How to Get a Home inspector License in North Carolina (2026)

North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure Board

North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure Board

NORTH CAROLINA HOME INSPECTOR LICENSURE BOARD

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://www.ncosfm.gov/administrative/home-inspector-licensure-act-statutes-and-rules-1052026-rev/open

HOME INSPECTOR LICENSURE ACT AND BOARD RULES

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Education pathway: high school diploma or equivalent and a board-approved program completed within three years before application; equivalent education/experience and specified licensed-professional paths also exist.

Education pathway: high school diploma or equivalent and a board-approved program completed within three years before application; equivalent education/experience and specified licensed-professional paths also exist.

Have a high school diploma or its equivalent and satisfactorily complete an education program approved by the Board. The program must be completed within three years of the date the applicant submits an application for licensure under this section. b. Have education and experience the Board considers to be equivalent to that required by sub-subdivision a. of this subdivision. c. Be licensed for at least six months as a general contractor under Article 1 of Chapter 87 of the General Statutes, as an architect under Chapter 83A of the General Statutes, or as a professional engineer under Chapter 89C of the General Statutes.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Prelicensing program: at least 200 hours, comprising 120 classroom hours and 80 field hours with at least 10 site visits.

Prelicensing program: at least 200 hours, comprising 120 classroom hours and 80 field hours with at least 10 site visits.

The home inspection prelicensing education program shall consist of a minimum total of 200 hours consisting of classroom and field training as follows: (1) Academic education consisting of at least 120 hours classroom instruction; and (2) Training consisting of at least 80 hours of field instruction with at least 10 site visits.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Pass the board's licensing examination.

Pass the board's licensing examination.

Pass a licensing examination prescribed by the Board.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

General liability insurance of $250,000; additionally meet the statutory net-assets or bond requirement, or maintain $250,000 errors and omissions insurance.

General liability insurance of $250,000; additionally meet the statutory net-assets or bond requirement, or maintain $250,000 errors and omissions insurance.

General liability insurance in the amount of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000), which insurance may be individual coverage or coverage under an employer policy, with coverage parameters established by the Board. (2) One of the following: a. Minimum net assets in an amount determined by the Board, which amount may not be less than five thousand dollars ($5,000) nor more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000). b. A bond in an amount determined by the Board, which amount may not be less than five thousand dollars ($5,000) nor more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000). c. Errors and omissions insurance in the amount of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000)

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

$35

35

Application for Home Inspector License $ 35.00

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

$80

80

Home Inspector Examination $ 80.00

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

$160

160

Issuance or Renewal of Home Inspector License $160.00

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

$160

160

Issuance or Renewal of Home Inspector License $160.00

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

A license expires on September 30 of each year.

A license expires on September 30 of each year. Applies to: North Carolina home inspector licenses

A license expires on September 30 of each year.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

12 hours

12

the licensee shall complete 12 credit hours during the license renewal period, except as described in Paragraph (b) of this Rule.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

The standard requirement is 12 hours. Inspectors who have not completed the prelicensing program or equivalent need 16 hours annually for their first three years. New licensees on or after June 1 are exempt for the initial period.

The standard requirement is 12 hours. Inspectors who have not completed the prelicensing program or equivalent need 16 hours annually for their first three years. New licensees on or after June 1 are exempt for the initial period.

In order to renew an active home inspector license, the licensee shall complete 12 credit hours during the license renewal period, except as described in Paragraph (b) of this Rule. (b) In order to renew an active home inspector license, home inspectors licensed pursuant to G.S. 143-151.51(a)(5), who have not completed the pre-licensing education program or its equivalent pursuant to Rule .1004(c) of this Chapter, shall complete 16 hours of continuing education per year for the first three years of licensure A licensee who is newly licensed on or after June 1 is exempt from this Section for the initial license period.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

A license from a state with similar laws and rules is accepted as evidence of experience; the board's written examination and other licensing requirements still apply.

A license from a state with similar laws and rules is accepted as evidence of experience; the board's written examination and other licensing requirements still apply.

If an applicant is licensed as a home inspector in another state that has laws and rules that are similar to G.S. 143, Article 9F and to the rules of the Board, the Board shall accept that license as evidence of experience. However, the applicant shall satisfactorily complete the Board's written examination and other licensing requirements before the Board shall issue the applicant a license.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

An individual must be licensed to inspect homes for compensation or claim to be a licensed home inspector.

An individual must be licensed to inspect homes for compensation or claim to be a licensed home inspector.

To perform a home inspection for compensation or to claim to be a licensed home inspector, an individual must be licensed by the Board.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

The initial license runs from issuance until the following September 30.

The initial license runs from issuance until the following September 30.

The license is valid from the date of issuance until the following September 30.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

A new licensee on or after June 1 is exempt from CE for the initial license period.

A new licensee on or after June 1 is exempt from CE for the initial license period.

A licensee who is newly licensed on or after June 1 is exempt from this Section for the initial license period.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://www.ncosfm.gov/licensing-cert/home-inspector-licensure-board-hilb/hilb-apply-license

HILB - Apply for License

Last verified Oct 25, 2026