How to Become a Home Inspector in

Complete an 80-Hour Pre-Licensing Course

Applicants must take a state-approved 80-hour home inspection training course. This program is designed to prepare candidates for the National Home Inspector Exam and cover essential industry topics.

Fulfill Field Training Requirements

Candidates must meet one of the following requirements:

• Complete 40 hours of supervised curriculum experience and undergo a peer review, or
• Conduct 10 parallel inspections under the supervision of a certified home inspector.

Pass the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE)

The NHIE evaluates candidates on their knowledge of home inspection practices, covering topics such as Property and Building Inspection, Analysis of Findings, and Professional Responsibilities. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions, with 4 hours allotted for completion. A scaled score of 500 or higher is required to pass. Each attempt costs approximately $225.

Note: Veterans may qualify for reimbursement of the NHIE exam fee under the GI Bill. To utilize this benefit, submit the VBA-22-0803-ARE form along with your exam receipt to the VA.

Undergo a Background Check

Applicants must complete a background check, including fingerprinting, through the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI&I). Arrange this through a Webcheck® user and present a government-issued photo ID.

Obtain Insurance

Home inspectors in Ohio must carry:

1. $100,000 in liability insurance per occurrence
2. $300,000 aggregate coverage

Submit Your Application

Complete the REPL-19-0003 Home Inspector License Application, have it notarized, and include:

1. Supervisor’s signature (if applicable)
2. Certificates of education and field training completion
3. $250 application fee