Calls Grow for Home Inspection Certification Reform After Repeated Exam Failures

Written by:

Rudi Davis

Date:

07 Oct 2025

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A leading industry professional is sounding the alarm about systemic issues in home inspector certification, pointing to troubling patterns of repeated exam failures that he says indicate fundamental problems with current training approaches.

“I’ve counted people who’ve taken the exam 3, 4, 5, 7 times and still have yet to pass,” says Ditanyan Sye, Certified Master Inspector at DS Home Inspection Services and instructor at College of Southern Maryland, highlighting a concerning trend in professional certification that he argues needs immediate attention.

The Certification Challenge

According to Sye, who teaches pre-licensing courses and provides exam preparation coaching, the high failure rate isn’t just about individual preparation, it suggests deeper issues with how professionals are being prepared for certification.

“I’m looking to help fill that void for them, to really get them practical ways to understand some of the things that they may have been doing incorrect,” Sye explains, noting that traditional training approaches often fail to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

From Student to Teacher

Sye’s perspective is uniquely informed by his own journey through the certification process. After failing his first attempt at the national exam in 2018, he developed a systematic approach to exam preparation that not only led to his own success but now forms the foundation of his coaching program.

“I have some coursework that I created myself, to help people overcome the barriers,” Sye says, describing his efforts to address the specific challenges that cause many aspiring inspectors to struggle with certification.

A New Approach to Professional Development

Drawing on his background in education as a former teacher and administrator, Sye is working to reform how inspection professionals are trained and certified. His approach emphasizes practical application and real-world experience over mere theoretical knowledge.

Through his training programs, Sye aims to establish new standards for professional development in the inspection industry. This work, he argues, is essential for maintaining high professional standards while making certification more accessible to qualified candidates.