A VA loan does not require a termite inspection on every purchase. The requirement depends on where the home is located, and on whether the VA appraiser notes a pest concern in the appraisal report. Where it applies, a licensed inspector must document the property’s condition in a wood-destroying insect (WDI) report, often called a termite letter, before you close.
This guide explains when the inspection is required, what the report says, how to read the findings, who pays, and how to keep a termite issue from delaying your closing.
TL;DR
- The VA requires wood-destroying insect information only in listed states and counties, or when the appraiser flags a specific issue. Check the VA’s local requirements page for your area.
- A termite letter is a licensed inspector’s written record of a WDI inspection, usually on the NPMA-33 form.
- Section 1 findings (active infestation or resulting damage) must be resolved. Section 2 findings (conditions that could lead to infestation) are generally negotiation items.
- Since June 15, 2022, veterans may pay the inspection fee and required repairs, though who pays remains negotiable with the seller.
- Order the inspection early. A treatment and clearance letter can add days to your timeline.
Table of Contents
- Does the VA require a termite inspection?
- What is a termite letter?
- Section 1 vs. Section 2 findings
- Who pays for the VA termite inspection?
- What happens if the inspector finds termites?
- How to get the report and when it expires
- How the inspection fits your VA loan
- Questions to ask before you schedule
- Get a VA purchase plan that accounts for the inspection
- Our perspective
- FAQ
- Sources
Does the VA require a termite inspection?
Not for every loan. The VA publishes a list of local requirements, and wood-destroying insect information is required only in the states and counties on that list, unless the appraiser notes specific issues in the appraisal report. According to the VA’s local requirements documentation, the requirement applies statewide in 29 states and the District of Columbia, and in specific counties in eight additional states.
In practice, that means:
- Higher-risk regions such as much of the Southeast, the Gulf Coast and the Mid-Atlantic are generally covered statewide.
- Some states apply the requirement only in certain counties. Colorado, for example, is a state where the answer can change from one county to the next.
- Lower-risk states often have no automatic requirement. The appraiser can still call for an inspection if the property shows signs of wood-destroying insects, such as mud tubes, damaged wood or past treatment.
Because the list is maintained by the VA and can change, always confirm your county on the official page rather than relying on a general state list. If you are working with us, we check this for you at the start of your purchase.
The VA appraisal is not a termite inspection
A VA appraisal looks at the home’s value and whether it meets the VA’s Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs). The appraiser is not a pest professional, and the appraisal does not replace a WDI inspection. Even in a state where no inspection is mandated, you can order one yourself for peace of mind. Many buyers do, since a termite problem is far cheaper to learn about before closing than after.
What is a termite letter?
A termite letter is the common name for a wood-destroying insect inspection report. It is a written record from a licensed inspector stating whether termites or other wood-destroying insects, or their damage, were found. You may also see it called a WDI report, a WDIIR or a termite inspection report. They all mean the same thing in a VA transaction.
The standard form for VA and FHA transactions is the NPMA-33. It records the property address, the structures and areas inspected, evidence of live or dead insects, visible damage and details of any previous treatment. State-specific forms exist in some places, and your lender will tell you which one it accepts.
Two points matter for how you use the report:
- It is a snapshot of visible evidence on the day of the inspection.
- It is not a structural warranty or a guarantee against future infestation.
What the NPMA-33 covers
The form is organized into five parts, as summarized here:
| Part | What it contains |
|---|---|
| Section I | General information: company, inspector license, date, property address, structures inspected |
| Section II | Inspection findings: live or dead insects, shelter tubes, visible damage |
| Section III | Recommendations: whether treatment is recommended and what type |
| Section IV | Obstructions and inaccessible areas |
| Section V | Additional comments and signatures |
Pay close attention to the inaccessible areas. The form treats a space as inaccessible when the opening is too small to enter, when a ladder was needed but not available, or when crawlspace clearance is under 24 inches between the floor joists and the ground. It also carries a disclaimer that infestation or damage may exist in concealed areas the inspection could not reach, as described in this overview of the form. If a crawlspace or attic is blocked by stored items, ask the seller to clear it before the inspector arrives.
Section 1 vs. Section 2 findings
This is the part of the report that decides whether your closing is affected.
- Section 1 lists items where there is evidence of active infestation or infection, or conditions resulting from it. The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s guidance on the NPMA-33 uses this definition.
- Section 2 lists conditions likely to lead to infestation or infection, where there is no visible evidence of either. Think of wood touching soil, moisture problems or a leaking pipe near framing.
For a VA loan, Section 1 items are the ones that typically hold up closing, while Section 2 items are generally not mandatory repairs for loan approval. Those are usually handled as negotiation points: the buyer may ask the seller to correct them, request a price adjustment, or simply plan to fix them after purchase.
The VA’s standard for the property itself is straightforward. There should be no active infestation, and no unrepaired damage from a prior infestation that compromises structural integrity. If an active colony is found, it must be treated first.
Who pays for the VA termite inspection?
The rules changed in 2022. Under VA Circular 26-22-11, effective June 15, 2022, veterans are permitted to pay the WDI inspection fee where required, along with repairs needed to meet the MPRs. The VA still encourages buyers to negotiate these costs with the seller.
So there are really three possible arrangements:
- The seller pays the inspection and any treatment, as part of the purchase contract.
- You pay the inspection fee, and negotiate the repair costs.
- The cost is split, or offset by a price credit.
The contract should say plainly who orders the inspection, who pays for it, and who is responsible for treatment and repairs if Section 1 items appear. Sellers can also contribute toward your costs within the VA’s limits. Our guide to VA seller concessions explains how that works, and our overview of seller concessions across FHA, VA and conventional loans shows how the limits compare.
What happens if the inspector finds termites?
