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Home Inspector
The most comprehensive comparison of home inspector licensing requirements. See which states require licensing, which are unregulated, and what it takes to get started in every US state.
39
States Require Licensing
12
States Unregulated
40–200
Education Hours Range
35
Accept NHIE
Not sure which license is right for you?
Take the 2-Minute Career Quiz →Home inspection is one of the most varied professions when it comes to regulation. Some states have strict licensing requirements while others have none at all.
39 states require some form of licensing, registration, or certification. 12 states have no state-level requirements — though voluntary certification is always recommended.
The National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) is the most widely accepted exam, used by the majority of regulated states. A few states like Florida and New York require their own state-specific exams instead.
These two professional associations offer voluntary certifications that carry significant weight — even in unregulated states. Many home buyers specifically look for ASHI or InterNACHI certified inspectors.
Side-by-side fees, hours, exams, and timelines across all 50 states. Sort by cost, hours, or any column.
Compare All StatesFind out if your license transfers to another state and what extra steps are needed.
Check ReciprocityBrowse approved programs by state — compare costs, requirements, and timelines.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | Status | Hours | NHIE | E&O Ins. | Gov. Fees | Renewal | CE Req. | SOP | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | Licensed | 120 | Yes | Yes | $525+ | 1 year | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | Registered | — | Yes | Yes | $575+ | 2 years (expire June 30 of even-numbered years) | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | Certified | 84 | Yes | Yes | — | 1 year | No | Yes | April 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | Registered | 80 | Yes | No | $475+ | Annual (renewed by December 31 each year) | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| California(CA) | Trade Practice Act (not licensed) | — | No | No | $0 | N/A | No | Yes | April 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | Not regulated | — | No | No | $0 | N/A | No | No | April 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | Licensed | 40 | Yes | No | $465 | 2 years (licenses expire June 30 of odd years) | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | Licensed | 140 | Yes | Yes | — | 2 years | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | Not regulated | — | No | No | $0 | N/A | No | No | April 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | Licensed | 120 | Yes | No | — | 2 years (biennial) | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | Trade Practice Act (not licensed) | null | No | No | $0 | N/A | No | Yes | April 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | Not regulated | — | No | No | $0 | N/A | No | No | April 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | Not regulated | — | No | No | $0 | N/A | No | No | April 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | Licensed | 60 | Yes | No | $250+ | 2 years | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | Licensed | 60 | Yes | No | $275 | 2 years (biennial; licenses expire October 1 of odd-numbered years) | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | Regulated via Senate File 460 (Home Inspection Accountability Act), effective July 1, 2025; association-membership model, not a traditional license | — | Yes | Yes | $0 – Iowa does not issue a state license and charges no state application or license fee | Per association requirements | No | Yes | April 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | Not regulated. Licensing legislation expired July 1, 2013 and was not extended. | — | No | No | $0 | N/A | No | No | April 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | Licensed | 64 | Yes | No | — | 2 years | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | Licensed | 90 | Yes | Yes | $425+ | 1 year (annual) | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | Not regulated | — | No | No | $0 | N/A | No | No | April 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | Licensed | 72 | Yes | No | $600 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | Licensed | 75 | Yes | Yes | — | 2 years | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | Not regulated | — | No | No | $0 | N/A | No | No | April 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | Not regulated | — | No | No | $0 (state level) | N/A | No | No | April 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | Licensed | 60 | Yes | Yes | $725 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | Not regulated (licensing effective Jan 1, 2027) | — | No | No | $0 | N/A | No | No | April 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | Registered | 40 | Yes | Yes | $305 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | Registered | — | No | No | $300 | 2 years | No | Yes | April 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | Certified (residential inspector license / Inspector of Structures certificate) | 40 | No | Yes | — | 2 years | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | Licensed | 80 | Yes | No | — | 2 years (biennial) | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | Licensed | 180 | Yes | Yes | — | 2 years | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | Licensed | 80 | Yes | Yes | — | 3 years | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| New York(NY) | Licensed | 140 | Yes | No | $475 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | Licensed | 200 | No | Yes | $275 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | Registration | — | Yes | Yes | $425 | Annual, due by June 30 each year | No | Yes | April 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | Licensed | 80 | Yes | No | $475+ | 3 years | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | Licensed | 90 | Yes | No | — | 1 year (annual) | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | Certified | 60 | Yes | No | $375 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | Regulated (association membership required) | — | Yes | Yes | $0 | Per association requirements | No | Yes | April 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | Licensed | — | No | Yes | $200+ | 2 years | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | Licensed | — | Yes | No | $80+ | 2 years | No | Yes | April 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | Registered/Licensed (two-tier) | 40 | Yes | No | $200+ | 2 years (biennial) | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | Licensed | 90 | Yes | Yes | $525 ($300 application + $225 NHIE exam fee) | 2 years | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | Licensed | 194 | Yes | No | $412.25 | 2 years (biennial) | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | Licensed | — | Yes | Yes | — | — | No | Yes | April 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | Licensed | 80 | Yes | No | — | 2 years | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | Licensed | 70 | Yes | No | $305 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | Licensed | 120 | Yes | Yes | $1,020 | 2 years (biennial) | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | Certified | 80 | Yes | No | — | 1 year | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | Registered (Registration) | 40 | Yes | No | $355 | 2 years (renewal by 12/14 of each even-numbered year) | Yes | Yes | April 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | Unregulated | null | No | No | $0 | — | No | No | April 2026 |
Home inspectors often work alongside real estate professionals. Explore related licensing requirements.
Study guides and practice tests for the NHIE certification exam.
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See the full comparison table above for all 51 states.
In-depth articles to help you get licensed
Moving to a new state?
See which states have reciprocity for Home Inspector licenses and what's required to transfer.
Explore similar licensing requirements
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