Are Home Inspectors Licensed in Your State? A State-by-State Guide
Not every state requires home inspectors to be licensed. Whether you're entering the industry or hiring an inspector, it's important to know the local regulations. This table summarizes the license and training requirements for all 50 U.S. states.
| State | Licensed? | Training/Exam Requirement | Licensing Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | 120 hours + NHIE | Alabama Building Commission |
| Alaska | Yes | 140 hours + 50 inspections or NHIE | Dept. of Commerce |
| Arizona | Yes | 84 hours + NHIE + ride-alongs | Board of Technical Registration |
| Arkansas | Yes | 80 hours + NHIE + background check | Home Inspector Registration Board |
| California | No | None | N/A |
| Colorado | No | None | N/A |
| Connecticut | Yes | Apprenticeship or 100 inspections + NHIE | Dept. of Consumer Protection |
| Delaware | Yes | 140 hours + NHIE + background check | Board of Home Inspectors |
| Florida | Yes | 120 hours + NHIE or state exam | DBPR |
| Georgia | No | None | N/A |
| Hawaii | No | None | N/A |
| Idaho | No | None | N/A |
| Illinois | Yes | 60 hours + 5 inspections + exam | Dept. of Financial & Professional Reg. |
| Indiana | Yes | 60 hours + NHIE | Professional Licensing Agency |
| Iowa | No | None | N/A |
| Kansas | No | None | N/A |
| Kentucky | Yes | 64 hours + NHIE | Board of Home Inspectors |
| Louisiana | Yes | 90 hours + NHIE + mentorship | Board of Home Inspectors |
| Maine | No | None | N/A |
| Maryland | Yes | 72 hours + NHIE | Commission of Real Estate Appraisers |
| Massachusetts | Yes | 75 hours + 25 supervised inspections + exam | Division of Professional Licensure |
| Michigan | No | None | N/A |
| Minnesota | No | None | N/A |
| Mississippi | Yes | 60 hours + NHIE | Regulatory Board |
| Missouri | No | None | N/A |
| Montana | No | None | N/A |
| Nebraska | No | None | N/A |
| Nevada | Yes | 40-60 hours + experience | Real Estate Division |
| New Hampshire | Yes | 80 hours + exam | Licensure & Certification Office |
| New Jersey | Yes | 180 hours + 40 field or 250 inspections | Home Inspection Advisory Committee |
| New Mexico | Yes | 80 hours + NHIE | Licensing Department |
| New York | Yes | 140 hours + 40 hours field | Dept. of State |
| North Carolina | Yes | 120 hours + 80 field + exam | Licensure Board |
| North Dakota | No | None | N/A |
| Ohio | Yes | 80 hours + NHIE | Division of Real Estate |
| Oklahoma | Yes | 90 hours + NHIE + background check | Construction Industries Board |
| Oregon | Yes | 20 hours + NHIE + field training | CCB |
| Pennsylvania | Not Licensed | Membership in org + SOP compliance | N/A |
| Rhode Island | Yes | 80 hours + NHIE | Contractors’ Registration Board |
| South Carolina | Yes | 120 hours + NHIE | Residential Builders Commission |
| South Dakota | No | None | N/A |
| Tennessee | Yes | 90 hours + NHIE | Department of Commerce |
| Texas | Yes | 194 hours + field + practicum | Texas Real Estate Commission |
| Utah | No | None | N/A |
| Vermont | Yes | 80 hours + NHIE | Office of Professional Regulation |
| Virginia | Yes | 35 hours + NHIE + fieldwork | DPOR |
| Washington | Yes | 120 hours + 40 field | Dept. of Licensing |
| West Virginia | Yes | 80 hours + NHIE | Fire Marshal’s Office |
| Wisconsin | Yes | NHIE only | Dept. of Safety & Prof. Services |
| Wyoming | No | None | N/A |
Last updated: July 2025 — Always confirm with your state licensing board for the most up-to-date requirements.
