If inspecting commercial real estate is a career you are considering entering into, it’s important to know what type of education and training you have to have before applying for a license to be able to complete commercial real estate inspections. Each state has different training requirements and these requirements depend on the types of commercial real estate in the area (high rises or single story buildings), and environmental factors such as whether or not you reside in an earthquake zone.

Before beginning your commercial real estate inspection services education and training, look into what types of classes you need and other opportunities for continuing education. Consider these ideas:

1. Research your state’s requirements for obtaining a license to perform commercial property inspections.

2. Become a part of trade associations and utilize their continuing education classes and seminars.

3. Get the proper education to get your license to perform commercial real estate site inspections.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find out what you need to do in order to get a commercial property inspection license

State governments grant commercial property inspection licenses, so each state has its own requirements. Some require you to take specific courses by only approved schools and others will accept a certain number of education hours and you can take them as you see fit. It is important to check with your particular state, as you want to make sure that you don't waste time or money by not knowing ahead of time what you need in order to get a commercial real estate inspector license.

I recommend: Oregon Construction Contractor Board is a great resource if you are looking into what you need to do in order to become a commercial real estate inspector in the State of Oregon. Living in Wisconsin and looking to get your commercial real estate inspector’s license? Look around the website of Wisconsin Department of Commerce Safety and Buildings Division to get the pertinent information to set you on the right path.

Join associations for commercial property inspectors and benefit from their continuing education

Network with commercial real estate inspection companies at association events and classes and take advantage of having access to experienced inspectors. In addition to being a great networking resource, these associations offer a number of seminars, classes and meetings throughout the year, giving you access to numerous continuing education possibilities.

I recommend: National Association of Real Estate Inspection and Evaluation Services has a number of continuing education opportunities to take advantage of in many different areas of commercial real estate inspection. Consider enrolling in some of the commercial real estate seminars and classes offered by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors and learn from professionals in the field with many years of experience.

Take the applicable courses to offer commercial real estate inspection services

When you are ready to begin your commercial real estate inspection services education and training, it's time to find the right training program for you. There are online courses you can take, in-person seminars as well as at-home study options. Be sure to check with your state licensing board to make sure that whichever method of study you choose to pursue will meet their licensing standards.

I recommend: Trainingforinspectors.com has a number of seminars to take, including an Introduction to Commercial Inspections for those just starting out. Check out A Better School of Building Inspection. They have a study-at-home program that will get you up to speed on becoming a commercial real estate inspector -- on your own time.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check with current commercial real estate inspectors to see if there are any particular classes that they recommend you take which aren't required by the state in order to get your license.

Commercial property inspection is key to the commercial buying and selling process. Finding an honest and efficient commercial real estate inspector you can trust to get the job done makes any commercial property inspection run smoothly.

The commercial real estate inspections industry is surprisingly under regulated, and as a result, the way in which you go about choosing commercial real estate inspection services is crucial.

1. Research and review the company before you choose one and interview the potential candidates. Commercial real estate inspection companies abound, and stake a lot on their reputation.

2. Pay attention to credentials that would directly benefit the property to be inspected. A commercial real estate site inspection company with industrial properties expertise might be better equipped to check out an industrial site and catch problems that others inspectors would miss.

3. Get the full facts on what specific areas the inspector is going to check and what type of report they are going to generate.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Pick the best commercial real estate inspectors for the job

Interview the inspector before you hire them for their services. The inspector's job is to examine a piece of commercial piece of property and then write a report about the condition of that property and its major systems. You are hiring them for their experience and expertise, so make sure you ask plenty of questions before you agree to hire them.

I recommend: Find major commercial property inspectors through a directory like BestRealEstateDirectory.com. Then go to a major commercial property inspection company website, or even a commercial property inspection professional organization like the American Society of Home Inspectors' website and look for the page detailing the code of ethics for their inspectors. Print a copy of the code of ethics and turn these key points into the basis for your interview questions.

Learn more about the inspector's commercial property inspections experience

Ask for a portfolio detailing their years of experience in the field, the number, types, and locations of the commercial properties that they have inspected in the past. Also ask to see copies of professional licensing certificates, references and membership in professional associations, and any other qualifications that might lend to their inspection expertise.

I recommend: Check out what major commercial inspection service companies provide and the stand-out qualifications and lists of services to get a feel for the market and what you can expect for the money like at the McDargh Real Estate Services, Inc. website. Find state by state professional licensing regulations at Kaplan.

Get the whole story on the commercial property inspection report

Find out the manner in which the commercial property inspection report is to be written, and ask to see a sample report as well as a copy of the inspection company's current standards of practice. Some commercial property inspectors use a template or prefilled forms, while others write a sentence style report.

I recommend: View sample reports of different styles to compare to the sample report given to you by the commercial property inspector. Cleveland Commercial Property Inspection Pros offers a view of two different report styles at their website, as does Accuracy Assured Home Inspections, LLC.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look for commercial property inspectors with knowledge of city and state commercial building codes and regulations. As a potential buyer, their knowledge definitely gives you an edge in the decision making process.