How to become a home inspector in New Jersey
To become a home inspector in New Jersey, you finish a 180-hour approved course with 40 hours of field inspections, or 250 paid inspections under supervision, then pass the NHIE. You also need $500,000 of errors and omissions insurance, a $125 application fee, and a $500 license fee.
NHIE requiredChecked on October 4, 2026
New Jersey at a glance
| Item | New Jersey |
|---|---|
| Exam | The NHIE. No state section. |
| Education | A 180-hour approved course with at least 40 hours of unpaid field inspections |
| Or experience | 250 paid inspections under direct supervision of a New Jersey inspector with 500 inspections and 3 years |
| Insurance | Errors and omissions of at least $500,000 per occurrence |
| Other | A high school diploma or equivalent and good moral character |
| Fees | $125 to apply, then $500 for the license, or $250 if it is issued in the second year of the renewal cycle |
| Renewal | $500 every 2 years, with 40 continuing education units |
The licensing body is the New Jersey Home Inspection Advisory Committee. Fees and rules change, so check them with the state before you pay for anything.
Steps to a New Jersey license
- Finish the 180-hour course, or the 250 supervised inspections.
- Pass the NHIE.
- Get the $500,000 errors and omissions policy.
- Send the application and the $125 fee. On the experience route, include the list of your 250 inspections.
- Pay the license fee.
Who runs it
The Home Inspection Advisory Committee sits under the State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, in the Division of Consumer Affairs. The committee audits experience applications at random, and you carry its ID card on every inspection.
More on the exam
Questions people ask
Does New Jersey use the NHIE?
Yes. New Jersey's rule requires the National Home Inspector Examination.
Can I get a New Jersey license without the 180-hour course?
Yes, by doing 250 paid inspections under the direct supervision of a New Jersey inspector who has done at least 500 and has three years of experience.
What insurance does a New Jersey home inspector need?
Errors and omissions insurance of at least $500,000 per occurrence, with proof filed with the committee.
See where you stand
Take a free 200 question practice exam, weighted like the NHIE, with your score by task.
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