When you are hiring a home inspector, you will see a lot of different credentials, designations, and certifications. It can be hard to know what is meaningful and what is just marketing. Here is an explanation of what the Certified Master Inspector designation actually requires and why it matters for your inspection.
What Is the Certified Master Inspector Designation?
The Certified Master Inspector (CMI) designation is awarded by the Master Inspector Certification Board, an independent nonprofit organization. It is widely recognized as one of the highest credentials available to professional home inspectors.
To earn the CMI designation, an inspector must complete a minimum of 1,000 paid inspections performed for real paying clients, complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of verifiable inspection-related education, pass an ethics review and commit to ongoing professional development, and have no founded complaints on file.
How Is This Different from Basic State Licensing?
State licensing requirements for home inspectors vary. Oregon requires certification through the Oregon Certified Home Inspector (OCHI) program administered through the Oregon CCB. Washington requires licensing through the Washington State Department of Licensing.
These state minimums represent a floor, not a ceiling. The minimum number of inspections or training hours required to become licensed in most states is far below what a CMI designation requires. A newly licensed inspector who completed the minimum coursework has done nothing wrong. But they have a fraction of the experience of a CMI with 1,000+ completed inspections.
What Does 1,000+ Inspections Actually Mean?
Pattern recognition. It means that an experienced inspector has seen the same problem type dozens or hundreds of times and can quickly assess its severity, likely cause, and typical repair cost. They know what is common versus unusual in their specific market. They know which problems tend to hide behind other problems.
Russ Motyko at Trusted Home Inspections has completed over 2,000 inspections in the Portland and Southwest Washington market in addition to 12 years of general contracting experience. He has also trained over 10 home inspectors and taught the Fundamentals of Home Inspection course for over 100 future inspectors.
Does the CMI Credential Cost More?
Not dramatically. The difference in inspection fee between a less-experienced inspector and a CMI is typically small. The difference in what you learn can be very large. Given that a home inspection protects a purchase that is likely your largest financial investment, the few extra dollars for the most experienced and credentialed inspector available is one of the best decisions you can make.
See our pricing page or schedule your inspection today.