Home Inspector License Requirements by State

Alabama

License. Alabama Department of Finance, Division of Construction Management.

• Education and field training: Two routes: 120 hours of approved education plus 35 inspections, or 35 hours plus 100 inspections. You also prepare 25 draft reports, 10 of them reviewed by a qualified inspector.
• Exam: The National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) plus the ASHI Standards and Ethics exam, both passed within 18 months before you apply.
• Insurance: General liability of $20,000 property damage / $50,000 one person / $100,000 more than one person, plus $250,000 errors and omissions (E&O).
• Other requirements: You also need one qualifying credential, such as membership in a recognized national home inspection association (ASHI, HIF, InterNACHI or NIBI), VA/HUD/ICC approval, at least 1 year and 100 paid inspections with a high school diploma, or an Alabama contractor, architect, engineer or builder license. An optional Residential New Construction designation requires an approved 8-hour module.
• Renewal and CE: Annual (calendar year); file by November 1. 15 hours of CE per year.
• Watch for: Alabama home inspectors are licensed through the Division of Construction Management, not the Home Builders Licensure Board.

Sources: Ala. Admin. Code r. 355-17-1.06 · Ala. Admin. Code r. 355-17-1.08

Back to the table

Alaska

Registration. Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (DCCED).

• Education and field training: No pre-licensing course hours are set. An Associate Home Inspector must be employed and supervised by a registered home inspector.
• Exam: Choose your category first. Existing homes: NHIE. New homes or joint registration: the ICC Residential Building, Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing Inspector exams.
• Insurance: A $10,000 surety bond or permitted cash security, plus liability coverage of $20,000 property damage / $50,000 one person / $100,000 more than one person.
• Other requirements: An Alaska business license is also required.
• Renewal and CE: Every 2 years (expires June 30 of even years). 8 contact hours of continuing education.
• Fees listed by the state: $100 application + $250 registration ($350 total).
• Watch for: Choose the existing-home, new-home or joint category before registering for exams. The January 2026 application identifies the accepted exams for each category.

Sources: Alaska application, form 08-4001 · Alaska home inspector statutes and regulations

Back to the table

Arizona

State certification. Arizona State Board of Technical Registration.

• Education and field training: 84 hours from a board-approved program, plus 30 parallel inspections with a qualified Arizona-certified inspector.
• Exam: NHIE, passed within 2 years before you apply.
• Insurance: Financial assurance filed within 60 days of certification and before any fee-paid inspection: E&O of $200,000 aggregate / $100,000 per occurrence, or a $25,000 bond, or $25,000 in net assets.
• Other requirements: Age 18+ and a DPS fingerprint clearance card.
• Renewal and CE: Annual, with proof of financial assurance each time.

Sources: Ariz. Admin. Code R4-30-247 (legal-text mirror) · A.R.S. § 32-122.02

Back to the table

Arkansas

Registration. Arkansas State Board of Appraisers, Abstracters, and Home Inspectors — Home Inspector Division.

• Education and field training: 80 hours: 64 hours of instruction plus 16 hours of field training, completed within 3 years before you apply.
• Exam: NHIE plus the ASHI Standards and Ethics exam.
• Insurance: General liability of at least $100,000, plus professional liability or E&O of at least $100,000.
• Other requirements: Age 18+, high school diploma or equivalent, and criminal-conviction screening.
• Renewal and CE: Annual (expires December 31). 14 hours of CE per year, at least 8 in mandatory courses.
• Fees listed by the state: $250 initial; $250 renewal.

Sources: Arkansas home inspector rules · Arkansas home inspector statutes

Back to the table

California

Business and Professions Code § 7196 sets a reasonably-prudent-home-inspector standard of care for a home inspector who is not a licensed general contractor, structural pest control operator, architect or registered professional engineer. This provision establishes a practice duty; it does not supply a complete statewide licensing determination.

Sources: Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7196 (legal-text mirror)

Back to the table

Colorado

Colorado’s 2017 home-inspector registration proposal, SB17-038, did not pass. The outcome of that bill does not establish the current statewide licensing position.

Sources: Colorado SB17-038

Back to the table

Connecticut

License (intern → licensed). Department of Consumer Protection and the Home Inspection Licensing Board.

