Loading...
Loading...
How to get a home inspector license in Washington. 120 education hours required. NHIE accepted. Government fees: $1,020. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Home Inspector
Governing Authority
Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) - Home Inspectors Program
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
61% of data points are verified against official sources. 4 fields based on preliminary research. 8 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
2 years
Renewal Period
24 hrs
CE Required
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
Required Education Hours
120 hours
Supervised Field Inspections
40 hours field training and 5 actual inspections with licensed/experienced inspector inspections
Approved Education Providers
Curriculum Topics
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
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee License application fee | $720 |
License Fee | Included in application |
Exam Fee Exam fee; retake: $125 state portion, $250 national portion | $225 |
Total Government Fees License $720 + exam $300 | $1,020 |
Standards Details
Washington has adopted Standards of Practice codified in WAC 308-408C
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
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.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Washington.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#4 of 51
Cost
#43 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
$73,790
25th percentile
Median
$89,360
+24% vs. national avg ($72,120)Experienced
$103,150
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
2,960 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: Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) - Home Inspectors Program — Licensing Requirements
2–6 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) - Home Inspectors Program — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and practice tests for the NHIE certification exam.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
Washington 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.