In the United States there is no federal home inspector license: each state decides whether to require a license, registration, certification, or nothing at all. This table gathers the current rule and the responsible agency in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Updated: September 2026
How to read the table. The first column shows the state. The second shows, in this order, the type of requirement, the law or regulation that establishes it, the agency that enforces it, and the link to the official site where you can review the full text and requirements.
License, registration, and certification are not the same. A license usually requires study hours, an exam (typically the NHIE), insurance, and continuing education. Registration may be limited to signing up and showing proof of insurance. Certification is the term some states use for a permit equivalent to a license.
Showing 51 of 51 jurisdictions
| State | Regulation governing the practice of home inspection |
|---|---|
| Alabama |
License required
Code of Alabama §34-14B-1 et seq.; Ala. Admin. Code ch. 355-17-1 (licensing) and 355-18-1 (standards of practice and ethics). Alabama Division of Construction Management View the regulation on the official site for Alabama (opens in a new tab) |
| Alaska |
Registration required
Alaska Statutes AS 08.18; regulation 12 AAC 22 (certificate of registration for new, existing, or both types of homes). Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing View the regulation on the official site for Alaska (opens in a new tab) |
| Arizona |
Certification required
Arizona Revised Statutes §32-122.02; Arizona Administrative Code, Title 4, Ch. 30. Arizona State Board of Technical Registration View the regulation on the official site for Arizona (opens in a new tab) |
| Arkansas |
Registration required
Arkansas Home Inspectors Registration Act, Ark. Code Ann. §17-52-301 et seq.; Board rules (Ark. Code R. 235.00.22-002). Arkansas Home Inspector Registration Board View the regulation on the official site for Arkansas (opens in a new tab) |
| California |
Regulated without a state license
Cal. Business & Professions Code §§7195–7199: defines the inspection, the standard of care, and prohibited practices. There is no state license. California Legislature (published code) View the regulation on the official site for California (opens in a new tab) |
| Colorado |
No specific state regulation
There is no state licensing or registration law. General consumer-protection and contract laws apply. State regulation reference (EBPHI) View the regulation on the official site for Colorado (opens in a new tab) |
| Connecticut |
License required
Connecticut General Statutes, Ch. 400f (§20-490 et seq.); Regs. Conn. State Agencies §20-491. Department of Consumer Protection, Home Inspection Licensing Board View the regulation on the official site for Connecticut (opens in a new tab) |
| Delaware |
License required
Delaware Code, Title 24, Ch. 41; 24 Del. Admin. Code 4100. Delaware Board of Home Inspectors View the regulation on the official site for Delaware (opens in a new tab) |
| District of Columbia |
No specific state regulation
There is no license specific to home inspectors. Business-license and consumer-protection rules apply. Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection View the regulation on the official site for the District of Columbia (opens in a new tab) |
| Florida |
License required
Florida Statutes §§468.8311–468.8324 (Ch. 468, Part XV); Florida Administrative Code, Ch. 61-30. Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) View the regulation on the official site for Florida (opens in a new tab) |
| Georgia |
No license in effect (law pending)
There is currently no state license. SB 458, the “Home Inspector Licensing Act of Georgia,” passed both chambers in March 2026 and provides for mandatory licensing from January 1, 2028. Verify its enactment. Georgia General Assembly View the regulation on the official site for Georgia (opens in a new tab) |
| Hawaii |
No specific state regulation
There is no state licensing or registration law. State regulation reference (EBPHI) View the regulation on the official site for Hawaii (opens in a new tab) |
| Idaho |
No specific state regulation
There is no state licensing or registration law. State regulation reference (EBPHI) View the regulation on the official site for Idaho (opens in a new tab) |
| Illinois |
License required
Home Inspector License Act, 225 ILCS 441; 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1410. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) View the regulation on the official site for Illinois (opens in a new tab) |
