State Requirements
To Become A Home Inspector

State Certification / Licensing
First, be leery of any school that says they will certify you. Certification is the prerogative of the states. There is no national licensing. Currently, fewer than half the states license or certify home inspectors. If you live in one of these states, you must complete the state requirements they have developed. Below is a brief summary of what is required by various states (to the best of our knowledge) as concerning home inspector training / education. Your state may have more requirements in addition to education. Be sure to consult your state for exact requirements. This list is not intended to be comprehensive. It is only intended as a guide.

Please be aware that some states are currently considering passing legislation to regulate their home inspectors. If you are serious about being a home inspector, we suggest that you consider getting into the profession before your state may make it too difficult with licensing requirements. Most states that have gone to licensing have "grandfathered in" existing home inspectors. If a home inspector is not "grandfathered in" because he/she hasn't been in business long enough, etc., the inspector must complete all the requirements for licensing, not just the minimal "grandfather" requirements. Sometimes the state requirements for newer home inspectors require serving an apprenticeship. Think about it, who would want to apprentice their future competition? In some states, home inspectors are charging candidates $50 to $100 per inspection to take them along as an "apprentice." If you are thinking about becoming a home inspector, we recommend that you start now.

Link to More Inspector Requirements Information
www.homeinspectionexam.org/regulations.html

Alabama Home Inspector Registration
State Building Commission
770 Washington Ave, Ste. 444
Montgomery, AL 36130
334-242-4082
http://www.bc.state.al.us/HI Menu.htm

Requires Membership in NACHI, NAHI, or ASHI

Alaska Home Inspector Registration
Department of Community and Economic Development
Division of Occupational Licensing
P.O. Box 110806
Juneau, AK 99811
907-465-2534
http://www.dced.state.ak.us

Requires state test (either NAHI or NHIE exam)

Arizona Home Inspector Certification
State Board of Technical Registration
800 West Washington, 6th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602-364-4954
http://www.btr.stae.az.us

Arkansas Home Inspector Registration
Home Inspector Advisory Board
State Capitol
Little Rock, AR 72201
501-682-3409

1. 80 hours of approved pre-licensing training
2. Registration with the Arkansas Home Inspector Registration Board
3. Pass the National Home Inspector Exam
4. Pass the ASHI Ethics Exam
5. Must have general liability insurance of at least $100,000

Connecticut Home Inspector License
Home Inspector Licensing Board
165 Capitol Ave.
Hartford, CT 06106
860-713-6143

Connecticut home inspectors are required by law to be licensed.
Licensing Requirements
a) Completed high school or equivalent
b) Have:

• Earned a home inspector intern permit and performed not less than one hundred home inspections under the supervision of a licensed home inspector. For a minimum of the first ten inspections, the supervision must be direct
• Successfully completed a board-approved training program consisting of no less then 40 hours

Georgia
Every Georgia home inspector shall provide to the person on whose behalf a home or single-family dwelling is being inspected a written document specifying:

a) The scope of the inspection, including those structural elements, systems, and subsystems to be inspected.
b) That the inspection is a visual inspection
c) That the home inspector will notify in writing the person on whose behalf such inspection is being made of any defects noted during the inspection, along with any recommendation that certain experts be retained to determine the extent and corrective action necessary for such defect

Columbus County Only:
Inspections and Codes, City of Columbus, GA
706-653-4126

In order to obtain a BUSINESS license for a Home Inspection business in Columbus County:

1. Be a member of one of the following:
   
   ASHI
   CABE/ICC (Council of American Building Officials/International Code Council)
   SBCCI (Southern Building Code Congress International)
   HIF (Housing Inspection Foundation)
   NAPI (National Association of Property Inspectors)
   NAHI
   AIS (American Inspectors Society)
   
2. $100,000.00 Liability Insurance
3. Workers Compensation Insurance if applicable
4. One letter of recommendation from a bank or financial institution
5. Two letters of recommendation from an architect, engineer, building contractor or other person connected with any construction related industry on their business letterhead stationary.
   

Illinois Home Inspector License
Office of Banks and Real Estate
500 East Monroe
Springfield, IL
217-785-9640

Education:

a) 60 hours from an institution approved by the DBRE.
b) A high school diploma or equivalent.

Testing:

a) Illinois home inspector to pass an examination approved or administered by the DBRE.

