This is so true.... I don't really follow all the association bashing and really have no idea or care who's on what side of what fight. But, something I can vouch for is the lack of care or concern on the part of the consumer as to a few letters behind a guy's name.

In 8+ years of performing home inspections and running a mid/large company I've never been asked one time about any certification.

If people bought a HI every week they'd learn to care. For the once every 5 years that most consumers use our services it's meaningless.

As mentioned by Scott, the fighting amongst us has ruined any possibility of a benefit any designation may have provided.

In the end I'm not saying the certifications are useless since there's often some good education that goes along with them (or should be anyway). I just don't think it will make your phone ring or keep you from getting sued.