How to become a home inspector in South Carolina
To become a home inspector in South Carolina, you finish one 120-hour approved course or a year of supervised experience, and pass two exams. The NHIE can stand in for the state technical exam, but you still take South Carolina's Business Management and Law exam.
NHIE acceptedChecked on October 4, 2026
South Carolina at a glance
| Item | South Carolina |
|---|---|
| Technical exam | The NHIE, if you passed it within the last 3 years, in place of the state technical exam |
| State exam | Business Management and Law, through PSI: 50 questions, 34 right to pass. $78. |
| Education or experience | One approved course of at least 120 hours, or 1 year of supervised home inspection work within the last 5 years |
| Other | A notarized Verification of Lawful Presence form and a copy of your ID |
| Application fee | $80 |
| Renewal | $160 |
The licensing body is the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission. Fees and rules change, so check them with the state before you pay for anything.
Steps to a South Carolina license
- Pass the NHIE, and finish the 120-hour course or the year of supervised experience.
- Apply online, pay the $80 fee, and upload your ID, lawful presence form, NHIE score report, and course or experience records.
- Wait for the commission's Examination Eligibility Letter.
- Schedule and pay PSI for the Business Management and Law exam.
- Pass it and send your score to the commission, which then issues the license.
Details that trip people up
The 120 hours have to be one approved course. Several shorter courses that add up to 120 don't count. A course certificate stays valid for three years.
PSI allows three attempts in 12 months. After that, you wait 12 months to try again.
More on the exam
Questions people ask
Does South Carolina accept the NHIE?
Yes. A passing NHIE score from the last three years replaces the state technical exam. You still take the state Business Management and Law exam.
Can I add up shorter courses to reach 120 hours in South Carolina?
No. The commission says the 120 hours have to come from one approved course.
How much is the South Carolina home inspector exam?
PSI charges $78 for one portion, which is what an NHIE candidate takes, and $94 for both.
See where you stand
Take a free 200 question practice exam, weighted like the NHIE, with your score by task.
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