the NHIE for licensure. Contact the office about whether ride-alongs can begin before the exam and how to sequence your training.
You can review home inspector career opportunities and apply through our separate employment form. Program participation does not guarantee an interview, job offer or hiring.
Contact the office for current program pricing, availability and scope before arranging participation.
Ask about home inspector ride-alongs
Contact the office to discuss your training background, program pricing, available dates and experience documentation.
Looking for a home inspector role?
Already licensed or seeking employment? Review the role and application requirements, then use our separate home inspector employment form.
View Home Inspector CareersExplore county career pages in Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Prince William County and Arlington County.