Indiana
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency
402 West Washington Street, Room W072
Indianapolis, Indian 46204
Phone (317) 234-3009
Fax (317) 232-2312
Email pla9@pla.in.gov
Website http://www.in.gov/pla

1.) Be at least eighteen (18) years of age;
2.) Have graduated from high school or have earned a GED;
3.) Have not been convicted of a crime or act that would prohibit you from obtaining the license;
4.) Complete a pre-licensing course of at least sixty (60) hours provided by a Board-approved course provider (NOTE: Please see pages 14 & 15 of the attached licensure law compilation for specifics on these sixty (60) hours);
5.) Pass the National Home Inspector Examination as provided by the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors;
6.) Submit proof of having minimum insurance liability coverage of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000); and
7.) Pay the application/license issuance fee of four hundred fifty dollars ($450).
To view licensure laws and grand fathering clause see contact information below.

Louisiana
LA State Board of Home Inspectors
Department of Economic Development
State Capitol
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
225-248-1334

Maryland Home Inspector License
Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation
500 North Calvert St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-230-6165

They passed legislation, but because of lack of funding, regulations have not been developed. You can still do inspections, just check back periodically to see what is happening.

Massachusetts Home Inspector License
Board of Home Inspectors
239 Causeway St.
Boston, MA 02114
617-727-9931
www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/hi/index.htm

Mississippi Home Inspector
Mississippi Real Estate Commission
Home Inspector Regulatory Board
PO Box 12685
Jackson, MS 39236
601-932-9191

Education

a) High school or equivalent
b) Successfully completed an approved course of study of at least 60 hours

Testing

a) Have passed an examination as prescribed by the commission (National Exam)

Nevada Home Inspector Certification
State of Nevada Real Estate Division
Matt Di Orio (702) 486-4033 ext. 231
2501 E. Sahara Avenue, Ste. 101
Las Vegas, NV 89104-4137
http://red.state.nv.us/insp_licreq.htm

Proof of completion of 40 hours of not less than 40 hours of instruction in subjects related to structural inspections in courses approved by the Division. Proof of passing an examination approved by the Division. The exam fee is $100.00 paid to the testing contractor PSI (contact 800-733-9267 or www.psiexams.com ) Submit log of at least 25 inspections performed by: a certified general or certified master inspector or an instructor approved by the administrator. Submit completed application. Submit required fees: $100.00 application fee, $250.00 issuance of certificate. Submit proof of insurance to include applicant's personal name on the binder: Minimum of $100,000 errors and omissions insurance, Minimum of $100,000 general liabilty.

New Jersey
NJ Home Inspection Licensing Board
124 Halsey St., 6th Floor
Newark, NJ 07101
973-504-6534

Education
a) High School Graduate
b) Complete 180 hours of an approved course of study.  40 of the hours must be unpaid inspections in the presence of a New Jersey licensed home inspector of the school. 
c) Pass the National Home Inspectors Examination administered by the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors (EBPHI); www.homeinspectionexam.org

Correspondence courses are not approved for pre-licensing education, but can be used for continuing education. 

Or

Experience
a) Perform 250 inspections in the direct supervision of a licensed home inspector

New York
Keith W. Stack, Deputy Secretary of State for Business and Licensing Services, New York State Department of State Division of Licensing Services,
518-474-4429, 518-473-6648 fax
e-mail licensing@dos.state.ny.us.

New York Licensure (Chapter 461 of the Laws of 2004) The "Home Inspector Professional Licensing Act" http://www.nysahi.com/S06100.html takes effect December 31, 2005 and requires that all home inspectors obtain a license. Home inspectors will be licensed for two years and must pay an initial fee of $250.00 and renewal fees of $100.00 thereafter. The basic provisions of the law include requirements for obtaining a license, including classroom education and on site inspection training, confirmation of an appropriate knowledge base via testing, the development of a required standard of practice and code of ethics, continuing education requirements for license renewal, and a duty of care of all license holders to the client. There are two routes to obtaining a license. An applicant must complete 140 hours of approved training, including 40 hours of unpaid inspection experience under the direct supervision of a licensed inspector, or have 100 hours of paid or unpaid inspection experience under the direct supervision of a licensed inspector. The applicant must also pass an approved written exam. Additionally, there are grandfathering provisions in the law that recognize the value of prior experience. To receive a license under this provision, an inspector must have inspected at least 100 homes within the last two years and pass an approved exam (currently believed to be the National Home Inspector Exam, www.homeinspectionexam.org), or have inspected at least 250 homes for compensation and have been a practicing inspector for at least three years, prior to the enforcement of this law.

