A complete guide to Virginia's DPOR home inspector license — 35 hours of approved education, 25 supervised ride-along inspections, the NHIE exam, $250,000 general liability insurance, and the software Virginia inspectors trust to stay compliant and grow their business.
| REQUIREMENT | DETAILS | STATUS / RESOURCE |
| Pre-Licensing Education |
35 hours of approved coursework Virginia applicants must complete 35 hours of approved pre-license education covering residential systems and Virginia-specific regulations. Coursework must come from a DPOR-approved provider and prepare candidates for both the NHIE and Virginia field practice. |
Required DPOR Home Inspector Licensure |
| Field Training | 25 supervised ride-along inspections Virginia applicants must complete 25 ride-along inspections under the supervision of a licensed Virginia home inspector. Inspections must be documented and submitted with the license application. |
Required DPOR Home Inspector Licensure |
| Licensing Exam | Pass the National Home Inspector Examination Virginia applicants must pass the National Home Inspector Examination, the board-approved test administered by the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors. The exam is 200 multiple-choice questions with 4 hours allotted; a scaled score of 500 or higher is required to pass. |
$225 Register with PSI |
| General Liability Insurance |
$250,000 minimum per-occurrence coverage
Carry general liability insurance with a minimum of $250,000 per occurrence. Business liability or commercial general liability policies meeting the same minimum may also satisfy the requirement, provided the applicant is listed as an additional insured. Coverage must remain continuous for the life of the license. |
Required DPOR Application Requirements |
|
Application, Renewal & Continuing Education |
$80 application fee, two-year renewal cycle, 16 CE hours per cycle Submit your initial license application through DPOR with the $80 application fee. Virginia home inspector licenses renew every two years and require 16 contact hours of Continuing Professional Education per renewal cycle. Inspectors who wish to inspect newly built homes can pursue the optional New Residential Structure (NRS) specialty — an additional 8-hour Board-approved NRS training module on the Virginia Residential Code. |
Required DPOR Application Requirements |
| OFFICIAL LICENSING RESOURCES |
| DPOR — Home Inspector Licensure dpor.virginia.gov |
| 18 VAC 15-40 — Home Inspector Licensing Regulations dpor.virginia.gov |
| Home Inspector License Application (PDF) dpor.virginia.gov |
| NHIE — Virginia nationalhomeinspectorexam.org |
| VIRGINIA AT A GLANCE | |
| Pre-Licensing Education | 35 Hours |
| Exam | NHIE ($225, 500+ scaled score) |
| General Liability Insurance | $250,000 per occurrence |
| Application Fee | $80 |
| Renewal Cycle | Every 2 Years |
| Continuing Education | 16 hours per cycle |
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SAMPLE REPORTS
Spectora's reports are designed to meet standards — clear findings, photo documentation, and professional presentation that protects you legally and impresses your clients.
WHY SPECTORA
Virginia inspectors work the country's biggest military and federal workforce — PCS moves, security clearances, and tight relocation timelines drive a huge share of every week. Spectora handles the schedule and reports fast enough to keep deals on track.
From Inspection to Invoice in One Tool
Schedule inspections, sign agreements, write reports, collect payments, and manage your clients — all in Spectora. No spreadsheets, no chasing PDFs, and no juggling disconnected tools. Just one login for your entire inspection business workflow.
Where the Wi-Fi Quits, You Don't
Walk the property with Spectora's mobile app — photos, voice notes, and findings save locally as you go. When service drops out in the Blue Ridge or down a backroad in Southside Virginia, your work keeps moving and syncs the moment you're back online.
One Calendar From NoVa to the Coast
Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Tidewater each run on different rhythms — and most VA inspectors work multiple regions. Online scheduling, e-signed agreements, and automated reminders keep your day organized whether you're inspecting in Arlington, Charlottesville, or Virginia Beach.
Grow Referrals From the Tidewater to the Blue Ridge
Automated Google review requests after every report, plus a referral source tracker so you know exactly which agents and clients send you business across Virginia.
Spectora is the #1-rated home inspection software. Start your free trial and see why Virginia inspectors run their business on Spectora.
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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 DPOR Virginia Gov. before submitting your application. Information last reviewed May 2026.
