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How to get a home inspector license in Alabama. 120 education hours required. NHIE accepted. Government fees: $525+. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Home Inspector
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61% of data points are verified against official sources. 9 fields based on preliminary research. 3 fields need verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Licensed
Regulation
120 hrs
Education Hours
NHIE
Exam Required
Required
E&O Insurance
1 year
Renewal Period
15 hrs
CE Required
Regulation effective since: 2002
Alabama requires state licensing to practice as a home inspector. You must meet education, examination, and other requirements before performing inspections.
Minimum Age
Education Level
Background Check
Fingerprinting
Minimum coverage: $250,000 E&O; GL: $20,000 property damage / $50,000 personal injury per person / $100,000 personal injury per occurrence
Required Education Hours
120 hours
Supervised Field Inspections
35 home inspections (with 120-hour education track) or 100 home inspections (with 35-hour education track) inspections
Online Education Allowed
Approved Education Providers
Curriculum Topics
National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE)
Administered by EBPHI
State-Specific Exam
Passing Score
Scaled score of 500
Exam Fee
$225
NHIE fee paid to EBPHI
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Filing fee for home inspector license application | $300 |
License Fee | Included in application fee |
Exam Fee NHIE fee paid to EBPHI | $225 |
Total Government Fees Application fee + NHIE exam fee; does not include education or insurance costs | $525+ |
Standards Details
Alabama has adopted its own Standards of Practice for home inspectors under the Division of Construction Management
Report Requirements
Written report required; must draft 25 home inspection reports as part of licensure, with 10 reviewed by a qualified inspector
Accepts Out-of-State License
Accepts ASHI Certification
Accepts InterNACHI Certification
Additional Requirements for Reciprocity
Renewal Period
Renewal Fee
Continuing Education
Regulatory Board
Alabama is one of few states requiring both the NHIE and the ASHI Standards and Ethics Examination. Applicants must also draft 25 inspection reports, 10 of which must be reviewed by a qualified inspector with at least 5 years of licensure.
Alabama requires both the NHIE and the ASHI Standards and Ethics Examination
Both exams must be completed within 18 months before applying
The reviewing inspector must have been licensed for at least 5 years
Alabama's age of majority is 19, which may affect the minimum age requirement
Licenses must be renewed by November 1st each year
There is no interstate compact for home inspectors.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Alabama.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#43 of 51
Cost
#38 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Construction and Building Inspectors (SOC 47-4011)
Entry Level
$49,810
25th percentile
Median
$61,500
-15% vs. national avg ($72,120)Experienced
$75,120
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
1,110 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "Construction and Building Inspectors" is broader than home inspectors specifically. It includes government building inspectors, code compliance officers, and other inspection roles with different pay scales.
Source: BLS OEWS – Construction and Building Inspectors (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+5%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+6,600
over 10 years
Annual Openings
12,300
per year (avg.)
131,100 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 4–22 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Alabama Division of Construction Management (DCM) — Licensing Requirements
2–6 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Alabama Division of Construction Management (DCM) — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and practice tests for the NHIE certification exam.
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Alabama requires 120 hours of education to become a licensed home inspector. Visit the state board for approved providers and application details.
Contact the state board for a list of approved education providers.