With a surging housing market and new technology streamlining scheduling, billing, and reporting, becoming a home inspector is more accessible than ever.
We’ve updated our home inspection licensing map to help you navigate home inspector requirements in 2025. Click on any of the states below for a detailed breakdown of licensing requirements and useful resources.
Considering a career in home inspection? Spectora also offers a state-by-state comparison of the best markets for home inspectors.Every state has different home inspector requirements, but getting a home inspection certification will always give a new inspector an edge. Spectora partners with Inspection Certification Associates (ICA), the largest and most reputable home inspection training provider, to meet all your training needs in both the United States and Canada.
Home inspectors are regulated in Alabama and must renew their licenses annually. As of 2021, Alabama Home Inspectors must complete 15 hours of approved continuing education annually. The Alabama Division of Construction Management is the regulating body.
ATTENTION: HOME INSPECTORS REGISTRATION SECTION
Department of Finance/Division of Construction Management
P. O. BOX 301150
MONTGOMERY, AL 36130-1150
Or complete the application and pay online.
Alabama Division of Construction Management
P.O. Box 301150, Montgomery, Al 36130-1150
Contact: Phyllis Stallworth, Licensing Coordinator
Phone: (334) 242-4802
Email: phyllis.stallworth@realproperty.alabama.gov
Alaska home inspectors are regulated by the Department of Commerce and Economic Development. Licenses are to be renewed every two years and continuing education is required—four hours every year, or eight hours every two years.
Inspectors in Alaska must also obtain an Alaska Business License. You can register as a new home inspector, existing home inspector, or joint registration.
The Division of Corporation and Professional Licensing
P.O. Box 110806
Juneau, AK 99811-0806
Phone: (907) 465-2050
Email: HomeInspectors@Alaska.Gov
Home inspectors are regulated in Arizona with annual renewal. Continuing education is not specified, but pre-licensing education requires a minimum of 84 hours. Experience requirements include 30 parallel home inspections for an inspector-in-training license.
Arizona State Board of Technical Registration
1110 W. Washington Street, Suite 240
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: (602) 364-4930
Inspectors are regulated in Arkansas. The Arkansas Home Inspector Registration Board is the governing body and license renewal is needed annually. Licensing requires 80 pre-licensing hours and 14 annual hours of continuing education (CE)—eight of those CE hours must be classroom hours, and six hours can be online.
Create an online account and apply online or request an application by telephone from the Arkansas Home Inspector Registration Board office.
View updated licensing requirements here.
Home Inspector Registration Board
900 W. Capitol Ave., Suite 400
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: (501) 296-1843
CALIFORNIA
California home inspectors are not state-regulated. However, the California Trade Practice Act (enacted in 1996) prohibits unethical home inspection practices.
The law encourages courts to consider the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics and the California Real Estate Inspection Association (CREIA) when determining whether an inspection meets the required standard of care.
More info can be found at the California Contractors State License Board.
For 24-hour licensing and consumer information, call 1-(800) 321-2752.
Home inspectors are not regulated in the state of Colorado. A 2017 bill was introduced to require licenses and failed to pass. Clients and agents will want to see customer reviews, as well as some type of training and certification.
That said, it's a competitive state and there's a lot more to starting a business than a license. Read our guide on how to become a home inspector in Colorado here.
Home inspectors are regulated by the Department of Consumer Protection, with renewal required every two years. Forty hours of pre-licensing is required, as well as 20 hours of CE. The department provides a list of its approved home inspection schools and pre-licensing courses.
To be eligible for a home inspector license, an applicant must:
To be eligible for a permit as a home inspector intern, an applicant must:
The application can be found here.
Department of Consumer Protection
450 Columbus Blvd., Suite 901
Hartford, CT 06103
Email: dcp.occupationalprofessional@ct.gov
DELAWARE
Home Inspectors in Delaware are regulated by the state. The requirements differ whether you have an active license in another jurisdiction or are a new applicant.
To become a home inspector in Delaware, you have to apply to be a home inspector trainee if you don’t have a current license in another jurisdiction. Trainees are required to complete at least 75 supervised home inspections. These inspections can only commence after the trainee registration has been issued.
If you are currently a licensed inspector, you can apply by endorsement.
Once you have completed a minimum of 75 inspections under supervision, you can take the exam to become licensed.
Division of Professional Regulation
Cannon Building, Suite 203
861 Silver Lake Blvd.
Dover, Delaware 19904
Phone: (302) 744-4500
Fax: (302) 739-2711
Email: customerservice.dpr@delaware.gov
Florida is such a special state that we created a whole article to explain its licensing requirements!
Home inspectors are regulated by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
Continuing education requirements include 14 hours of board-approved education each biennium.
Home Inspectors Licensing Program
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783
Phone: (850) 487-1395
Home inspectors are currently not regulated by the state of Georgia.
Liability insurance and certification through a reputable home inspection training association is recommended.
But even without regulation, there's still tons of work if you want to get your business started. We've made a full guide specific to Georgia.
There is no state licensing requirement to become a home inspector in Hawaii.
