Can you transfer a home inspector license to another state?

Each state writes its own home inspector rules. 37 states license or register home inspectors, and 13 have no state license at all. A license from one state is good in that state only. Reciprocity, called endorsement in some states, is a shorter path for someone already licensed elsewhere.

The exam is a different story. In 33 states the NHIE counts toward the license, so the exam you passed in one of them is the same exam the others use. EBPHI, the board that writes the NHIE, still says a pass does not let you work anywhere right away. Each state adds its own steps. See EBPHI's FAQ.

So moving states means applying again. What changes from state to state is how much of your old license counts.

This table lists 15 states whose law, rule, or board page was read for this guide on October 29, 2026. It is not every state. For the rest, see the home inspector license requirements by state and ask the new state's board.

Two phrases in these rules need a closer look. "Substantially equivalent" or "at least equal" means the board compares your state's rules to its own, one application at a time. If your state asked for fewer hours or a different exam, the board can decide the rules are not equal.

Here is how one move works on paper. Maryland's reciprocal license application accepts licensees from 28 states, and Illinois is one of them. Every applicant has to show NHIE results, whatever exam the old state used.

The form says an application missing any of these items is denied:

• Your NHIE exam results
• A letter of good standing from your state, dated within the last 30 days
• A copy of your valid license

You mail the form with a $50 review fee. If it is approved, the Commission sends an invoice for the $325 two-year license. You pay it and send proof of at least $150,000 in general liability insurance. Those are the form's figures as of October 2026. For the rest of Maryland's rules, see Maryland home inspector license requirements.

Nobody sends it for you. EBPHI says the score is not sent to any licensing agency, and following through with the state is your job. Its test policies tell you to ask the board how it wants the passing report submitted.

At a test center you get one original score report. It carries an identification number and your photo.

If you lost it, ask for a duplicate. PSI's NHIE candidate bulletin says to email scorereport@psionline.com or call (855) 746-8173. If a different company gave your exam, ask that company. EBPHI handles requests for exams taken before 2010, since test centers can't reprint those.

EBPHI's pages describe no score transfer service and no fee for one. For what the report itself shows, see the NHIE passing score.

EBPHI's FAQ and test policies give no expiration date for a passing score. The limits come from states, and two of the 15 read for this guide set one:

• Arizona: a standard applicant must have passed the exam within 2 years before applying, under A.R.S. 32-122.02.
• South Carolina: the NHIE route takes a pass from the last 3 years, and you still pass the state's Business Management and Law exam. See the South Carolina license instructions.

Don't mix this up with PSI's 1-year rule. That one says you lose an unused exam fee if you don't test within a year. It says nothing about how long a pass counts.

Some states have a general law for licensed people who move in. Arizona's A.R.S. 32-4302 covers licenses issued under title 32, and Arizona certifies home inspectors under that title. A new resident licensed elsewhere for at least 1 year, who passed any exam that state required, can qualify.

Virginia's Universal License Recognition lists home inspectors by name. It asks for 1 year licensed, a passed exam, and a clean discipline record.

Military families have a federal law too. Under 50 U.S.C. 4025a, part of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, a license in good standing counts as valid in the new state after a move on military orders. It covers the servicemember and the spouse. You apply to the new state's board with the orders, a marriage certificate for a spouse, and a notarized affidavit.

The law was added in January 2023 and rewritten in December 2024. It doesn't list professions. It reaches any license a person must hold to work in a field. A board that can't act within 30 days can issue a temporary license. Tennessee's rule also lets the state give a military spouse a permit of up to 6 months to finish missing education or exams. For GI Bill help with the exam fee, see becoming a home inspector after the military.