• Education and field training: Intern permit first: high school or equivalent plus a board-approved training program. Then at least 100 inspections as an intern, the first 10 under direct supervision.
• Exam: A written competency exam administered by the department. The application asks for your NHIE score report if you've already passed it.
• Renewal and CE: Every 2 years. 20 hours of CE per cycle, including 3 hours on laws and regulations.
• Fees listed by the state: The DCP application lists $220 for the intern permit ($20 application + $200 permit), and $240 for the home inspector license ($40 application + $200 license).

Sources: DCP home inspector application · DCP home inspector continuing education

Back to the table

Delaware

License (trainee → licensed). Board of Home Inspectors, Division of Professional Regulation.

• Education and field training: 140 hours of ASHI- or InterNACHI-approved instruction, then 75 supervised inspections. Register as a trainee first; inspections only count after your trainee registration is issued.
• Exam: NHIE.
• Insurance: E&O of at least $50,000 and liability of at least $250,000, with the certificate sent by your carrier.
• Other requirements: High school diploma or GED. Criminal-history and substance-abuse screening questions apply.
• Renewal and CE: Every 2 years (expires August 31 of odd years). 40 hours of CE, prorated for newer licensees.
• Fees listed by the state: $333 inspector application; $186 trainee; $40 temporary permit.

Sources: Delaware: examination · Delaware: inspector trainee · Delaware: fees · Delaware home inspector CE and audit information

Back to the table

District of Columbia

Home inspection is not among the occupations regulated under D.C. Code § 47-2853.04. This is distinct from business licensing or requirements for a particular inspection service.

Sources: D.C. Code § 47-2853.04

Back to the table

Florida

License. Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).

• Education and field training: At least 120 hours of approved study covering the required components of a home.
• Exam: A DBPR-approved home inspector examination.
• Insurance: Commercial general liability of at least $300,000.
• Other requirements: Electronic fingerprints and good moral character.

Sources: Fla. Stat. § 468.8313 · Fla. Stat. § 468.8322

Back to the table

Georgia

Georgia Secretary of State does not list a dedicated home inspector licensing program in the linked directory. That directory finding is not a statement that business registration, local requirements or separately regulated inspection services are exempt.

Sources: Georgia Secretary of State licensing boards

Back to the table

Hawaii

Hawaii Professional and Vocational Licensing Division does not list a dedicated home inspector licensing program in the linked directory. That directory finding is not a statement that business registration, local requirements or separately regulated inspection services are exempt.

Sources: Hawaii PVL boards and programs

Back to the table

Idaho

Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses does not list a dedicated home inspector licensing program in the linked directory. That directory finding is not a statement that business registration, local requirements or separately regulated inspection services are exempt.

Sources: Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses

Back to the table

Illinois

License. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Real Estate.

• Education and field training: A 60-hour pre-license course, plus a separate field course of at least 15 hours with 5 field inspections and a final field exam. The field course is in addition to the 60 hours.
• Exam: A written state licensing exam, taken through IDFPR's testing vendor, in addition to the field-course exam.
• Insurance: General liability of at least $100,000, kept in force for one year after your last report.
• Other requirements: Age 18+, high school diploma or equivalent.
• Renewal and CE: Every 2 years (November 30 of even years). 12 hours of CE (8 mandatory) plus sexual harassment prevention training.
• Fees listed by the state: $250 application.

Sources: IDFPR home inspector application process chart · IDFPR 2026 home inspector CE fact sheet · 68 Ill. Admin. Code § 1410.235 (legal-text mirror)

Back to the table

Indiana

License. Home Inspectors Licensing Board, Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.

• Education and field training: At least 60 hours of board-approved training, including at least 40 classroom hours and at least 12 hours of practical (on-site or lab) experience within the 60.
• Exam: NHIE.
• Insurance: General liability of at least $100,000, with the State of Indiana named as additional insured.
• Other requirements: Age 18+, high school diploma or equivalent.
• Renewal and CE: Every 2 years (October 1 of odd years). 32 hours of CE per cycle (16 if licensed 12–24 months). Licensees licensed less than 12 months are exempt from CE for that renewal.
• Fees listed by the state: $50 application; $50 renewal.

Sources: Indiana PLA home inspector licensing information · Indiana home inspector statutes and rules

Back to the table

Iowa

Rules, no state license.

