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Home Inspector
Training: 40 hours | Exam: Yes
Governing Authority
South Dakota Real Estate Commission (under Department of Labor and Regulation)
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Registered/Licensed (two-tier)
Regulation
40 hrs
Education Hours
NHIE
Exam Required
Not required
E&O Insurance
2 years (biennial)
Renewal Period
24 hrs
CE Required
Application Fee
$200
License Fee
Included in application
South Dakota 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
Not sure if you need a home inspector license? Check whether your state requires one.
Standards Details
South Dakota has adopted Standards of Practice under SDCL chapter 36-32
Report Requirements
Written report required
Required Education Hours
40 hours
Supervised Field Inspections
100 inspections required to upgrade from Registered to Licensed inspections
Approved Education Providers
Curriculum Topics
Find approved Home Inspector pre-licensing courses at The CE Shop →(affiliate link)See our discount
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National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE)
Administered by EBPHI
State-Specific Exam
Overall licensing difficulty: 3/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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Home Inspector Exam Prep Books
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE)
Prepare for your National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) with Mometrix study guides, flashcards, and practice tests.
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| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $200 |
License Fee | Included in application |
Total Government Fees Application + exam + background check fees | $200+ |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Budget tip: Online courses are often more affordable than in-person programs. Compare options →(affiliate link)See our discount
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Renewal Period
Renewal Fee
Continuing Education
Use code LicenseMap35 for 35% off at checkout
Accepts Out-of-State License
Accepts ASHI Certification
Accepts InterNACHI Certification
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare South Dakota with other states →
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Home Inspector Schools in South Dakota
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
South Dakota has 69% below average — nationally the ratio is 1 per 2,480 residents.
South Dakota has below-average home inspectors density — strong demand for new home inspectors.
South Dakota ranks #45 out of 51 states by home inspectors per capita.
South Dakota has a two-tier system where new inspectors start as Registered (requiring only 40 hours of education and a state exam) and can upgrade to Licensed after 1 year, 100 inspections, and passing the NHIE. Application must be filed within 60 days of passing the exam.
Two-tier system: Registered (entry-level) and Licensed (advanced)
40-hour pre-licensing course required for registration
NHIE required only for Licensed tier upgrade
100 inspections + 1 year experience needed to upgrade to Licensed
State and federal criminal background check required
24 hours CE per biennium
There is no interstate compact for home inspectors.
Study guides and practice tests for the NHIE certification exam.
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See full CE requirements in South Dakota.
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