A complete guide to Arkansas's AHIRB licensing requirements — classroom education, apprenticeship, two required exams, liability insurance, and the software Arkansas inspectors trust to stay compliant and grow their business.
| REQUIREMENT | DETAILS | STATUS / RESOURCE |
| Pre-Licensing Education BTR-approved coursework |
80 hours, classroom only Complete 80 hours of qualifying education from an AHIRB-approved provider. Arkansas does not accept online or correspondence courses for the pre-licensing requirement — instruction must be in-classroom. The board maintains a list of approved providers on its website. |
Required AHIRB Approved Providers |
| Licensing Exam National exam via PSI |
NHIE (National Home Inspector Examination) Administered at PSI test centers across Arkansas. Computer-based. The exam covers core residential inspection knowledge across 200 multiple-choice questions over four hours, with pass/fail results delivered the same day. Must be passed before submitting your application. |
$225 exam fee Register with PSI |
| Apprenticeship AHIRB required |
Minimum 3 inspections, 10+ hours Required for all applicants since January 1, 2023. |
Required AHIRB Requirements |
| Standards & Ethics Exams Field training requirement |
ASHI Standards & Ethics Examination Must pass the Standards and Ethics Examination, which tests Arkansas's adopted Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. Administered online by ASHI; pay the testing organization directly per the current rate. Must be passed before submitting your application. |
Required ASHI Arkansas |
| Financial Assurance E&O insurance, bond, or assets |
$100,000 minimum coverage Maintain general liability insurance of at least $100,000, issued by an insurance company licensed (or surplus-lines approved) to do business in Arkansas. An original certificate of insurance must be delivered or mailed to the board office — fax or electronic copies are not accepted. Coverage must remain continuous for the life of your registration. |
Required AHIRB Requirements |
| OFFICIAL LICENSING RESOURCES |
| AHIRB — Home Inspector Registration Board labor.arkansas.gov |
| NHIE — Arkansas Requirements nationalhomeinspectorexam.org |
| ASHI — Standards & Ethics homeinspector.org |
| PSI — Schedule NHIE psiexams.com |
| ARKANSAS AT A GLANCE | |
| Education | 80 hours (no online) |
| Exam | NHIE ($225) |
| Field Training | 3 inspections / 10+ hrs |
| E&O Insurance | $100K |
| Application Fee | $250 annually |
| CE (Renewal) | 14 hrs /yr |
| Governing Body | AHIRB |
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SAMPLE REPORTS
Spectora's reports are designed to meet AHIRB's narrative standards — clear findings, photo documentation, and professional presentation that protects you legally and impresses your clients.
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Disclaimer: This page is intended as a general informational resource and does not constitute legal advice. Licensing requirements, fees, and procedures are subject to change. Always verify current requirements directly with the Arkansas Home Inspector Registration Board (AHIRB) before submitting your application. Information last reviewed April 2026.