• Education and field training: An independent home inspection report must come from a full member in good standing of a qualifying national home inspection association, a person supervised by such a member with the member signing the report, an inspector licensed or registered in another state and in good standing, or an Iowa-licensed architect or engineer. Qualifying associations require full members to have performed or participated in more than 100 inspections, pass a recognized or accredited exam, and complete continuing education.
• Exam: The association-route exam is not a separate Iowa licensing exam and does not apply automatically to every alternative route.
• Insurance: E&O and general liability of at least $100,000 per occurrence / $500,000 aggregate, with deductibles of $2,500 or less. Coverage must remain in effect for at least one year after the most recent report.
• Watch for: Iowa Code § 558A.4A sets qualifications for reports rather than creating an Iowa home inspector license. Don’t read “no license” as “no rules.”

Sources: Iowa Code § 558A.4A

Back to the table

Kansas

The 2025–2026 home-inspector licensing proposal HB2709 died in committee. A failed proposal is not evidence that no other statewide or local requirements apply.

Sources: Kansas HB2709, 2025–2026

Back to the table

Kentucky

License. Kentucky Board of Home Inspectors.

• Education and field training: A 64-hour board-approved pre-licensing course, including 16 hours of field training (lab time capped at 8), plus 3 unpaid inspections under direct supervision of a Kentucky licensee.
• Exam: The course exit exam plus a board-approved, third-party-accredited exam of at least 200 questions.
• Insurance: General liability of at least $250,000, with the board as certificate holder.
• Other requirements: Age 18+, high school diploma or equivalent, and state and FBI background checks dated within 90 days of applying.
• Renewal and CE: The CE rule requires 14 hours per license year, or 28 for a two-year cycle. Each annual allocation includes 3 hours of Kentucky law, 3 of report writing and 8 electives; the law and report-writing courses require face-to-face instruction. Initial-license exceptions apply under 831 KAR 2:040.
• Fees listed by the state: $250 application; $200 per year renewal.

Sources: KRS 198B.712 · 831 KAR 2:040 · 831 KAR 2:020

Back to the table

Louisiana

License. Louisiana State Board of Home Inspectors.

• Education and field training: Board rules require 90 hours of approved coursework, at least 30 hours of in-field platform training, and 10 live fee-paid inspections with a certified in-field trainer. Each live inspection earns one credit hour toward the rule’s 130-hour total. A board-approved report-writing seminar is also required.
• Exam: A board-approved licensing exam, which may be given by a national testing service. The training rule also requires the board-approved Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics examination.
• Insurance: E&O of at least $300,000 and general liability of at least $300,000, each with a deductible of $5,000 or less.
• Other requirements: Age 18+, high school or equivalent, and a Louisiana State Police background check.
• Renewal and CE: Annual. 30 hours of CE for the first renewal, 20 hours after that. A board-approved report-writing and standards-of-practice seminar is required at least once every three years.

Sources: La. R.S. 37:1477 · La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XL § 119 (legal-text mirror) · La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XL § 121 (legal-text mirror) · La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. XL § 115 (legal-text mirror) · LAC 46:XL § 127 (legal-text mirror)

Back to the table

Maine

Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation does not list a dedicated home inspector licensing program in the linked directory. That directory finding is not a statement that business registration, local requirements or separately regulated inspection services are exempt.

Sources: Maine licensed professions

Back to the table

Maryland

License. State Commission of Real Estate Appraisers, Appraisal Management Companies and Home Inspectors.

• Education and field training: A 72-hour, on-site, classroom-based home inspection course approved by the commission.
• Exam: NHIE.
• Insurance: General liability of at least $150,000, with your name on the certificate.
• Other requirements: High school diploma or equivalent (or proof of higher education).
• Renewal and CE: Every 2 years. 30 hours of CE per term (not required at the first renewal), including 2 hours of report writing. A mandatory 2-hour Standards of Practice course starts January 1, 2027.
• Fees listed by the state: $50 application review.

Sources: Maryland: apply for a home inspector license · Maryland home inspector licensing FAQ

Back to the table

Massachusetts

License (associate → licensed). Board of Registration of Home Inspectors.