| Indiana |
License required
Indiana Code, Title 25, Art. 20.2; 876 IAC 3. Indiana Home Inspectors Licensing Board View the regulation on the official site for Indiana (opens in a new tab) |
| Iowa |
Regulated without a state license
Senate File 460 (2025), effective July 1, 2025: requires membership in a national inspector association (or supervision by a member), liability insurance, and minimum report content. There is no state license. Iowa Legislature View the regulation on the official site for Iowa (opens in a new tab) |
| Kansas |
No specific state regulation
The inspector registration law expired on July 1, 2013 and was not renewed. State regulation reference (EBPHI) View the regulation on the official site for Kansas (opens in a new tab) |
| Kentucky |
License required
Kentucky Revised Statutes KRS 198B.700–198B.738; 831 KAR Ch. 2. Kentucky Board of Home Inspectors View the regulation on the official site for Kentucky (opens in a new tab) |
| Louisiana |
License required
Louisiana Revised Statutes 37:1471 et seq.; Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 46, Part XL. Louisiana State Board of Home Inspectors View the regulation on the official site for Louisiana (opens in a new tab) |
| Maine |
No specific state regulation
There is no state licensing or registration law. State regulation reference (EBPHI) View the regulation on the official site for Maine (opens in a new tab) |
| Maryland |
License required
Md. Code, Business Occupations & Professions §16-3.5-01 et seq.; COMAR 09.36. State Commission of Real Estate Appraisers, AMCs and Home Inspectors View the regulation on the official site for Maryland (opens in a new tab) |
| Massachusetts |
License required
Massachusetts General Laws, Ch. 112 §§221–226; 266 CMR. Board of Registration of Home Inspectors View the regulation on the official site for Massachusetts (opens in a new tab) |
| Michigan |
No specific state regulation
There is no state licensing or registration law. State regulation reference (EBPHI) View the regulation on the official site for Michigan (opens in a new tab) |
| Minnesota |
No specific state regulation
There is no state licensing or registration law. State regulation reference (EBPHI) View the regulation on the official site for Minnesota (opens in a new tab) |
| Mississippi |
License required
Mississippi Code Ann. §73-60-1 et seq. (Home Inspector Regulatory Act). Mississippi Home Inspector Board (MREC) View the regulation on the official site for Mississippi (opens in a new tab) |
| Missouri |
No license in effect (law pending)
There is currently no state license. In the 2026 session, HB 1832 was introduced to create the Missouri Home Inspectors Board with licensing from January 1, 2027. Verify its status. Division of Professional Registration View the regulation on the official site for Missouri (opens in a new tab) |
| Montana |
License required
Montana Code Annotated, Title 39, Ch. 9 (§39-9-212 et seq.), amended by HB 225 (2025): registration became a license as of January 1, 2026. Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Home Inspector Program View the regulation on the official site for Montana (opens in a new tab) |
| Nebraska |
Registration required
Nebraska Revised Statutes §76-3601 et seq.: mandatory registration with the Secretary of State since January 1, 2023. Nebraska Secretary of State, Licensing Division View the regulation on the official site for Nebraska (opens in a new tab) |
| Nevada |
Certification required
Nevada Revised Statutes, Ch. 645D; Nevada Administrative Code, Ch. 645D (Inspectors of Structures). Nevada Real Estate Division View the regulation on the official site for Nevada (opens in a new tab) |
| New Hampshire |
License required
New Hampshire RSA 310-A:185 et seq.; Board of Home Inspectors rules. Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, Board of Home Inspectors View the regulation on the official site for New Hampshire (opens in a new tab) |
| New Jersey |
License required
N.J. Statutes Ann. 45:8-61 et seq. (Home Inspection Professional Licensing Act); N.J.A.C. 13:40-15. Home Inspection Advisory Committee, Division of Consumer Affairs View the regulation on the official site for New Jersey (opens in a new tab) |
| New Mexico |
License required
Home Inspector Licensing Act, NMSA 1978 §61-24D-1 et seq.; 16.66 NMAC. New Mexico Home Inspectors Board (Regulation and Licensing Department) View the regulation on the official site for New Mexico (opens in a new tab) |
| New York |
License required
New York Real Property Law, Art. 12-B; 19 NYCRR Part 197. New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services View the regulation on the official site for New York (opens in a new tab) |
