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How to get a home inspector license in Tennessee. 90 education hours required. NHIE accepted. Government fees: $525. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Home Inspector
Governing Authority
Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance - Home Inspector Licensing Program
Official website →Most information on this page has been verified.
81% of data points are verified against official sources. 1 field based on preliminary research. 5 fields need verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Licensed
Regulation
90 hrs
Education Hours
NHIE
Exam Required
Required
E&O Insurance
2 years
Renewal Period
32 hrs
CE Required
Regulation effective since: 2006
Tennessee 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: $500,000 GL minimum; E&O required but no minimum specified
Required Education Hours
90 hours
Online Education Allowed
Approved Education Providers
Curriculum Topics
National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE)
Administered by EBPHI
Passing Score
Scaled score of 500
Exam Fee
$225
NHIE fee administered by PSI
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Initial license fee | $300 |
License Fee | Included in application |
Exam Fee NHIE fee | $225 |
Total Government Fees License fee + NHIE | $525 |
Standards Details
Tennessee has adopted Standards of Practice under Tennessee Code
Report Requirements
Written report required; must be delivered to client
Accepts Out-of-State License
Accepts ASHI Certification
Accepts InterNACHI Certification
Additional Requirements for Reciprocity
Renewal Period
Renewal Fee
Continuing Education
Tennessee requires $500,000 minimum general liability insurance (among the highest nationally) but does not specify a minimum E&O coverage amount, leaving that to the inspector's discretion. The $300 initial license fee is moderate, and 32 hours of CE per biennium is among the higher renewal requirements.
GL insurance minimum $500,000; E&O required but no minimum specified
90 hours commissioner-approved pre-licensing education
32 hours CE per 2-year renewal cycle
$300 initial license fee
Reciprocity available with Letter of Good Standing
Insurance must name TN Home Inspector Licensing Program as certificate holder
There is no interstate compact for home inspectors.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Tennessee.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#47 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
$48,030
25th percentile
Median
$59,850
-17% vs. national avg ($72,120)Experienced
$73,780
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
1,810 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.
2–6 weeks
Estimated processing time
Study guides and practice tests for the NHIE certification exam.
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Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
Tennessee requires 90 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.