Home Inspector Licensing in Texas
A complete guide to Texas's three-tier TREC inspector license — 154 to 194 hours of approved education, the NHIE plus a Texas state law exam, $100,000 liability insurance, and the software Texas inspectors trust to stay compliant and grow their business.
| REQUIREMENT | DETAILS | STATUS / RESOURCE |
| Pre-Licensing Education |
154 hours for Real Estate Inspector, 194 hours for Professional Real Estate Inspector applicants must complete 154 hours of TREC-approved coursework (including a 40-hour practicum). Professional Real Estate Inspector applicants must complete 194 hours (including the same 40-hour practicum). All applicants must take the 8-hour Inspector Legal & Ethics and Standards of Practice Review course. Coursework must come from a TREC-approved education provider. |
Required TREC Approved Course |
| License Tier |
Three-tier structure: Apprentice → Real Estate Inspector → Professional
|
Required TREC License Types |
| Licensing Exam |
Pass the NHIE plus the Texas state law exam |
$199 Schedule with Pearson VUE |
| Background Check & Insurance | Fingerprinting required, plus $100K liability insurance or surety bond Applicants must submit fingerprints to the Texas Department of Public Safety as part of the background check. For financial responsibility, you must either carry liability insurance with $100,000 per occurrence and $100,000 aggregate annual coverage (using TREC's Certificate of Insurance form) or post a surety bond using TREC's Proof of Financial Responsibility form. |
Required TREC Requirements |
| Application, Renewal & Continuing Education |
Application fees, two-year cycle, 32 CE hours per renewal Application fees through TREC are $100 for the Real Estate Inspector license and $120 for the Professional Real Estate Inspector license, plus $10 after passing the exam. Licenses renew every two years. CE requirement per renewal period is 32 hours, which must include the 8-hour Inspector Legal & Ethics and SOP Review course. |
Required TREC Requirements |
| OFFICIAL LICENSING RESOURCES |
| TREC — Become an Inspector trec.texas.gov |
| TREC — Fee Schedule trec.texas.gov |
| TREC Real Estate Inspector SOPs trec.texas.gov |
| NHIE — Texas nationalhomeinspectorexam.org |
| TREC — Renew Inspector License trec.texas.gov |
| TEXAS AT A GLANCE | |
| License Tiers | Apprentice / Inspector / Professional |
| Pre-Licensing Education | 154 or 194 HRs (by tier) |
| Exam | NHIE + TX state $199 |
| Background Check | Fingerprinting via TX DPS |
| E&O Insurance | $100K per occurrence |
| CE (Renewal) | 32 hours per cycle |
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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 TREC before submitting your application. Information last reviewed May 2026.