| North Carolina |
License required
N.C. General Statutes §143-151.43 et seq. (Home Inspector Licensure Act); 11 NCAC 08. North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure Board View the regulation on the official site for North Carolina (opens in a new tab) |
| North Dakota |
Registration required
North Dakota Century Code, Ch. 43-54 (annual registration with the Secretary of State). North Dakota Secretary of State View the regulation on the official site for North Dakota (opens in a new tab) |
| Ohio |
License required
Ohio Revised Code, Ch. 4764; Ohio Administrative Code, Ch. 1301:17-1. Ohio Home Inspector Board, Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing View the regulation on the official site for Ohio (opens in a new tab) |
| Oklahoma |
License required
Home Inspection Industry Act, 59 Okla. Stat. §858-621 et seq.; OAC 158:70. Oklahoma Construction Industries Board View the regulation on the official site for Oklahoma (opens in a new tab) |
| Oregon |
Certification required
Oregon Revised Statutes 701.350–701.360; Oregon Administrative Rules, Div. 812-008. Oregon Construction Contractors Board View the regulation on the official site for Oregon (opens in a new tab) |
| Pennsylvania |
Regulated without a state license
Home Inspection Law, 68 Pa. C.S. §§7501–7512: requires active membership in a national association, insurance, and compliance with its standards of practice. There is no state license. Pennsylvania General Assembly (published code) View the regulation on the official site for Pennsylvania (opens in a new tab) |
| Rhode Island |
License required
Rhode Island General Laws, Ch. 5-65.1 (Home Inspectors). Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board View the regulation on the official site for Rhode Island (opens in a new tab) |
| South Carolina |
License required
S.C. Code Ann. §40-59-510 et seq.; S.C. Code Regs. Ch. 106. South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (LLR) View the regulation on the official site for South Carolina (opens in a new tab) |
| South Dakota |
License required
South Dakota Codified Laws, Ch. 36-21C (two-tier system: registration and license). South Dakota Real Estate Commission View the regulation on the official site for South Dakota (opens in a new tab) |
| Tennessee |
License required
Tennessee Code Ann. §62-6-301 et seq. (Home Inspector License Act); Rule 0780-05-12. Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance View the regulation on the official site for Tennessee (opens in a new tab) |
| Texas |
License required
Texas Occupations Code, Ch. 1102; 22 Texas Administrative Code, Ch. 535 (includes standards of practice §§535.227–535.233). Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) View the regulation on the official site for Texas (opens in a new tab) |
| Utah |
License required
Utah Code §58-56-9, created by HB 58 (2025); Utah Admin. Code R156-56. “Private Home Inspector” license available since May 1, 2026. Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) View the regulation on the official site for Utah (opens in a new tab) |
| Vermont |
License required
26 V.S.A. Ch. 19, Property Inspectors (§§1051–1095); Code of Vermont Rules 04-030-007. Office of Professional Regulation (Secretary of State) View the regulation on the official site for Vermont (opens in a new tab) |
| Virginia |
License required
Code of Virginia, Title 54.1, Ch. 5 (§54.1-500 et seq.); 18VAC15-40. Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors (DPOR) View the regulation on the official site for Virginia (opens in a new tab) |
| Washington |
License required
Revised Code of Washington, Ch. 18.280; WAC 308-408A and 308-408C. Washington State Department of Licensing View the regulation on the official site for Washington (opens in a new tab) |
| West Virginia |
Certification required
W. Va. Code §15A-10-5; legislative rule 103 CSR 7, Certification of Home Inspectors. Office of the State Fire Marshal, Regulatory and Licensing Division View the regulation on the official site for West Virginia (opens in a new tab) |
| Wisconsin |
Registration required
Wisconsin Statutes §§440.97–440.978; Wis. Admin. Code SPS 131–134. Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) View the regulation on the official site for Wisconsin (opens in a new tab) |
| Wyoming |
No specific state regulation
There is no state licensing or registration law. State regulation reference (EBPHI) View the regulation on the official site for Wyoming (opens in a new tab) |
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