• Education and field training: Associate: a 75-hour board-approved pre-licensure program and 25 fee-paid inspections under direct supervision. Up to 10 approved mock inspections through a board-approved education provider can count toward those 25. Home Inspector: at least 1 year as a licensed associate plus 100 inspections under supervision.
• Exam: NHIE, taken at the associate stage.
• Insurance: E&O of at least $250,000 in the aggregate.
• Other requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, good moral character, and a CORI background check form.
• Renewal and CE: Every 2 years (May 31 of even years). 12 hours of CE, including 4 hours of regulations and standards of practice and 1 hour of ethics.
• Watch for: Out-of-state applicants may apply by endorsement; the board determines whether their license requirements and qualifications are substantially equivalent.

Sources: 266 CMR 3.01 (legal-text mirror) · 266 CMR 4.01 (legal-text mirror) · 266 CMR 3.02 (legal-text mirror) · 266 CMR 5.01 (legal-text mirror) · 266 CMR 3.04 (legal-text mirror)

Back to the table

Michigan

Michigan LARA does not list a dedicated home inspector licensing program in the linked directory. That directory finding is not a statement that business registration, local requirements or separately regulated inspection services are exempt.

Sources: Michigan LARA occupational licensing

Back to the table

Minnesota

This lookup does not establish a current statewide home-inspector credential requirement or exemption for Minnesota. A missing entry is not permission to practice without meeting applicable requirements.

Official destination: Minnesota Attorney General: Home Buyer’s Handbook, chapter 5

Back to the table

Mississippi

License. Mississippi Home Inspection Division, Mississippi Appraisal Board.

• Education and field training: A 60-hour approved course, which may include fieldwork.
• Exam: NHIE.
• Insurance: General liability of $250,000 and E&O of $250,000, with the Division named as certificate holder.
• Other requirements: Age 21+, high school diploma or equivalent, and a fingerprint-based background check. The New Home designation also requires an current Mississippi contractor license and an accepted ICC certification.
• Renewal and CE: Every 2 years. 20 hours of CE.
• Fees listed by the state: Resident: $175 application + $325 license ($500 total). Nonresident: $50 application + $325 license ($375 total).
• Watch for: The program is administered by the Mississippi Home Inspection Division under the Mississippi Appraisal Board.

Sources: MHID license instructions

Back to the table

Missouri

This lookup does not establish a current statewide home-inspector credential requirement or exemption for Missouri. A missing entry is not permission to practice without meeting applicable requirements.

Official destination: Missouri Division of Professional Registration: boards

Back to the table

Montana

License (since Jan 1, 2026). Department of Labor and Industry, Home Inspector Program.

• Education and field training: 40 hours of department-approved home inspection instruction. Passing the NHIE no longer substitutes for the course.
• Exam: No exam is required.
• Insurance: E&O of at least $125,000.
• Other requirements: Membership in a national home inspection association, kept current.
• Renewal and CE: Every 2 years.
• Fees listed by the state: $80 application.
• Watch for: Montana switched from registration to licensing on January 1, 2026 (HB 225). Existing registrations converted automatically. Guides describing a course-or-exam registration are out of date.

Sources: Montana home inspector licensing checklist · Montana HB 225 program explanation

Back to the table

Nebraska

Registration. Nebraska Secretary of State, Licensing Division.

• Education and field training: The statute and registration application don't set education or exam requirements. You must register before inspecting in Nebraska.
• Exam: None set in statute. The application asks which national certifications you hold.
• Insurance: General liability of at least $250,000, kept in force for the whole registration period.
• Other requirements: Office address and an agent for service of process. Report changes within 30 business days.
• Renewal and CE: Every 2 years. No CE in statute.
• Fees listed by the state: $300 registration fee.

Sources: Nebraska Secretary of State: home inspectors · Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-3603

Back to the table

Nevada

State certification. Nevada Real Estate Division.

• Education and field training: Residential: 40 classroom hours and observing 25 inspections by a certified general or master inspector or an approved instructor. Submit the observation log and demonstrate that you can produce a complete, credible inspection report. General certification also requires 50 classroom hours and, as a residential inspector, 200 paid inspections including at least 25 commercial or more-than-four-unit inspections, plus three supervised commercial inspections. Master certification requires 60 classroom hours and 400 paid inspections as a residential/general inspector, including at least 50 qualifying commercial or more-than-four-unit inspections, plus the commercial-report demonstrations specified in NAC 645D.230.
• Exam: An examination approved by the Nevada Real Estate Division for the certificate.
• Insurance: E&O of $100,000 plus general liability of $100,000.
• Other requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; complete the Division’s certification application.
• Renewal and CE: An inspector certificate is valid for 2 years after the first day of the calendar month following issuance. Renewal requires 20 CE hours earned in the preceding 2 years, including 3 safety and 2 law hours.

