How long it takes and what it costs to become a home inspector
In the states with a set hour count, the pre-license course runs from 60 to 194 hours, and many states add field work on top. The National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE) costs $225 in most states, and state license fees run from $80 to $720.
Checked on October 4, 2026
Training hours by state
This table lists the training and field work each state asks for, from the 12 licensing states this site has checked rule by rule. Each state name links to its full page.
| State | Training | Field work |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 84 hours of classroom training or an equivalent course from an approved school | 30 parallel inspections with a certified inspector, logged |
| Florida | At least 120 hours covering structure, electrical, HVAC, roof covering, plumbing, interior, exterior, and site conditions | None required by the statute or rule |
| Illinois | A 60-hour pre-license course | A pre-license field course with 5 field inspection events and a final field exam |
| Kentucky | A 64-hour approved pre-licensing course, including 16 hours of field training with no more than 8 in a lab | 3 unpaid inspections under a Kentucky inspector, on top of the field hours |
| New Jersey | A 180-hour approved course with at least 40 hours of unpaid field inspections | Part of the training rule |
| Ohio | 80 hours, in a classroom or online | 10 parallel inspections with an Ohio inspector, or 40 hours of field work plus a peer review session |
| Oregon | 20 points, from classes, ride-alongs, or experience | Part of the training rule |
| South Carolina | One approved course of at least 120 hours, or 1 year of supervised home inspection work within the last 5 years | Part of the training rule |
| Tennessee | 90 hours approved by the commissioner | None required by the rule |
| Texas | 134 hours plus 175 inspections under indirect supervision, or 194 hours including a 40-hour Texas Practicum | Part of the training rule |
| Virginia | 15 points, with at least 5 from education and 5 from experience | Part of the training rule |
| Washington | A 120-hour Fundamentals of Home Inspection course approved by the board | 40 hours of field training with at least 5 complete inspections and written reports |
The states with no license ask for none of this. For the rules in all 50 states, see the home inspector license requirements by state.
How the hours turn into weeks
No state sets a calendar time. The hours are the floor, and the weeks depend on how the course runs. A 120-hour course taken full time at 40 hours a week is 3 weeks of class. Taken on nights and weekends, it takes much longer.
Then come the parts you don't fully control. Ride-alongs depend on an inspector who will take you. The exam needs a booked seat, and a failed attempt means a 30-day wait before the next one. The state also needs time to review your application.
What it costs
The exam fee and the state's fees are fixed and published. The NHIE costs $225 per attempt in most states. A few states charge their own amount. Texas lists $210 for the national part and $58 for its state part. Washington charges $300 for both of its parts, and Illinois $125.
This table lists what each state charges to apply and license:
| State | State fees |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $245 |
| Florida | $230: a $125 application fee, a $100 license fee, and a $5 unlicensed activity fee |
| Illinois | $250 |
| Kentucky | $250 |
| New Jersey | $125 to apply, then $500 for the license, or $250 if it is issued in the second year of the renewal cycle |
| Ohio | $235 |
| Oregon | $150 for two years |
| South Carolina | $80 |
| Tennessee | $300: a $100 application fee and a $200 license fee |
| Texas | $120 professional, $100 real estate inspector, $60 apprentice, plus a $4 online fee |
| Virginia | $94.50, which includes a technology fee |
| Washington | $720 |
Three costs aren't in either table, because they vary too much to print one number. Schools set their own course prices. Insurance premiums depend on the insurer and the coverage your state asks for. And if you start your own business, there are tools, a report program, and the business setup itself.
The cost of a retake
A failed exam adds a second exam fee and a 30-day wait. For how the exam is built and scored, see the National Home Inspector Exam guide. For the whole process in order, see how to become a home inspector.
Questions people ask
How long is home inspector school?
As long as your state's hour count. In the 12 licensing states checked here, it runs from a 60-hour course in Illinois to 194 hours on one Texas path. Virginia and Oregon count points instead of hours.
Can I become a home inspector in a month?
In a state with no license, there is no state step to wait on. In a licensing state, the course hours come first, then the field work, an exam seat, and the state's review of your application. No state sets a shortest time.
Try the question style
Answer 20 practice questions, one from every task on the outline. No email needed.
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About the exam