The National RV Inspectors Association (NRVIA) awarded its first master certified RV inspector credential to Illinois-based Rob Wilhelm.
Wilhelm owns Professional RV Inspections in Algonquin, Illinois. He is the first person to achieve master certified status in the association’s seven-year history.
NRVIA introduced the new certification opportunity in January as a way to recognize NRVIA members who excelled in their own inspection business and the RV industry, the association’s director of administration, Stephanie Henson, said.
“Master certified RV inspectors have paved the way for new members and less experienced members to jump into a growing new industry of mobile inspection experts within the RV Industry,” Henson said. “This is an award of merit conferred upon active inspectors. It is not something bestowed lightly. Inspectors must earn this credential.”
To be considered for the association’s honor, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Operating an active and insured inspection business for at least two consecutive years
- Completion of 50 verifiable advanced RV inspections. Evaluations performed for warranty or repair verification, life-safety only or for the Federal Emergency Management Agency do not count in that total
- Possess active credentials as a registered or certified RV technician from a sanctioned training school
- At least 10 verifiable reviews from clients with a satisfaction rating of 80% or higher. The reviews must be listed on a third-party platform such as Google, Yelp or Facebook Business Page
- Inspector must have either published an article in an industry publication relevant to RV inspections or RV systems training, or presented a similar topic at an industry rally, conference or expo
- Maintain a professional business website promoting RV inspection services
People who achieve the NRVIA Master Certified Inspector status cannot rest on their laurels, Henson said. To maintain the credential, the inspectors must continue to perform advanced inspections and provide data related to those evaluations to NRVIA. They must maintain continuing education requirements and meet all requirements to retain the title, including publishing articles or conducting seminars.
“This designation is given to members who have proven their dedication to the RV inspection industry and who will continue to serve the RV community for many years to come,” Henson said.
For Wilhelm, performing RV inspections was a second career. He previously worked as a manager for a demolition and environmental remediation company that removed asbestos, mold and other hazardous materials.
“I owned an RV for more than 20 years and always considered myself handy,” Wilhelm said. “Still, I wanted to learn more about how my own RV worked. So, I took classes and learned about the RV inspection business while completing the training.
“The whole concept of pre-purchased RV inspections intrigued me,” Wilhelm said. “The more I investigated the opportunity, the more I saw there was a tremendous need for this service. My business took off slowly at first, primarily because it was a new service and most RV buyers were not aware that it was available to them. But the number of inspections I completed doubled and tripled every year.”
Wilhelm said he believes the NRVIA Master Certified RV Inspector title will be a “big boost” to his business by giving clients even more confidence in his ability to properly evaluate an RV’s condition.
