Home inspectors do more than perform basic walk-throughs of family homes.
They have many critically important duties that include performing comprehensive evaluations and examinations of residential properties.
They perform these comprehensive evaluations on both the inside and the outside of residential properties.
People who work as home inspectors perform inspections on the structure and all systems of various properties.
They evaluate and examine private homes, condominiums, townhomes, and sometimes other residential properties.
Home inspectors examine the structure of properties to look for damage or other structural issues.
This includes checking the foundation and the roof.
They check the flooring, walls, pipes, and all systems to make sure that they are safe.
The systems that they check include the property’s electrical system, plumbing system, and HVAC system.
They also examine properties for other hazards, such as the presence of asbestos, mold, or lead.
One thing that people who want to become housing inspectors need to know is that they do not have to enforce any violations that they find at any property.
They write a report and submit it to the appropriate company, agency, or other entity.
Becoming a housing inspector requires people who want to work in this career to gain the knowledge, skills, and expertise that is required for working in this field.
They must also comply with the licensing, certification, and other requirements of the state where they plan to work.
States That Require Home Inspectors to Have a License
People who want to work as home inspectors are not legally able to do so until they meet licensing requirements for those states that require a license.
The states that require home inspectors to have a license each have their own requirements.
Home inspectors must be licensed in any state that requires them to have a license if they perform the duties of a home inspector in that state, no matter where the home inspectors actually live.
Alabama
The regulating body for home inspectors in the state of Alabama is the Alabama Division of Construction Management.
The state requires people who want to get a license as a home inspector to complete and file a home inspector license application.
Future home inspectors must complete 120 hours of approved home inspector education.
They must also participate in 35 home inspections.
Home inspectors have an alternative option for getting their license.
They may complete 35 hours of approved home inspector education courses and participate in 100 home inspections.
Future home inspectors must provide proof of insurance.
The insurance must include $250,000 for errors and omissions.
It must include proof of liability insurance of $20,000 for injury or damage to property.
It must also include $50,000 for injury or damage to any one person, and $100,000 for injury or damage, including death, to more than one person.
People who want to work as home inspectors in the state of Alabama must also provide proof of their compliance with the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors, National Home Inspector Examination, and the American Society of Home Inspectors Standards and Ethics.
Alaska
The Alaska Department of Commerce and Economic Development regulates home inspectors who work in the state.
Alaska requires new home inspectors and joint home inspector applicants to pass several exams.
Two examples of the exams are the Residential Builder Inspector exam and the Residential Electrical Inspector exam.
People who want to work as home inspectors in Alaska must pass the state exam.
They must also complete the requirements to obtain an Alaska Business License.
Home inspectors must complete the continuing education requirements to renew their license every two years.
Arizona
The state of Arizona requires applicants to pay the required fees when they submit their application.
They must pass the National Home Inspector Exam.
They must also submit proof that they completed at least 84 hours of pre-licensing education.
Home inspectors must also provide proof that they have the required assurance bond.
Arkansas
The state of Arkansas used to only require home inspectors to complete the requirements to obtain their license.
Starting in 2023, home inspectors must now complete an apprenticeship before the state grants their license.
They must provide proof of insurance with their license application.
Connecticut
The Department of Consumer Protection regulates home inspectors who work in the state of Connecticut.
The state requires home inspectors to pass an exam and perform at least 100 supervised home inspections.
They must also complete 40 hours of pre-licensing education.
Delaware
The state of Delaware requires applicants to register as a home inspector trainee if they do not have a current license from another jurisdiction.
Trainees must complete 75 supervised home inspections.
They must also take the exam to obtain their license.
Florida
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation regulates the licensing of home inspectors.
People who want to work as home inspectors in the state must pass an exam.
They must also pass a background check.
The state of Florida requires home inspectors to complete 120 hours of training from an approved provider.
They must also obtain liability insurance.
Home inspectors must complete continuing education coursework for license renewal every two years.
Illinois
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation oversees the regulation of home inspectors who work in the state.
People who want to become home inspectors must complete 60 hours of pre-license education from an approved provider.
They must pass the Illinois State Home Inspector exam.
The state also requires applicants to complete five ride-along inspections with a licensed Illinois home inspector.
Indiana
People who want to become home inspectors in the state of Indiana must pass a background check.
They must also complete a state-approved training program.
The state also requires people who want to become home inspectors to pass the exam and pay the required fees.
Kentucky
The state of Kentucky requires future home inspectors to pass the National Home Inspectors Exam.
Applicants must also have 64 hours of approved training and 16 hours of field training.
Home inspectors must obtain certification of insurance to obtain a license.
Louisiana
The Louisiana State Board of Home Inspectors regulates home inspectors.
Home inspectors must complete 90 hours of classroom education with an approved provider.
They must pass the national exam and complete 30 hours of pre-platform training.
The state requires home inspectors to comply with insurance requirements.
Future home inspectors must meet all requirements for licensure within 36 months of starting the application process.
Maryland
People who want to work as home inspectors in Maryland must pass the National Home Inspectors Exam (NHIE).
They must complete 72 hours of training with a licensed home inspector.
The state also requires home inspectors to have at least $150,000 general liability insurance.
Massachusetts
The state of Massachusetts requires home inspectors to pass the state licensing exam.
They must provide proof that they completed 75 hours of approved education.
Home inspectors must also perform 25 fee-paid home inspections.
They also need to have the required insurance to obtain their license.
Mississippi
The Mississippi Home Inspector Board regulates home inspectors.
People who want to become home inspectors must pass the National Home Inspectors Exam.
They are required to complete an approved 60-hour study course.
Home inspector applicants must show proof of having $250,000 liability insurance.
Montana
People who want to become home inspectors in Montana must be members of the National Home Inspector Association.
