A real estate inspector is a person who is licensed to perform an inspection of a property that is the subject of a real estate transaction. An inspector can work for either a buyer or seller and is required to follow a Standards of Practice, which provides the minimum standards an inspector must follow when inspecting a property. 

TREC issues three levels of inspector licenses: Apprentice Inspector, Real Estate Inspector , and Professional Real Estate Inspector.

Apprentice Inspector

An Apprentice Inspector is an entry level license. An Apprentice Inspector is required to train under the direct supervision of a Professional Real Estate Inspector. After gaining experience under this supervision and completing certain educational requirements, an Apprentice Inspector  can sit for the the exam to become a Real Estate Inspector.

Real Estate Inspector

A Real Estate Inspector is an intermediate level license.  To obtain this license, an applicant must be an Apprentice Inspector and meet certain experience and educational requirements while working as an Apprentice Inspector and pass an exam.  A Real Estate Inspector is also required to work under the indirect supervision of a Professional Real Estate Inspector.

Professional Real Estate Inspector

A Professional Real Estate Inspector is the highest level of inspector license available in Texas. To obtain this license, an applicant must be a Real Estate Inspector  and meet certain experience and educational requirements while working as a Real Estate Inspector and pass an exam.  A Professional Real Estate Inspector is not required to be sponsored  by another license holder to perform real estate inspection. 

Substitute Experience 

An applicant can also obtain a Real Estate Inspector or a Professional Real Estate Inspector license without going through the traditional apprenticeship path to licensure by completing the substitute experience requirements specified for that particular license. Please note that the initial qualifying education requirements for a Real Estate Inspector or a Professional Real Estate Inspector license must still be satisfied.