Home inspector
rankings by state.
Use the figures to narrow your reading, then check the state’s license level, pathway and qualifications. A low issuance fee does not establish the cheapest overall route to licensure.
Lowest license fee
Ranked only by the recorded license issuance fee. Application, exam, training and other costs are not included. This is not a ranking of total cost to qualify.
11 of 51 jurisdictions ranked. Equal values share a rank; the next rank skips tied places. Calculations use unrounded values. Source scope may differ between states.
| 1 | West Virginia | $125.00Source and scopeCertification fee -- $125.00 fee per certification.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | North Carolina | $160.00Source and scopeIssuance or Renewal of Home Inspector License $160.00Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $200.00 |
| 4 | Ohio | $235.00Source and scopeA two hundred thirty-five dollar fee for initial licensure as a home inspector.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 5 | Alaska | $250.00 |
| 5 | Arkansas | $250.00Source and scopeInitial registration fee, two hundred fifty dollars ($250);Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 5 | Oklahoma | $250.00Source and scope$280.00 Total ($250 Initial License Fee + $30 application fee)Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 8 | Maryland | $325.00 |
| 8 | Mississippi | $325.00 |
| 10 | Washington | $720.00Source and scopeFirst home inspector license (includes application and initial license) $720Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 11 | New Mexico | $1,000.00 |
40 jurisdictions not ranked for this measure
Not verified yet, stale, or not a single comparable number. A missing rank does not mean no requirement. Use each state page’s official source to check.
- Alabama
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Fewest required hours
Ranked only where the required-hours field is a single verified number. Conditional text and alternative pathways are excluded. Hours are not elapsed time to licensure.
14 of 51 jurisdictions ranked. Equal values share a rank; the next rank skips tied places. Calculations use unrounded values. Source scope may differ between states.
| 1 | Montana | 40 hoursSource and scopeMust have completed 40 hours of comprehensive home inspection instruction approved by the department.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota | 40 hoursSource and scopeApplicants interested in becoming a Registered Home Inspector must complete a minimum 40 hour pre-licensing course.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | Wisconsin | 40 hoursSource and scopeA minimum of 40 hours of pre-registration instruction is required for Wisconsin Home Inspector registration.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 4 | Mississippi | 60 hoursSource and scopecompleted at least sixty hours (60) in approved course of studyOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 5 | Kentucky | 64 hours |
| 6 | Maryland | 72 hoursSource and scope72 hours of an on-site classroom-based training course approved by the CommissionOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | 80 hoursSource and scopeCandidates shall successfully complete 80 hours of board approved pre-licensing educationOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 7 | West Virginia | 80 hoursSource and scopeShall present proof of satisfactory completion of at least 80 hours of instructionOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 9 | Arizona | 84 hoursSource and scopeEvidence of successful completion of 84 hours of classroom training or an equivalent courseOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 10 | Tennessee | 90 hoursSource and scopeSuccessful completion of ninety (90) hours of commissioner-approved training on home inspections and the preparation of home inspection reports.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 11 | Florida | 120 hoursSource and scopecompletes a course of study of at least 120 hoursOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 11 | Louisiana | 120 hoursSource and scopesatisfactorily completed at least one hundred twenty hours of instruction.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 11 | Washington | 120 hoursSource and scopeYou must take a Washington State Home Inspectors Board-approved, 120-hour Fundamentals of Home Inspection course.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 14 | Delaware | 140 hoursSource and scopeTraining must total 140 hours and be approved by ASHI or InterNACHI.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
37 jurisdictions not ranked for this measure
Not verified yet, stale, or not a single comparable number. A missing rank does not mean no requirement. Use each state page’s official source to check.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Wyoming
Fastest time to get licensed
Requires a verified total time-to-license figure in days for the cited pathway. Training hours, experience requirements and agency processing estimates cannot establish that total.
Not verified yet
The current records do not establish total time to get licensed. No fastest state is named.
Read the verified state requirements and official sources51 jurisdictions not ranked for this measure
Not verified yet, stale, or not a single comparable number. A missing rank does not mean no requirement. Use each state page’s official source to check.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Renewal cost per year
Calculated as the verified renewal fee divided by its verified renewal period in years. This is an annualized fee, not an annual bill; CE and other costs are not included. An initial fee or initial license term is never substituted.
21 of 51 jurisdictions ranked. Equal values share a rank; the next rank skips tied places. Calculations use unrounded values. Source scope may differ between states.