Sources: NAC 645D.210 (legal-text mirror) · NAC 645D.390 (legal-text mirror) · NAC 645D.220 (legal-text mirror) · NAC 645D.230 (legal-text mirror) · NRS 645D.190 (legal-text mirror) · NRS 645D.230 (legal-text mirror)

Back to the table

New Hampshire

License. Board of Home Inspectors, Office of Professional Licensure and Certification.

• Education and field training: At least 80 hours of board-approved education covering 9 core systems.
• Exam: The board’s examination rule specifies the NHIE.
• Insurance: Proof of liability insurance is required with the application.
• Other requirements: Age 18+, high school diploma or equivalent, and a New Hampshire State Police criminal record check.
• Renewal and CE: Every 2 years. 20 hours of approved CE.

Sources: N.H. Admin. R. Home 301.03 (legal-text mirror) · N.H. Admin. R. Home 302.01 (legal-text mirror) · N.H. Admin. R. Home 303.01 (legal-text mirror) · N.H. Admin. Code Home 403.01 (legal-text mirror)

Back to the table

New Jersey

License. Home Inspection Advisory Committee, Division of Consumer Affairs.

• Education and field training: Either a 180-hour approved course that includes at least 40 hours of unpaid, supervised field inspections, or 250 paid inspections under a licensee with 500+ inspections and 3+ years' experience.
• Exam: NHIE.
• Insurance: E&O of at least $500,000 per occurrence.
• Other requirements: High school or equivalent and good moral character.
• Renewal and CE: Every 2 years. 40 CE units, including 4 in report writing and 4 in ethics/New Jersey rules. Those 8 units must be in person; approved distance learning may supply up to 32 units. Initial-license exceptions apply under 13:40-15.14(b).

Sources: N.J.A.C. 13:40-15.6 (legal-text mirror) · N.J.A.C. 13:40-15.14 (legal-text mirror)

Back to the table

New Mexico

License. New Mexico Board of Home Inspectors, Regulation and Licensing Department.

• Education and field training: 80 classroom hours (online allowed) plus at least 80 hours of field training that includes at least 30 parallel inspections. You need both the hours and the inspections.
• Exam: A board-approved exam. RLD lists the NHIE or the InterNACHI exam for this route.
• Insurance: E&O coverage of at least $250,000 in aggregate under 16.66.9.9 NMAC, plus the professional-liability coverage required by 16.66.9.10 NMAC with a minimum $250,000 combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage. The two required coverages need not mean two separate policy documents.
• Other requirements: Age 18+ and fingerprints for a state and national background check.
• Renewal and CE: Every 3 years. 60 hours of CE, including 6 in ethics (prorated for shorter first terms). The rule also requires attendance at one board meeting or disciplinary hearing for at least 3 hours, or until it ends or enters closed session sooner; the rule permits specified in-person, recorded or live-distance attendance.
• Fees listed by the state: $250 application; $1,000 three-year license; $1,000 renewal.
• Watch for: The education-and-training route above is for new entrants. The separate experience-and-examination provision is tied to inspections performed between January 1, 2018 and January 1, 2020; it is not a shortcut for a new entrant.

Sources: New Mexico home inspector board rules · NMAC 16.66.9 · RLD: licensing, registration and renewal

Back to the table

New York

License. New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services.

• Education and field training: Either 140 approved hours that include 40 hours of unpaid, supervised field inspections, or 100 supervised inspections under a licensed home inspector, engineer or architect.
• Exam: Either the New York State written exam or the NHIE.
• Insurance: Liability coverage of at least $150,000 per occurrence and $500,000 aggregate.
• Other requirements: High school or equivalent.
• Renewal and CE: Every 2 years. 24 hours of CE.
• Fees listed by the state: $250 application; $50 state exam; $100 renewal.
• Watch for: New York has no formal reciprocity agreement, but the Department may waive education and examination requirements for a qualifying holder of an equivalent out-of-state license. The home-inspector definition excludes new construction and dwellings not previously occupied.