Liability insurance and certification through a reputable home inspection training association are recommended.
Home inspectors are currently not regulated by the state of Idaho.
Liability insurance and certification through a reputable home inspection training association are recommended.
Home inspectors are regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
320 W. Washington, 3rd Floor
Springfield, IL 62786
Chicago Offices
100 West Randolph, 9th Floor
Chicago, IL 60601
Telephone: (217) 785-0800
Fax: (217) 782-7645
See our guide for becoming an Illinois home inspector for more tips and information.
Home inspectors are regulated by the Home Inspectors Licensing Board—part of the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.
Home Inspectors Licensing Board
Tracy Hicks, Board Director
Marianna Kassenbrock, Assistant Director
Phone Number: (317) 234-3031
E-mail: pla12@pla.IN.gov
Home inspectors are currently not regulated by the state of Iowa. Liability insurance and certification through a reputable home inspection training association are recommended.
Home inspectors are currently not regulated by the state of Kansas. Liability insurance and certification through a reputable home inspection training association are recommended.
Home inspectors in Kentucky are regulated by the Board of Home Inspectors within the Office of Occupations and Professions.
Kentucky Board of Home Inspectors
Mayo-Underwood Building
500 Mero Street 2NE09
Suite B
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 564-7760
Home Inspectors are regulated by the Louisiana State Board of Home Inspectors.
They have a helpful how-to-get-licensed page that gives the following home inspector requirements.
Louisiana State Board of Home Inspectors
5211 Essen Lane, Suite 9
Baton Rouge, LA. 70809
Phone: (225) 248-1334
Email: Contact Form
MAINE
Home Inspectors are currently not regulated by the state of Maine. Liability insurance and certification through a reputable home inspection training association are recommended.
Home Inspectors are regulated by the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
Maryland Real Estate Appraisers, Appraisal Management Companies, and Home Inspectors
1100 N. Eutaw St. Room 121
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Home inspectors in Massachusetts are regulated by the Board of Registration of Home Inspectors, specifically the Division of Professional Licensure and the Board of Registration of Home Inspectors.
Directions on how to become an Associate Home Inspector can be found here, and include:
Directions on how to become a licensed Home Inspector can be found here, and include:
Division of Professional Licensure
1000 Washington Street, 7th Floor
Boston, MA 02118
Phone: (617) 272-4459
Email: homeinspectorsboard@mass.gov
Home Inspectors are currently not regulated by the state of Michigan.
Liability insurance and certification through a reputable home inspection training association is recommended.
Home Inspectors are currently not regulated by the state of Minnesota.
Liability insurance and certification through a reputable home inspection training association is recommended.
Home Inspectors in Mississippi are regulated by the Mississippi Home Inspector Board.
Mississippi Home Inspector Board
P.O. Box 12685
Jackson, MS 39236
Telephone: (601) 321-6970
Email: info@mrec.state.ms.us
Home Inspectors are currently not regulated by the state of Missouri.
Liability insurance and certification through a reputable home inspection training association is recommended.
Home Inspectors in Montana are regulated by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry as of January 01, 2020.
Montana Department of Labor & Industry
Registration Section
PO Box 8011
Helena, MT 59604
Telephone: (406) 444-7734
Home inspectors are regulated by the state of Nebraska, but the state does not require licensing, pre-licensing education, continuing education, or field training. Beginning January 1, 2023, home inspectors are required to register with the Secretary of State’s Office prior to conducting a home inspection.
Home inspectors are encouraged to take the NHIE to establish credibility and enhance their professional qualifications. Liability insurance is also recommended.
Mailing Address:
Nebraska Secretary of State
P.O. Box 94608
Lincoln, NE 68509-4608
Location:
1201 N Street, Suite 120
Lincoln, NE 68508
Email: sos.licensing@nebraska.gov
Home inspectors in Nevada are regulated by the Nevada Real Estate Division of the Department of Business and Industry.
Home Inspectors in New Hampshire are regulated by the Board of Home Inspectors – Office of Professional Licensure and Certification.
NH Board of Home Inspectors
7 Eagle Square
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 271-2152
Email: HomeInspector@oplc.nh.gov
New Jersey home inspectors are regulated by the Home Inspection Advisory Committee.
State Board of Professional Engineers & Land Surveyors
P.O. Box 45015
Newark, New Jersey 07101
Contact: Michael DeFrancisci, Acting Executive Director
Phone: (973) 504-6460
Home inspectors in New Mexico are licensed and regulated through the New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department.
The licensing application can be found here.
The New Mexico Home Inspectors Board
5500 San Antonio Dr. NE, Suite B
Albuquerque, NM 87109
Phone: (505) 222-2926
Email: home.inspectors@rld.nm.gov
Home Inspectors are licensed and regulated through the Division of Licensing Services.
New York State Department of
State Division of Licensing Services
1 Commerce Plaza
99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor
Albany, NY 12231
Phone: (518) 474-4429
For more details, check out our guide on how to become a home inspector in New York.
Home inspectors in North Carolina are regulated by the Department of Insurance Home Inspector Licensure Board.