| 1 | Indiana | $25.00 / year$50.00 ÷ 2 yearsRenewal fee sourceFor home inspector license renewal, the fee is fifty dollars ($50.00) if renewal is done before expiration.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 Renewal period sourceContinuing education hours shall be obtained within the biennial renewal periodOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Wisconsin | $25.50 / year$51.00 ÷ 2 yearsRenewal fee source106 Home Inspector Individual $51 $51 12/14/EvenOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 Renewal period sourceThe two-year reporting period runs from: December 15 of an even-numbered year through December 14 of the next even-numbered yearOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 3 | Virginia | $29.75 / year$59.50 ÷ 2 yearsRenewal period sourceLicenses issued under this chapter will expire two years from the last day of the month in which they were issued.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 4 | Montana | $40.00 / year$80.00 ÷ 2 yearsRenewal period sourceAll individual home inspector licenses must be renewed every two years.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 5 | New York | $50.00 / year$100.00 ÷ 2 yearsRenewal period sourceRenewal Fee: The renewal fee is $100 for a two year term.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 5 | South Dakota | $50.00 / year$100.00 ÷ 2 yearsRenewal fee sourceThe renewal application and fee of $100.00 must be received by the South Dakota Real Estate Commission by 5:00 p.m. on November 30 of the year the license/registration expires.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 Renewal period sourceA home inspector license/registration must be renewed every two years.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 7 | Nebraska | $75.00 / year$150.00 ÷ 2 yearsRenewal period sourceA registration for a home inspector is valid for two years.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 7 | Oregon | $75.00 / year$150.00 ÷ 2 yearsRenewal fee sourceHome Inspector Renewal (every two years): $150Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 Renewal period sourceHome Inspector Renewal (every two years): $150Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 9 | South Carolina | $80.00 / year$160.00 ÷ 2 yearsRenewal period sourceThe Residential Home Inspectors License is renewable every two (2) years, before June 30, of each even year (2020, 2022, 2024, etc).Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $100.00 / year$200.00 ÷ 2 yearsRenewal fee sourceRenewal license fee is $200.00 for 2 years.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 Renewal period sourceRenewal license fee is $200.00 for 2 years.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 10 | Tennessee | $100.00 / year$200.00 ÷ 2 yearsRenewal period sourceBiennial Renewal for Active License $200Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 10 | West Virginia | $100.00 / year$100.00 ÷ 1 yearsRenewal fee sourceRenewal fee -- $100.00 fee per certification annually.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 Renewal period sourceRenewal fee -- $100.00 fee per certification annually.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 13 | New Hampshire | $110.00 / year$220.00 ÷ 2 yearsRenewal fee sourceHome inspector license application processing and licensing: Initial, renewal, or reinstatement after expiration of license 2 years $220Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 Renewal period sourceLicensees in good standing may renew their licenses every 2 years in accordance with RSA 310:8.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 14 | Connecticut | $125.00 / year$250.00 ÷ 2 yearsRenewal fee sourceHome Inspector License Renewal Fee: $250.00.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 Renewal period sourceAll licenses issued under the provisions of this section shall expire bienniallyOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 15 | Vermont | $137.50 / year$275.00 ÷ 2 yearsRenewal fee source143 -Property Inspectors $275 $115 June 30th of Odd YearsOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 Renewal period sourceA license shall be renewed every two years on a schedule determined by the Director upon application and payment of the required fee.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 16 | Maryland | $162.50 / year$325.00 ÷ 2 yearsRenewal period sourceAll renewals are issued on a two year cycle when renewed before their expiration date.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 17 | Kentucky | $200.00 / year$400.00 ÷ 2 yearsRenewal fee sourcea $200 fee, per licensure year. ($400 if for 2 years).Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 Renewal period sourcea $200 fee, per licensure year. ($400 if for 2 years).Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 18 | Washington | $207.50 / year$415.00 ÷ 2 yearsRenewal period sourceThe licensee’s second renewal period will equal the full 2-year term.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 19 | Arkansas | $250.00 / year$250.00 ÷ 1 yearsRenewal fee sourceRegistration renewal fee, two hundred fifty dollars ($250);Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 Renewal period sourceRenewal certificates of registration are issued on a calendar year basis extending from January 1 through December 31.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 20 | Alabama | $300.00 / year$300.00 ÷ 1 yearsRenewal fee sourceThe filing fee for this application for license as home inspector is $300.00Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 Renewal period sourcelicenses are issued per calendar year.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 21 | New Mexico | $333.33 / year$1,000.00 ÷ 3 yearsRenewal period sourceOnce renewed, all licenses shall be for a duration of three years.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
30 jurisdictions not ranked for this measure
Not verified yet, stale, or not a single comparable number. A missing rank does not mean no requirement. Use each state page’s official source to check.
Read before you choose a route
Last verified Oct 25, 2026.
Official sources (52)
Showing 24 source links. Individual facts keep their citations on the linked data pages. Download all facts and official sources.
- https://firemarshal.wv.gov/media/39376/download?inline=
- https://www.ncosfm.gov/administrative/home-inspector-licensure-act-statutes-and-rules-1052026-rev/open
- https://crb.ri.gov/licenses/home-inspectorassociate-home-inspector-license/apply
- https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-1301:17-1-03
- https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/Portals/5/pub/hin4001.pdf
- https://codeofarrules.arkansas.gov/Rules/Rule?chapterID=234&levelType=section&partID=1080§ionID=41703&subChapterID=291&subPartID=6395&titleID=17
- https://www.oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/cib/documents/your-industry/home-inspector/home_inspector_license_application.pdf
- https://www.labor.maryland.gov/license/reahi/reahiapplyhi.shtml
- https://www.mhid.ms.gov/sites/mhid/files/2026-04/MHID%20Instructions.pdf
- https://dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/home-inspectors/fees-home-inspectors
- https://www.rld.nm.gov/boards-and-commissions/individual-boards-and-commissions/home-inspectors/licensing-registration-and-renewal/
- https://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/_docs/hip/HI-checklist.pdf
- https://dlr.sd.gov/realestate/home_inspector_how_to_become.aspx
- https://dsps.wi.gov/a-z-professions-list/home-inspector/licensure-by-examination/
- https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/titles/831/002/040/
- https://gc.nh.gov/rules/state_agencies/home100-700.html
- https://apps.azsos.gov/public_services/Title_04/4-30.pdf
- https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/homeinsp/license/get/home-inspector.html
- https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/468.8313
- https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/LawPrint.aspx?d=93317
- https://dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/home-inspectors/get-your-license-home-inspectors
- https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/homeinspector/examination/
- https://www.in.gov/pla/professions/home-inspectors-home/home-inspectors-licensing-information/
- https://dsps.wi.gov/credentialing/credential-fees-and-renewal-dates
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.