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How to get a home inspector license in Illinois. 60 education hours required. NHIE accepted. Government fees: $250+. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Home Inspector
Governing Authority
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
48% of data points are verified against official sources. 6 fields based on preliminary research. 10 fields need verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Licensed
Regulation
60 hrs
Education Hours
NHIE
Exam Required
Not required
E&O Insurance
2 years
Renewal Period
8 hrs
CE Required
Illinois 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
Required Education Hours
60 hours
Supervised Field Inspections
5 field inspection events under supervision of licensed Illinois home inspector; minimum 70% on field exam inspections
Online Education Allowed
Approved Education Providers
Curriculum Topics
National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE)
Administered by EBPHI
State-Specific Exam
Passing Score
Minimum 70% on final field examination
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $250 |
License Fee | Included in application fee |
Total Government Fees Application fee + exam fee | $250+ |
Standards Details
Illinois Home Inspector License Act establishes standards of practice
Report Requirements
Written report required for each inspection
Accepts Out-of-State License
Accepts ASHI Certification
Accepts InterNACHI Certification
Renewal Period
Renewal Fee
Continuing Education
Illinois is one of the few states that does not accept the NHIE, instead requiring its own state-specific Home Inspector Examination. The CE requirement includes a mandatory 1-hour Sexual Harassment Prevention Training course.
Illinois uses its own state-specific exam, not the NHIE
As of January 1, 2025, 5 supervised field inspection events are required
CE includes mandatory 1-hour Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
Relatively low CE requirement (8 hours per biennium)
There is no interstate compact for home inspectors.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Illinois.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#14 of 51
Cost
#18 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
$51,590
25th percentile
Median
$73,050
+1% vs. national avg ($72,120)Experienced
$97,810
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
3,350 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: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) — Licensing Requirements
2–6 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and practice tests for the NHIE certification exam.
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Illinois requires 60 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.