North Carolina Home Inspector License Board
325 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-5926
Mailing Address:
Office of State Fire Marshal
1201 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1201
Phone: (919) 647-0027
Home inspectors in North Dakota are regulated by the Secretary of State.
Secretary of State
600 E Boulevard Avenue, Dept 108
Bismarck, ND 58505-0500
Phone: (701) 328-2924
Home inspectors are regulated by the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing and a seven-member Ohio Home Inspector Board.
The state government voted into law in January 2019 that all home inspectors must be licensed if they are being compensated by clients. This bill became effective in November 2019, and the state began accepting applications in 2021.
Ohio Department of Commerce
77 South High Street, 23rd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6133
Phone: (614) 466-4100
Home inspectors in Oklahoma are regulated by the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board.
Construction Industries Board
Oklahoma State
2401 NW 23rd Street, Suite 2F
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
Phone: (405) 521-6550
Home inspectors are regulated by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board.
Construction Contractors Board
700 Summer Street NE, Suite 300
P.O. Box 14140
Salem, Oregon 97309-5052
Phone: (503) 378-4621
Home inspectors in Pennsylvania are not formally licensed by the state. However, a few steps are still required to become a home inspector in Pennsylvania.
Home inspectors are regulated by the Attorney General’s Office. The state has a rule that to be a home inspector, the individual must be a member of a nonprofit organization.
Additionally, Pennsylvania home inspectors are required to carry errors and omissions and general liability Insurance.
See their resources on consumer protection.
Pennsylvania Office of Attorney
General Strawberry Square
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone: (717) 787-3391
Effective July 1, 2013, home inspectors in Rhode Island are regulated by the Contractors Registration and Licensing Board.
After licensing, home inspectors must complete 12 credit hours of continuing education every two years, including at least one hour on standards of practice.
State Building Office
560 Jefferson Blvd, Suite 200
Warwick, RI 02886
Phone: (401) 921-1590
Home inspectors in the state of South Carolina are regulated by the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission.
It's important to note that in South Carolina, licenses expire on June 30 of each even-numbered year.
Residential Builders Commission
110 Centerview Dr.
Columbia, SC 29210
Phone: (803) 896-4696
Email: Contact.RBC@llr.sc.gov
Home inspectors are regulated by the South Dakota Real Estate Commission.
South Dakota Real Estate Commission
118 West Capitol
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: (605) 773-3600
Email: dlr.realestate@state.sd.us
Home inspectors in the state of Tennessee are regulated by the Department of Commerce and Insurance.
Forms and Downloads can be found here.
Home Inspector Licensing Program
500 James Robertson Pkwy, 2nd Floor
Nashville, TN 37243-1138
Phone: (615) 741-1831
Texas is such a special state that we made an entire article to explain its home inspector requirements!
Home inspectors in Texas are regulated by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). They have some of the most thorough oversight and documentation in the country, so you can find links below.
The application to become an Apprentice Inspector can be found here.
The application to become a Real Estate Inspector can be found here.
Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC)
1700 N. Congress Ave., Suite 400
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 936-3000
Home inspectors are currently not regulated by the state of Utah.
Liability insurance and certification through a reputable home inspection training association are recommended.
Home inspectors are regulated by the Vermont Secretary of State.
Office of Professional Regulation
89 Main Street, 3rd Floor
Montpelier VT 05620-3402
Phone: (802) 828-3228
Virginia has transitioned from a voluntary certification program to a mandatory licensure program.
Follow this link for training modules, programs, and licensure requirements.
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400
Richmond, VA 23233-1485
Phone: (804) 367-8595
Email: dpor@dpor.virginia.gov
Home inspectors in the state of Washington are regulated by the Washington State Department of Licensing.
Home Inspectors Department of Licensing
PO Box 3917
Seattle, WA 98124-3917
Phone: (360) 664-6487
DOLINTHomeInspectors@dol.wa.gov
Home Inspectors are currently not regulated by Washington D.C.
Liability insurance and certification through a reputable home inspection training association are recommended.
Home inspectors in West Virginia are regulated by the West Virginia Fire Marshal’s Office.
Office of the State Fire Marshal
1207 Quarrier St, 2nd Floor
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 558-2191
Home inspectors are regulated by the state of Wisconsin, through the Department of Safety and Professional Services.
Department of Regulation and Licensing
1400 East Washington Ave.
P.O. Box 8935
Madison, WI 53705
Phone: (608) 266-2112
Email: dsps@wisconsin.gov
Home inspectors are not regulated by the state of Wyoming.
Liability insurance and certification through a reputable home inspection training association are recommended.
Navigating home inspector requirements in your state is the first step toward building a successful career. Whether you’re just getting started or a seasoned pro looking to stay ahead of the game, knowing your state’s requirements helps you make informed decisions about your next move.
The right training and resources can also make all the difference. Partnering with Inspection Certification Associates (ICA) equips you with the essential education to meet your state's requirements while Spectora provides the business tools to streamline your inspections, reports, and client interactions.
Ready to accelerate your home inspection career? Start your free trial with Spectora today!