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Home Inspector
Training: 120 hours | Exam: Yes
Governing Authority
Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) - Home Inspectors Program
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.
Licensed
Regulation
120 hrs
Education Hours
NHIE
Exam Required
Required
E&O Insurance
2 years (biennial)
Renewal Period
24 hrs
CE Required
Application Fee
$720
License application fee
License Fee
Included in application ($720 covers application and initial license)
Exam Fee
$225
Exam fee; retake: $125 state portion, $250 national portion
Washington 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
Washington has adopted Standards of Practice codified in WAC 308-408C
Report Requirements
Written report required; must be delivered to client
Required Education Hours
120 hours
Supervised Field Inspections
40 hours of field training and 5 actual inspections with an experienced home inspector 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
Exam Fee
$300
Initial full exam fee (state + national); $125 state retake, $250 national retake
Overall licensing difficulty: 5/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Browse study guides
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 License application fee | $720 |
License Fee | Included in application ($720 covers application and initial license) |
Exam Fee Exam fee; retake: $125 state portion, $250 national portion | $225 |
Total Government Fees License $720 + exam $300 | $1,020 |
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
Additional Requirements for Reciprocity
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Washington with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Home Inspector Schools in Washington
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Washington has 8% below average — nationally the ratio is 1 per 2,480 residents.
Washington has above-average home inspectors density — competitive market.
Washington ranks #21 out of 51 states by home inspectors per capita.
Washington has one of the highest license fees nationally at $720, requires both state and national exam components ($300), and mandates extensive field training (40 hours mentoring + 5 actual inspections) in addition to 120 classroom hours. Total initial costs exceed $1,000 for government fees alone.
120 hours classroom + 40 hours field training + 5 actual inspections
Both state and national exam required ($300 total)
$720 license fee - among the highest nationally
E&O insurance required
Standards of Practice codified in WAC 308-408C
24 hours CE per biennium
Out-of-state licensees (2+ years) only need state exam portion
Must pass exam within 2 years of eligibility
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 Washington.
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