Sources: New York: become a home inspector · New York home inspector FAQ

Back to the table

North Carolina

License. North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure Board.

• Education and field training: A 200-hour pre-licensing program: at least 120 classroom hours and at least 80 field hours with at least 10 site visits, completed within 3 years before you apply. Alternatives exist for board-approved equivalent experience and for North Carolina contractors, architects and engineers.
• Exam: The North Carolina home inspector exam (70% to pass). The NHIE isn't accepted.
• Insurance: General liability of at least $250,000, plus one of: at least $250,000 E&O, or a bond or net assets in the amount prescribed by the board within the statute’s $5,000–$10,000 range.
• Other requirements: High school diploma or equivalent and a national criminal history check.
• Renewal and CE: Annual (expires September 30). 12 hours of CE: a 4-hour Board Update course plus 8 elective hours.
• Fees listed by the state: $35 application; $80 exam; $160 license or renewal.
• Watch for: Use the Home Inspector Licensure Board’s current rules and application; the ordinary entry route is the full home inspector license, not an associate license.

Sources: NC Home Inspector Licensure Act and board rules

Back to the table

North Dakota

Registration. North Dakota Secretary of State.

• Education and field training: No education requirement is set.
• Exam: A passing score on an exam from ASHI, InterNACHI, EBPHI (the NHIE) or ICC.
• Insurance: E&O of at least $100,000.
• Other requirements: Age 18+.
• Renewal and CE: Annual (expires June 30). No CE in the statute.
• Fees listed by the state: $200 registration; $50 renewal.

Sources: North Dakota SOS: home inspectors · N.D. Cent. Code ch. 43-54

Back to the table

Ohio

License. Ohio Home Inspector Board, Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing.

• Education and field training: 80 hours of approved pre-licensing instruction, plus 10 parallel inspections or a board-approved experience curriculum. The alternative curriculum includes at least 40 hours of field work and an approved peer review.
• Exam: NHIE, passed within 2 years before you apply.
• Insurance: General liability of at least $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate.
• Other requirements: Age 18+, high school diploma or GED, and BCI and FBI fingerprint checks. Applying doesn't authorize you to work; wait for the license.
• Renewal and CE: Every 3 years. 14 hours of CE per year (42 per cycle).

Sources: Ohio Rev. Code § 4764.07 (legal-text mirror) · Ohio Rev. Code § 4764.11 (legal-text mirror) · Ohio Rev. Code § 4764.05 (legal-text mirror) · Ohio Rev. Code § 4764.08 (legal-text mirror)

Back to the table

Oklahoma

License. Construction Industries Board.

• Education and field training: 90 clock hours of approved training.
• Exam: A licensing exam through PSI, with at least 70% on each part. Apply first; you can schedule only after the board approves you.
• Insurance: General liability of at least $50,000 combined single limit.
• Other requirements: Age 18+.
• Renewal and CE: Annual. 8 hours of CE.
• Fees listed by the state: $30 application; $250 license ($280 together); $150 renewal.

Sources: Oklahoma home inspector license application · Okla. Admin. Code 158:70

Back to the table

Oregon

State certification. Construction Contractors Board (CCB).

• Education and field training: No fixed hours. You earn 20 qualification points from courses, college credit, ride-along inspections, construction or inspection experience and code certifications.
• Exam: NHIE.
• Insurance: None for the individual certification. The CCB-licensed business you own or work for has its own requirements.
• Other requirements: You must own or work for a CCB-licensed business.
• Renewal and CE: Every 2 years. 30 hours of CE.
• Fees listed by the state: $150 certification.

Sources: Oregon CCB specialty licenses · OCHI certification application

Back to the table

Pennsylvania

Rules, no state license.

• Education and field training: For an inspection under a property-transfer contract’s home-inspection contingency, the inspector must be a full member in good standing of a qualifying national home inspection association, or be supervised by such a member who signs the report. The association definition includes more than 100 inspections performed or participated in. Pennsylvania-licensed architects and professional engineers have the separate exemption in § 7513.
• Exam: Chapter 75 does not establish a Pennsylvania licensing exam. Association membership criteria are not a universal state exam requirement.
• Insurance: E&O and general liability of at least $100,000 per occurrence / $500,000 aggregate, with deductibles of $2,500 or less. Coverage must remain in effect for at least one year after the most recent report.
• Watch for: The qualification rule in § 7506 is tied to inspections under a transfer contract’s inspection contingency. It is not a new state licensing program.

