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Home Inspector
The most comprehensive comparison of home inspector licensing requirements. See which states require licensing, which are unregulated, and what it takes to get started in every US state.
39
States Require Licensing
12
States Unregulated
40–200
Education Hours Range
35
Accept NHIE
Home inspection is one of the most varied professions when it comes to regulation. Some states have strict licensing requirements while others have none at all.
39 states require some form of licensing, registration, or certification. 12 states have no state-level requirements — though voluntary certification is always recommended.
The National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) is the most widely accepted exam, used by the majority of regulated states. A few states like Florida and New York require their own state-specific exams instead.
These two professional associations offer voluntary certifications that carry significant weight — even in unregulated states. Many home buyers specifically look for ASHI or InterNACHI certified inspectors.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | Status | Hours | NHIE | E&O Ins. | Gov. Fees | Renewal | CE Req. | SOP | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | Licensed | 120 | Yes | Yes | $525+ | 1 year | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | Registered | — | Yes | Yes | $575+ | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | Certified | 84 | Yes | Yes | — | 1 year | No | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | Registered | 80 | Yes | No | $475+ | 1 year | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| California(CA) | Trade Practice Act (not licensed) | — | No | No | $0 | N/A | No | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | Not regulated | — | No | No | $0 | N/A | No | No | Mar 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | Licensed | 40 | Yes | No | $465 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | Licensed | 140 | Yes | Yes | — | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | Not regulated | — | No | No | $0 | N/A | No | No | Mar 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | Licensed | 120 | Yes | No | — | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | Trade Practice Act (not licensed) | — | No | No | $0 | N/A | No | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | Not regulated | — | No | No | $0 | N/A | No | No | Mar 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | Not regulated | — | No | No | $0 | N/A | No | No | Mar 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | Licensed | 60 | Yes | No | $250+ | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | Licensed | 60 | Yes | No | $275 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | Regulated (Home Inspection Accountability Act) | — | Yes | Yes | $0 | Per association requirements | No | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | Not regulated (licensing expired July 1, 2013) | — | No | No | $0 | N/A | No | No | Mar 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | Licensed | 64 | Yes | No | — | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | Licensed | 90 | Yes | Yes | $425+ | 1 year | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | Not regulated | — | No | No | $0 | N/A | No | No | Mar 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | Licensed | 72 | Yes | No | $600 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | Licensed | 75 | Yes | Yes | — | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | Not regulated | — | No | No | $0 | N/A | No | No | Mar 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | Not regulated | — | No | No | $0 | N/A | No | No | Mar 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | Licensed | 60 | Yes | Yes | $725 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | Not regulated (licensing effective Jan 1, 2027) | — | No | No | $0 | N/A | No | No | Mar 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | Registered | 40 | Yes | Yes | $305 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | Registered | — | No | No | $300 | 2 years | No | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | Certified | 40 | No | Yes | — | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | Licensed | 80 | Yes | No | — | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | Licensed | 180 | Yes | Yes | — | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | Licensed | 80 | Yes | Yes | — | 3 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| New York(NY) | Licensed | 140 | Yes | No | $475 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | Licensed | 200 | No | Yes | $275 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | Registered | — | Yes | Yes | $425 | 1 year | No | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | Licensed | 80 | Yes | No | $475+ | 3 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | Licensed | 90 | Yes | No | — | 1 year | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | Certified | 60 | Yes | No | $375 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | Regulated (association membership required) | — | Yes | Yes | $0 | Per association requirements | No | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | Licensed | — | No | Yes | $200+ | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | Licensed | — | Yes | No | $80+ | 2 years | No | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | Registered/Licensed (two-tier) | 40 | Yes | No | $200+ | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | Licensed | 90 | Yes | Yes | $525 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | Licensed | 194 | Yes | No | $412.25 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | Licensed | — | Yes | Yes | — | — | No | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | Licensed | 80 | Yes | No | — | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | Licensed | 70 | Yes | No | $305 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | Licensed | 120 | Yes | Yes | $1,020 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | Certified | 80 | Yes | No | — | 1 year | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | Registered | 40 | Yes | No | $355 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | Unregulated | — | No | No | $0 | — | No | No | Mar 2026 |
Home inspectors often work alongside real estate professionals. Explore related licensing requirements.
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See the full comparison table above for all 51 states.
In-depth articles to help you get licensed
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