How to become a home inspector in Florida
To become a home inspector in Florida, you finish a 120-hour course, pass one of four approved exams, such as the NHIE, and submit fingerprints. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation charges $230 to apply, and an active license needs $300,000 of general liability insurance.
NHIE acceptedChecked on October 4, 2026
Florida at a glance
| Item | Florida |
|---|---|
| Exam | One of four approved exams: the NHIE, FABI, InterNACHI's Florida exam, or ACI's CI-HPI. Each vendor sets its own fee. |
| Education | At least 120 hours covering structure, electrical, HVAC, roof covering, plumbing, interior, exterior, and site conditions |
| Field work | None required by the statute or rule |
| Insurance | Commercial general liability of at least $300,000 |
| Other | Good moral character and electronic fingerprints |
| Fees | $230: a $125 application fee, a $100 license fee, and a $5 unlicensed activity fee |
| Renewal | $105 every 2 years, by July 31 of even years, with 14 hours of continuing education |
The licensing body is the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Fees and rules change, so check them with the state before you pay for anything.
Steps to a Florida license
- Finish a 120-hour course approved by the department.
- Pass one of the four approved exams.
- Submit electronic fingerprints. You pay the processing cost.
- Get $300,000 of commercial general liability insurance. Without it, the department issues only an inactive license.
- Send the application with the $230 fee.
Continuing education and recent bills
Of the 14 hours due each renewal, at least 2 have to be in hurricane mitigation.
A 2026 bill, Senate Bill 360, would have required errors and omissions insurance with a $500,000 minimum. It died in committee on March 13, 2026, along with its House companion, so the rules on this page still apply.
More on the exam
Questions people ask
Does Florida accept the NHIE?
Yes. The NHIE is one of four exams the department approves for a home inspector license.
Do Florida home inspectors need insurance?
Yes. Florida law requires commercial general liability insurance of at least $300,000 for an active license.
How much does a Florida home inspector license cost?
The department charges $230 to apply and $105 to renew every two years. The course, exam, and fingerprints are separate costs.
See where you stand
Take a free 200 question practice exam, weighted like the NHIE, with your score by task.
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