North Carolina
Home Inspector Licensure Board
410 N. Boylan Ave
Raleigh, NC 27603
919-715-0991

Experience
a) A licensed North Carolina home inspector must have a high school diploma or its equivalent and have had an Associate Home Inspector license for at least one year performing at least 100 paid inspections
or
b) Be a Licensed General Contractor, Architect or Professional Engineer

Testing
a) Pass a licensing examination prescribed by the Board

Qualifications and Procedures for Becoming an Associate Home Inspector

Experience
a) Have a high school diploma or its equivalent
b) Be employed by or affiliated with or intend to be employed by a licensed home inspector and submit sworn statement of the licensed home inspector certifying the licensed home inspector will “actively supervise and train the applicant”

Testing
a) Pass a licensing examination prescribed by the board

Also
a) You may apply for the Associate Home Inspector License before you become employed by or affiliated with a Licensed Home Inspector. However, you will not be issued a license until you become employed by or affiliated with a licensed inspector.

North Dakota
Secretary of State Office
http://www.nd.gov/sos/

• Be at least eighteen years of age.
• Complete Home Inspector Registration application SFN 54381 (122kb)
• Submit proof of satisfactory completion of an examination on home inspection offered by the following:
  • American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI),
  • National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI),
  • National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI),
  • Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors (EBPHI),
  • International Code Council (ICC).
• Submit proof of current errors and omissions insurance coverage in an amount of one hundred thousand dollars or more covering all home inspection activities.
  
• $200.00 registration fee made payable to the Secretary of State.

Oklahoma Home Inspector License
Construction Industries Board
1000 NE 10th St. Ste 1205
Oklahoma City, OK 73117
405-271-5288
405-271-5217

Exemptions:

a) Individuals inspecting new residences
b) Architects
c) Engineers
d) Individuals holding other occupational licenses who only do inspections within their occupational confines of that license.

Education

a) Completed 50 hours of home inspection training or its equivalent

Testing

a) Pass the required home inspection exam

Oregon Home Inspector Certification
Construction Contractors Board
700 Summer Street NE, Ste. 300
Salem, OR 14140
503-378-4621

I. Apply to the CCB to qualify for and take the certification test

Qualifications to take the exam:

Education
a) You must obtain 20 “points” before taking the exam. Points can be earned via education and experience.

Testing
a) After you pass all five sections of the Certification Exam, the Home Inspector Certification application will be sent to you. 

Additional
a) You must either be the owner or an employee of a CCB-licensed business to practice home inspections
CCB licensing includes:

• 16-hour education course on Oregon laws and business practices
• State issued test on 16-hour course
• Surety bond
• Liability Insurance
• Must be licensed in one of the General, Specialty or Inspector categories; any category except Limited
• Corporation, LLC or DBA filed

Pennsylvania
Contact Info
Bureau of Consumer Protection
(717) 787-9707
(610) 562-5384

Be a full member of a nationally recognized not for-profit organization that requires 100 or more home inspections to be a member and pass an Exam. They basically require membership in NAHI, ASHI or NACHI.

Rhode Island
Contractors Registration Board 401-222-1268 

Education

a)High school or equivalent

Experience

a)Have assisted in no less than 50 home inspections in the presence of a licensed home inspector

Testing

a)Have passed an examination approved or administered by the board

Education

a) Successfully completed high school or equivalent

Experience

a) Have been engaged as an Associate Home Inspector for no less than one year and have performed not less than 100 paid inspections OR been registered/licensed contractor in good standing in any state for an aggregate of at least 5 years

Testing

a) Have passed an examination approved or administered by the board

South Carolina
Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations
110 Centerview Dr
PO Box 11329
Columbia, SC 29211
803-896-4696

South Dakota
Real Estate Commission
118 West Capitol
Pierre, SD 57501
605-773-3600

Process

a) Aspiring South Carolina home inspectors must fill out an application prepared by the Residential Builders Commission.