Sources: 68 Pa.C.S. chapter 75

Back to the table

Rhode Island

License (associate → licensed). Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board.

• Education and field training: Associate: assist in at least 50 inspections with a licensed inspector present. Home Inspector: at least 1 year as a licensed associate and 100 paid inspections, or at least 5 aggregate years as a registered/licensed contractor in good standing in any state.
• Exam: An exam approved or administered by the board.
• Insurance: E&O of $500,000 aggregate and general liability of $500,000 aggregate. The policies must specifically cover the inspector.
• Other requirements: High school or equivalent.
• Renewal and CE: Every 2 years. 12 hours of CE, including 1 hour of ethics and 1 of standards of practice.

Sources: R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65.1-4 (legal-text mirror) · R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65.1-5 (legal-text mirror) · R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65.1-10 (legal-text mirror) · 440-RICR-10-00-5

Back to the table

South Carolina

License. Residential Builders Commission, SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

• Education and field training: Either a commission-approved course of training or study in home inspection, or 1 year working under direct supervision of a licensed home inspector, residential builder, general contractor, engineer or architect.
• Exam: The commission-prescribed home inspector examination; a passing score is 70 or better. Rule 106-4(A) also provides an examination-exemption route for applicants with an approved examination-based credential and the specified experience.
• Insurance: The cited home-inspector statute and qualification rule do not set a policy minimum.
• Other requirements: Complete the commission’s application. A residential business seeking to offer home inspections may also need a certificate of authorization; § 40-59-410 contains the applicable business exemptions.

Sources: S.C. Code title 40, chapter 59 · S.C. Code Regs. 106-4 (legal-text mirror)

Back to the table

South Dakota

Registration → license. South Dakota Real Estate Commission.

• Education and field training: Registered: a 40-hour approved course. Licensed: at least 1 year as a registered inspector and at least 100 paid inspections.
• Exam: The South Dakota exam has 190 multiple-choice questions, approximately 90% inspection content and 10% state law. Follow the South Dakota exam instructions rather than booking a different state’s exam.
• Other requirements: High school diploma or equivalent and good moral character. The application process includes a fingerprint-based criminal background check.
• Fees listed by the state: $133 examination. This figure does not include credential application or renewal fees.
• Watch for: “Registered” is a full working credential in South Dakota, not a lesser placeholder.

Sources: South Dakota: how to become a home inspector · South Dakota home inspection study guide · South Dakota home inspector license law book

Back to the table

Tennessee

License. Department of Commerce and Insurance, Home Inspector Licensing Program.

• Education and field training: 90 hours of approved training.
• Exam: NHIE, passed within 5 years before application.
• Insurance: General liability of at least $500,000. E&O is also required; the program says you may set your own E&O limits.
• Other requirements: Age 18+, high school diploma or GED.
• Renewal and CE: Every 2 years. 32 hours of CE.
• Fees listed by the state: $100 application + $200 initial license ($300 total); $200 renewal.

Sources: Tennessee: get a home inspector license · Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-05-12-.05 (legal-text mirror) · Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-05-12-.06 (legal-text mirror)

Back to the table

Texas

License (3 tiers). Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC).

• Education and field training: Apprentice: no course required; you work under a sponsoring professional inspector's direct supervision. Real Estate Inspector: 90 course hours (Module I 40, Module II 40, Business Operations 10), plus 3 months as an apprentice and 25 inspections under direct supervision. Professional: 134 course hours (adds Texas Law 20 and Standards of Practice 24), plus 12 months as a real estate inspector and 175 inspections. The education-substitution routes instead require 154 hours for Real Estate Inspector or 194 hours for Professional, including a 40-hour practicum; they do not require the preceding apprentice/inspector work experience. Three years of qualifying related experience is a separate possible credit for the Property and Building Inspection Modules I and II, not an admission requirement for those substitution routes.
• Exam: National and state exam portions through Pearson VUE. Three failures require more education.
• Insurance: Professional liability (or equivalent) of $100,000 per occurrence, for all tiers.
• Other requirements: Age 18+, U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien, and fingerprints with Texas DPS.
• Renewal and CE: Every 2 years. 32 hours of CE, including the 8-hour Inspector Legal & Ethics and SOP Review course.