A Section 1 finding does not end your purchase. It adds steps.
- Treatment. A licensed pest control professional treats the active infestation. The report’s recommendations section says what type of treatment is advised.
- Repairs. Damage that affects structural integrity must be repaired. Under the circular, MPR repairs identified in a WDI report must be completed before the loan is guaranteed.
- Clearance. The inspector issues a follow-up letter confirming the work was done and the activity is addressed.
- Documentation. The lender includes inspection and repair invoices in the loan file if the loan is selected for a VA post-closing review.
The practical risk is time. If treatment, repairs and re-inspection have to happen in the last two weeks before closing, the closing date can slip. This is why we recommend ordering the inspection as soon as your offer is accepted. For a realistic view of how all the pieces fit together, see our mortgage closing timeline.
If the report only has Section 2 items
You have options and no lender deadline pressure. You can ask the seller to fix the conducive conditions, ask for a credit, or accept the home as is and budget for the fix. A moisture problem near wood is worth addressing even if the VA does not require it, because it is the sort of condition that tends to invite pests later.
How to get the report and when it expires
A WDI report has a shelf life. Lenders typically want one no older than 90 days at closing, and some state rules or lender overlays call for a more recent report, such as one within 30 days. Your loan officer will tell you the limit that applies, and it overrides any general rule of thumb.
Here is a simple order of operations:
- Confirm the requirement. Check your county on the VA’s local requirements page, and ask your broker whether your lender asks for the report regardless.
- Choose a licensed inspector. Use a state-licensed pest professional. Your real estate agent can usually suggest a few. The inspector should be willing to complete the form your lender accepts.
- Write it into the contract. State who orders and who pays, and what happens if Section 1 items are found.
- Prepare access. Ask that crawlspaces, attics and utility areas be reachable so fewer areas are listed as inaccessible.
- Send it to your loan team right away. Do not wait for the appraisal to come back. Early review leaves time for treatment and a clearance letter.
- Keep the paper trail. Save invoices for treatment and repairs. Your lender may need them for the file.
How the inspection fits your VA loan
The termite report is one of several documents that must line up before closing, along with the appraisal, your certificate of eligibility, and income and asset paperwork. Delays tend to stack when each item is handled one at a time. Our guide to VA loan requirements and broker-ready documents shows how we prepare files so that a termite finding becomes a manageable task and not a surprise. If you plan to live in the home, our summary of VA occupancy rules is a useful companion.
If you are refinancing and not buying, the picture is different. Whether an inspection is called for depends on the loan type and your lender’s requirements, so ask early. Our VA IRRRL guide walks through the streamlined refinance steps.
Questions to ask before you schedule
A short list can save you days:
- Is my county on the VA’s local requirements list?
- Does my lender require a WDI report even where the VA does not?
- Which form does my lender accept, and how old can the report be at closing?
- Who orders and who pays under my purchase contract?
- If Section 1 items appear, who handles treatment, and how fast can a clearance letter be issued?
If you do not have a clear answer to each, resolve it before you pay for anything.
Get a VA purchase plan that accounts for the inspection
We are a mortgage brokerage built around a fully online application and personalized consultations. We compare rates across lenders, and our aim is to help eligible clients fund in under 21 days. The right plan puts the termite inspection, the appraisal and your documents on one schedule from the start. Learn more about our VA loans, or get your pre-approval started.
If you are still in the early stages, our first-timer’s guide to the home loan application process explains each step from application to closing.
Our perspective
Most termite stress we see comes from timing, not from termites. A buyer learns about a requirement ten days before closing, the inspector is booked solid, and a routine item turns into a delay.
Our approach is to treat the inspection as part of the file from day one. We confirm whether your county requires a WDI report, ask what your lender will accept, and help you line up the contract language on who pays. When the report comes back, we read the Section 1 and Section 2 items with you and explain what each means for your closing, in plain terms.
A fully online process helps here. Documents, reports and invoices move quickly between you, your agent and your lender, and that is part of how we work toward closing in under 21 days. It is our goal for clients who are prepared, and every file depends on the property, the lender and the seller.
If you are a veteran buying a home, you have earned a smooth process. We would be glad to guide you through it.
David Mordue
FAQ
Does the VA require a termite report?
Only in certain places. The requirement applies in the states and counties on the VA’s local requirements list, and anywhere the appraiser notes a specific issue in the appraisal report. Check your county on the VA page, then confirm with your lender, which may ask for a report even where the VA does not.
What is the difference between Section 1 and Section 2 termite findings?
Section 1 covers evidence of active infestation or damage resulting from it. Section 2 covers conditions likely to lead to infestation with no visible evidence yet. Section 1 items generally must be resolved before closing, while Section 2 items are usually negotiable.
What happens if you fail a termite inspection?
There is no pass or fail grade. If the report shows active infestation or damage that affects structural integrity, treatment and repairs must be completed, and a clearance letter is typically issued before the loan can proceed to closing. This can delay closing, so ordering the inspection early helps.
Can a veteran pay for the termite inspection?
Yes. Since June 15, 2022, VA policy permits veterans to pay the WDI inspection fee and repairs needed to meet the Minimum Property Requirements. The VA still encourages negotiating those costs with the seller, so your purchase contract should spell out who pays.
How recent does the termite letter need to be?
Lenders commonly want a report issued within 90 days of closing, and some require 30 days. Your lender’s requirement controls, so ask for the exact limit before you schedule the inspection.
Sources
- Local Requirements, VA Home Loans
- Veterans Benefits Administration Circular 26-22-11
- Georgia Department of Agriculture: NPMA-33 and state-mandated forms
- WDO Inspection Report: Contents, Cost, and Requirements
- VA Loan Termite Inspection Requirements: Circular 26-22-11
- Termite Inspection Requirements for VA and FHA Loans