Testing

a) All prospective home inspectors must pass the state licensing test

Experience

a) Must have one year of experience completing a minimum of 50 inspections in the supervision of a licensed home inspector
or
b) Be certified as a home inspector by an origination approved by S.C. Residential Builders Commission

 

Tennessee
Department of Commerce & Insurance
Home Inspector Licensing Program
500 James Robertson Pkwy.
2nd Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
615-253-1743
e-mail: carol.kennedy@state.tn.us
http://www.state.tn.us/commerce/boards/hic/

90 hours of board approved education

Texas Home Inspector License
Texas Real Estate Commission
PO Box 12188
Austin, TX 78711
512-459-6544

• Citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien
• Resident of Texas at the time application is filed
• At least 18 years of age
• Found to be honest, trustworthy, & possessing integrity
  (Background Investigation through DPS)
• A Texas home inspector must qualify in one of the following ways:

  A. Has been actively licensed as a Real Estate Inspector for at least 12 months during 24 month period prior to filing Professional Application AND has completed 128 classroom hours of core real estate inspection courses, eight of which must be related to the study of standards of practice, legal issues, or ethics related to the profession of real estate inspections. (includes the 90 completed as an apprentice) AND has completed 200 inspections (175 of which are performed under indirect supervision while licensed as a R.E. Inspector & 25 of which were completed under direct supervision as an apprentice)

OR

B. Has completed 448 classroom hours of core real estate inspection courses. This total consists of the following:

8 hours of the study of standards of practice, legal issues, or ethics related to the profession of real estate inspections;

320 hours in specific professional inspector education alternative courses (professional inspector education alternative courses must be offered by TREC approved education providers. A link to a list of providers and courses can be found on the TREC web site, on the main page of the Inspector tab area);

and 120 hours of other Core real estate inspection courses;

OR

C. 128 classroom hours of core real estate inspection courses AND five years experience as a licensed or registered architect, professional engineer, or engineer-in-training;

OR

D. 128 classroom hours of core real estate inspection courses AND can provide two reference letters documenting seven years of personal experience inspecting, installing, servicing, repairing or maintaining each of the structural, mechanical and electrical systems found in improvements to real property. (The 128 hours includes the 8 classroom hours in the study of standards of practice, legal issues, or ethics related to the profession of real estate inspections).

Documentation of experience must be in verified form and from persons other than the applicant who have personal knowledge of the applicant's occupation and work.

• File the Professional Inspector License Application form
• Pass Professional Inspector licensing exam

Virginia--Voluntary Certification
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Virginia Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspection
3600 W. Broad St.
Richmond, VA 23230
804-367-8595

Certification is voluntary, not required. You cannot call yourself certified unless you follow the state requirements. Requires either membership in good standing in NAHI or ASHI, or 35 classroom hours and 100 inspections, or 70 classroom hours and 50 inspections. 

Washington

Qualifications to Become a Home Inspector
There are no licensing requirements for home inspectors in the State of Washington at this time, however, inspectors conducting inspections for potential or proposed real estate transactions must obtain a Structural Pest Inspectors license. 

To obtain a PSI license

a)  Pass the PSI Exam given by the State of Washington.
b)  Submit proof of financial coverage by one of the following

Option 1:  $25,000 E & O providing coverage for up to two years after the inspection

Option 2:  $25,000 Bond allowing suit to be brought against it for legal damages a result of the structural pest inspector for up to two years after the inspection

Option 3: $12,500 Bond with same conditions as above, combined with a $25,000 non-occurrence based E & O policy

Option 4: $25,000 assigned account, held by the department to satisfy any judgment for legal damages resulting from an inspection

Option 5:  Gain employment with an inspection firm carrying coverage

Wisconsin Home Inspector Registration
Secretary of Regulation and Licensing
1400 E. Washington Ave.
PO Box 8935
Madison, WI 53708
608-266-2112
http://drl.wi.gov/index.htm

State test is required. Education not required, but it would certainly help in passing the test and knowing how to do inspections.

Exemptions: Certain government employees are exempt from this legislation as well as contractors who are inspecting their own work but do not refer to themselves as a Registered Wisconsin Home Inspector.

Designations: Registered Home Inspector

Qualifications for Becoming a Registered Home Inspector

Procedure
a) Complete and submit a registration form with the state

Testing
a) Take the National Home Inspector Examination and a 2-part state exam
on the Wisconsin Statutes and the Wisconsin Administrative rules that relate to home inspections

Education
a) 40 hours of continuing education every 2 years

Link to More Inspector Requirements Information
www.homeinspectionexam.org/regulations.html