How often do I renew a home inspector license in Illinois?
The 2026 Home Inspector Renewal deadline is November 30, 2026.
Source and quotation
The 2026 Home Inspector Renewal deadline is November 30, 2026.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
How to Get a Home inspector License in Illinois (2026)
Quick answer
Licensees first licensed on or after September 1, 2026 need no CE for the 2026 renewal cycle.
Required hours
60-hour prelicense course plus a field course and field examination of at least 15 hours.
Exam
Pass a written licensing examination.
Renewal
The 2026 Home Inspector Renewal deadline is November 30, 2026.
Continuing education
12 hours
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
How do I get this license?
Check the licensing authority
Board
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Real Estate
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION Division of Real Estate
Official sourceOfficial agency page
Check your qualifications
Education
High school diploma or GED.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Minimum Education: High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
Official sourceRequired hours
60-hour prelicense course plus a field course and field examination of at least 15 hours.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Pre-License Course 60 hours Pre-license field course & field exam minimum of 15 hours
Official sourceExperience
The prelicense field course includes five field inspections and a final field examination.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Pre-license field course containing 5 field inspections and a final field examination
Official sourceExam
Pass a written licensing examination.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Exam: Must pass a written licensing exam
Official sourcePrepare your application
Apply with the agency
Reciprocity
Licensure by endorsement is available; submit certification of good standing documenting licensure, education, examinations and discipline.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Attach a certification of good standing from the state(s) in which you hold a license as a home inspector.
Official sourceConfirm your next step with the agency
Review the official instructions for your situation before applying.
Open the official agency page
What else should I know?
Agency guidance
Licensees first licensed on or after September 1, 2026 need no CE for the 2026 renewal cycle.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
If the home inspector was first licensed on or after September 1, 2026: • No CE is required.Official source
Agency guidance
Renew using the License Renewals link on https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/homeinspect.html
When do I renew, and is CE required?
Renewal
The 2026 Home Inspector Renewal deadline is November 30, 2026.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The 2026 Home Inspector Renewal deadline is November 30, 2026.Official source
Continuing education hours
12 hours
Continuing education topics
12 hours of CE is required, of which 8 hours must be approved as Mandatory, and a Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
12 hours of CE is required, of which 8 hours must be approved as Mandatory, and a Sexual Harassment Prevention TrainingOfficial source
Have a license or permit? Use the expiration date printed on it to set up your calendar and reminders.
What does it cost?
Application fee
$250
Bonds and insurance
Insurance
At least $100,000 general liability coverage.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
I maintain general liability insurance in the amount of at least $100,000Official source
Confirm the charges and conditions for your application with the official agency.
What are the common questions?
Which official sources support this guide?
Official sources and verification (16)
Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
Board
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Real Estate
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Real Estate
ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION Division of Real EstateOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Official agency page
https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/homeinspect.html
Home InspectionOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Apply with the agency
https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/homeinspect.html
Home InspectorOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / Education
High school diploma or GED.
High school diploma or GED.
Minimum Education: High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED)Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / Required hours
60-hour prelicense course plus a field course and field examination of at least 15 hours.
60-hour prelicense course plus a field course and field examination of at least 15 hours.
Pre-License Course 60 hours Pre-license field course & field exam minimum of 15 hoursOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / Experience
The prelicense field course includes five field inspections and a final field examination.
The prelicense field course includes five field inspections and a final field examination.
Pre-license field course containing 5 field inspections and a final field examinationOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / Exam
Pass a written licensing examination.
Pass a written licensing examination.
Exam: Must pass a written licensing examOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / Insurance
At least $100,000 general liability coverage.
At least $100,000 general liability coverage.
I maintain general liability insurance in the amount of at least $100,000Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Renewal
The 2026 Home Inspector Renewal deadline is November 30, 2026.
The 2026 Home Inspector Renewal deadline is November 30, 2026. Applies to: Illinois 2026 home inspector renewal cycle
The 2026 Home Inspector Renewal deadline is November 30, 2026.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Continuing education hours
12 hours
12
12 hours of CE is requiredOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Continuing education topics
12 hours of CE is required, of which 8 hours must be approved as Mandatory, and a Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
For the 2026 renewal, licensees first licensed on or before August 31, 2026 need 12 CE hours, including 8 mandatory hours, and sexual harassment prevention training. The training may count as elective hours if obtained through an approved provider.
12 hours of CE is required, of which 8 hours must be approved as Mandatory, and a Sexual Harassment Prevention TrainingOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Reciprocity
Licensure by endorsement is available; submit certification of good standing documenting licensure, education, examinations and discipline.
Licensure by endorsement is available; submit certification of good standing documenting licensure, education, examinations and discipline.
Attach a certification of good standing from the state(s) in which you hold a license as a home inspector.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidance
Licensees first licensed on or after September 1, 2026 need no CE for the 2026 renewal cycle.
Licensees first licensed on or after September 1, 2026 need no CE for the 2026 renewal cycle.
If the home inspector was first licensed on or after September 1, 2026: • No CE is required.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidance
Renew using the License Renewals link on https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/homeinspect.html
Renew using the License Renewals link on https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/homeinspect.html
License RenewalsOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Not yet verified: license fee — see the official agency.
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Following: How to Get a Home inspector License in Illinois (2026)
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What should I explore next?
Home inspector in neighboring states
Neighboring states use Census adjacency data, including water and point boundaries.
Related licenses in Illinois
Last verified Oct 25, 2026.
Official sources (4)
- https://idfpr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idfpr/forms/dre/home-inspector-license-application-endorsement.pdf
- https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/homeinspect.html
- https://idfpr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idfpr/forms/dre/dre-home-inspector-license-application-process-chart.pdf
- https://idfpr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idfpr/forms/dre/2026cefactsheet-homeinspector.pdf
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.