Sources: TREC: real estate inspector · TREC: professional real estate inspector · TREC: inspector

Back to the table

Utah

Private Home Inspector license. Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL).

• Education and field training: Utah Code § 58-56-9 requires a Private Home Inspector license effective January 1, 2026. DOPL lists that license separately from Combination Inspector and Limited Inspector licenses. The statute delegates qualification standards to DOPL rules; it does not itself specify course hours or accepted private certifications.
• Watch for: The license requirement is effective January 1, 2026. The accepted-certification list, any examination waiver and current insurance minimum are not established by the linked statute; the private-home-inspector application is the relevant separate source.

Sources: Utah Code § 58-56-9 (legal-text mirror) · DOPL building inspector application categories

Back to the table

Vermont

License. Office of Professional Regulation, Secretary of State.

• Education and field training: 80 hours covering nine core systems. A certification from a nationally recognized organization can replace both the education and the exam only if the Director approves that organization’s requirements as substantially equivalent.
• Exam: A proctored examination approved by the Director, unless the qualifying certification waiver applies.
• Insurance: Section 1063 does not set an insurance minimum in its entry qualifications.
• Other requirements: Age 18+, high school or equivalent.
• Renewal and CE: Every 2 years.
• Watch for: Vermont’s regulated title is “property inspector.” A private certification is not itself the Vermont license.

Sources: 26 V.S.A. chapter 19

Back to the table

Virginia

License. Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR).

• Education and field training: A points system: at least 15 points, with at least 5 from education and 5 from experience. A 35-hour course earns 5 points and a 70-hour course 10; each 5 supervised inspections earns 1 point.
• Exam: NHIE.
• Insurance: General liability of at least $250,000 per occurrence.
• Other requirements: Age 18+ and disclosure of convictions and prior license actions.
• Renewal and CE: Every 2 years. 16 hours of CE.
• Fees listed by the state: $80 application; $45 renewal ($90 with the NRS specialty).
• Watch for: Virginia's qualification rules were amended effective October 1, 2025. The NRS specialty for new homes needs its own training module.

Sources: 18VAC15-40-32 · 18VAC15-40

Back to the table

Washington

License. Department of Licensing.

• Education and field training: 120 classroom hours of board-approved instruction plus 40 hours of field training supervised by a licensed inspector, completed within 2 years before you apply for the exam.
• Exam: A state licensing exam with national and Washington-specific portions.
• Insurance: RCW 18.280.070 does not set an insurance minimum in its initial-license qualifications.
• Renewal and CE: Every 2 years. 24 hours of CE.

Sources: WAC 308-408A-020 · RCW 18.280.070 · RCW 18.280.110 · WAC chapter 308-408A

Back to the table

West Virginia

State certification (required). State Fire Marshal's Office, Regulatory and Licensing Division.

• Education and field training: At least 80 hours of approved education.
• Exam: NHIE or a comparable examination designated by the State Fire Marshal.
• Insurance: General liability of at least $250,000.
• Other requirements: High school or equivalent, fingerprint background check through the WV State Police and FBI, and a West Virginia business license.
• Renewal and CE: Annual. 16 hours of CE.
• Watch for: Use the State Fire Marshal’s home-inspector rules in 103CSR7 for this certification.

Sources: 103CSR7 § 4 (legal-text mirror) · 103CSR7 § 5 (legal-text mirror) · 103CSR7 § 6 (legal-text mirror)

Back to the table

Wisconsin

Registration. Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).

• Education and field training: 40 hours of pre-registration instruction, at least 20 of them hands-on inspection and report writing.
• Exam: NHIE plus an online Wisconsin statutes and rules exam (85% to pass).
• Insurance: The DSPS licensure-by-examination checklist does not list an insurance requirement.
• Renewal and CE: Every 2 years (December 14 of even years). 40 hours of CE.

Sources: Wisconsin DSPS: home inspector licensure by examination · DSPS home inspector: renewal and CE

Back to the table

Wyoming

Wyoming Administration and Information does not list a dedicated home inspector licensing program in the linked directory. That directory finding is not a statement that business registration, local requirements or separately regulated inspection services are exempt.

Sources: Wyoming professional licensing boards · Wyoming Administrative Rules agency directory

Back to the table