They must complete 40 hours of home inspection instruction or show proof that they have passed the state exam.
Home inspectors must comply with insurance requirements.
They must also gain coverage under a workers’ compensation policy.
Nevada
The state of Nevada requires home inspectors to show proof that they either observed 25 home inspections that were performed by a certified general inspector or that they completed an approved 25-inspection course.
Home inspectors must pass the state exam within 12 months of submitting their application to become a home inspector.
They must also show proof of having the required insurance.
New Hampshire
People who want to become home inspectors in New Hampshire must provide proof that they passed the National Home Inspectors Exam.
They must also provide proof that they completed the required 80 hours of board-approved training.
The state requires home inspectors to pay the required fee and carry the required insurance.
New Jersey
New Jersey requires people who want to become home inspectors to complete an approved study course of 180 hours.
The course must include at least 40 hours of unpaid field-based experience under the supervision of a licensed home inspector.
Home inspectors must also carry the minimum amount of insurance required by the state.
New Mexico
The state of New Mexico requires home inspectors to pass either the national or the state exam.
Home inspectors are required to complete 100 home inspections with a certified home inspector.
They must also meet the minimum insurance requirements.
New York
The state of New York requires home inspectors to complete 140 hours of education.
They must complete at least 40 hours of unpaid field experience as a part of those 140 hours.
They must also pass the state exam.
Applicants to become home inspectors must also perform at least 100 home inspections under the supervision of a licensed home inspector.
North Carolina
The state of North Carolina requires people who want to become home inspectors to complete 120 hours of classroom training.
They must also complete 80 hours of a field training course.
Home inspectors must pass the state exam.
They must also carry the required insurance.
North Dakota
Home inspectors in North Dakota must pass an approved exam.
They must submit proof that they have the minimum required insurance when they submit their application.
Ohio
The State of Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing regulates home inspectors.
Ohio did not require home inspectors to have a license until a few years ago.
The state government voted to require home inspectors to have a license in 2019 if they receive any compensation from clients.
Future home inspectors must complete at least 80 hours of pre-licensing education.
They must pass the National Home Inspectors Exam and complete 40 hours of field experience or 10 parallel inspections.
Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Construction Industries Board regulates home inspectors.
People who want to work as home inspectors in the state must complete 90 hours of approved training.
They must also pass the national exam and obtain the required liability insurance.
Oregon
People who want to become home inspectors in Oregon are required to complete 60 hours of approved education or accumulate at least 20 points of qualified experience.
They must also pass the national exam.
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island requires future home inspectors to pass the National Home Inspectors Exam.
They must perform at least 100 home inspections under the supervision of a licensed home inspector.
They must have the required insurance.
South Carolina
People who want to work as home inspectors in South Carolina must complete the Verification of Lawful Presence form.
They are required to pass the Home Inspector Technical Examination.
The state also requires future home inspectors to perform 50 home inspections under the supervision of a licensed home inspector.
They must also provide proof of having at least one year of experience under a supervising licensed home inspector.
South Dakota
The South Dakota Real Estate Commission regulates the licensing of home inspectors.
Applicants who want to become home inspectors are required to complete a state–approved course consisting of at least 40 hours.
They must provide proof of performing at least 100 home inspections for compensation.
Tennessee
The Department of Commerce and Insurance regulates home inspectors in Tennessee.
People who want to become licensed home inspectors must pass the national exam.
The state also requires them to complete an approved 90-hour training program.
Texas
The Texas Real Estate Commission regulates the licensing of home inspectors in Texas.
People who want to become licensed home inspectors must show proof that they have completed the required state education and training hours.
They must also pass the state exam.
The state of Texas requires home inspectors who want to become licensed to become apprentice inspectors and to obtain an intermediate license.
Vermont
People who want to work as home inspectors in Vermont are required to submit evidence to the state that they have an ACI membership through the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI).
The state requires home inspectors to complete 80 hours of approved education and training.
Home inspectors must also pass the national exam to obtain their license.
Virginia
People who want to become home inspectors in Virginia must complete at least 70 hours of approved training and education.
They must pass the state exam and perform 25 home inspections with a licensed home inspector.
Washington
The Washington State Department of Licensing oversees the licensure of home inspectors.
The state requires people who want to become home inspectors to pass a state exam and complete the 120-hour Fundamentals of Home Inspection Course.
They must also complete 40 hours of field training.
West Virginia
The state of West Virginia requires people who want to become home inspectors to complete 80 hours of education and pass the national exam and the state exam.
They must also have the required general liability insurance.
Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services regulates the licensing of home inspectors.
People who want to become home inspectors are required to complete at least 40 hours of pre-registration instruction, which includes at least 20 hours of hands-on training.
The state also requires its home inspectors to pass the national exam.
They must also achieve a minimum score of 85 percent on the Wisconsin Statutes and Rules Examination.
States That Do Not Require Licensure but Mandate Certification or Training
California
The state of California does not require home inspectors to have a license.
The California Trade Practice Act of 1996 prohibits home inspectors from engaging in unethical practices.
Kansas
Kansas does not require home inspectors to have a license.
The state does encourage home inspectors to earn a certification from a reputable home inspection training association.
Maine
The state of Maine encourages home inspectors to obtain a certification through a home inspection training association.
Nebraska
The state of Nebraska requires home inspectors to register with the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office before performing a home inspection.
Home inspectors are not required to have a license.
They are encouraged to pass the national exam.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania does not require home inspectors to have a license.
The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office provides oversight and regulation of home inspectors.
States With No License Requirement but Employer-Based Standards
Several states do not require home inspectors to have a license.
Future home inspectors should not think that there are no regulations or oversight in these states.
Employers in all states, including those with no license requirements, will have their own requirements for home inspectors.
Check with employers to make sure that you meet their requirements.
