South Dakota Home Inspection Pre-Licensing Courses

The Advanced Package has the education required to begin your home inspection career PLUS National Home Inspector Exam eTextbooks and our top selling advanced Marketing eTextbook to jumpstart your success.

Package includes:

• State-approved Professional Home Inspector Online Course providing a comprehensive review of the inspection process, standards of practice, and unlimited practice exams
• A Practical Guide to Home Inspection, 4th Edition eTextbook featuring easy technical explanations and photos
• 40+ hours of marketing, business building, and technical training courses for the most successful start to your inspection business
• Report Writing Software for delivering inspection reports to your clients
• Discounts on Errors & Omissions Insurance and ASHI membership
• Two NHIE Prep eTextbooks written by the creators of the National Home Inspectors Exam to help you study for the exam
• Marketing and Operating a Professional Home Inspection Business eTextbook providing AHIT's expert tips for launching a successful business

The Expert Package is the BEST choice and features the $225* Pass Payback. We’re so confident in our success path that if you complete all your education and the Exam Prep Edge program with AHIT, we’ll payback the cost of your exam, up to $225*.

Package includes:

• State-approved Professional Home Inspector Online Course providing a comprehensive review of the inspection process and standards of practice
• Exam Prep Edge by AHIT featuring expert-led study sessions available live online or on-demand, domain-specific exams, and unlimited mock exams
• A Practical Guide to Home Inspection, 4th Edition eTextbook featuring easy technical explanations and photos
• 40+ hours of marketing, business building, and technical training courses for the most successful start to your inspection business
• Report Writing Software for delivering inspection reports to your clients
• Discounted Errors & Omissions Insurance
• One-year membership with ASHI
• Two NHIE Prep eTextbooks written by the creators of the National Home Inspectors Exam to help you study for the exam
• Marketing and Operating a Professional Home Inspection Business eTextbook providing AHIT's expert tips for launching a successful business

This package also gives you the education you need to boost your business with more certifications so you can offer the most popular add-on services that homeowners and agents prefer. Increase your income level by adding these extra services - hundreds on each inspection.

• Commercial Certification Course that follows the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard E2018-15 and takes you through the vital information needed to become a commercial inspector
• Certified Radon Measurement Technician course with calculations sheet, client service agreement, and six Radon testing devices with analysis

*Exclusions and limitations apply. Click here for full details. 

The Starter Package has the education required to successfully begin your career as a home inspector.

Package includes:

• State-approved Professional Home Inspector Online Course providing a comprehensive review of the inspection process, standards of practice, and unlimited practice exams
• A Practical Guide to Home Inspection, 4th Edition eTextbook featuring easy technical explanations and photos
• 40+ hours of marketing, business building, and technical training courses for the most successful start to your inspection business
• Report Writing Software for delivering inspection reports to your clients
• Discounts on Errors & Omissions Insurance and ASHI membership

The 40-hour SD Professional Home Inspection Online Course is a comprehensive training program designed to prepare aspiring home inspectors for licensing exams (where required) and professional practice. This course equips learners with technical knowledge and the practical skills to evaluate residential properties, identify structural and system defects, and report findings with accuracy and integrity.

Beginning with an introduction to the home inspection profession and reporting standards, learners progress through systematic instruction on every major home system and component. Modules include detailed coverage of foundations, structures, roofs, ceilings, interiors, exteriors, plumbing, electrical, heating, and cooling systems, as well as site conditions. Each section combines foundational knowledge with real-world examples of common defects, illustrated through images and videos, ensuring learners not only recognize conditions but also understand their implications for safety, performance, and long-term maintenance.

Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on professional responsibilities, including pre-inspection agreements, clear communication with clients, and adherence to requisite standards of practice. By the conclusion, learners are fully prepared to identify defects, document them effectively, and communicate findings to clients in a professional report format. Topics include:

• Comprehensive coverage of all major home systems
• Foundations, basements, crawlspaces, and structural components
• Roof and ceiling systems, including framing and sheathing
• Exterior inspection of siding, windows, doors, and grading
• Interior inspection of walls, ceilings, floors, stairs, and finishes
• Plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical systems
• Site conditions, drainage, and environmental considerations
• Identification of common and critical defects
• Emphasis on safety and structural performance issues
• Real-world examples drawn from inspection scenarios
• Guidance on when to recommend further evaluation
• Pre-inspection agreements and inspection limitations
• Clear client communication and professional reporting
• Preparation for licensing exams and professional success
• South Dakota Codified Laws Title 36, Chapter 21C, Section 4(4) and Administrative Rule 20:74:02:06, outlining licensing, education, insurance, and enforcement requirements
• South Dakota’s Standards of Practice, established by the Real Estate Commission, which define the required inspection scope, reporting procedures, and professional conduct