Everything You Need to Know About Home Inspection License Renewal

You trained hard, passed your exams, applied for your license, and now you’re ready to start inspecting homes. You’re a licensed home inspector!

But wait, you’ve got some maintenance to do.

Earning your home inspection license isn’t a “one and done” effort. Eventually, you’ll need to renew it! And, depending on your state, you might need to complete required Continuing Education (CE).

If you’re wondering how to renew your home inspection license in your state, keep reading. Live and work in a state that doesn’t require a home inspection license? Keep reading anyway! There are nuggets in this blog for you, too.

Home Inspection License Renewal in License States

As of 2024, there are 35 states that require you to earn a home inspector license — and renew it periodically — to work in the trade. Here’s a quick rundown of those states.

How License Renewal Works in License States

Most home inspection license states require inspectors to renew their licenses every two years. Some have annual renewal cycles, and a few require renewals every three years.

License expiration dates and renewal deadlines in these states are scattered throughout the year. Some inspectors must renew during their birth month, some do it during their original license issuance month, some during even years, and some during odd years.

For example:

• Arkansas home inspectors must renew their licenses annually by December 31st.
• Illinois home inspectors must renew their licenses every two years by November 30th.
• Ohio home inspectors must renew their licenses every three years by the anniversary date of their licensure.

In short, it depends on your state! So, be sure to stay informed.

Rest assured, most states send license renewal applications and renewal fee notices months ahead of time. That way, you’ll always be informed about when and how you can renew. Good thing, too. You don’t want to be surprised by a license lapse.

Is CE Required to Renew Your Home Inspection License?

In some states, yes, CE is required to renew your license. Plus, just like license renewal requirements, the CE course requirements depend on your state.

If you’re a Florida home inspector for example, you’re required to complete 14 hours of CE before renewing your license.

If you’re a Texas home inspector, you’d need to complete 32 hours of CE before renewing your license.

Be sure to learn your state’s home inspection CE requirements, so you can stay on top of your education.

Also important to note: Whether or not you live in a state that requires home inspection CE, working on CE is always a good idea for your career. More on this in the next section.

What To Do in Non-License States

Do you live in one of the 15 states (as of 2024) that doesn’t require a home inspector license or Continuing Education courses to keep your license current?

You should still work on CE!

You likely completed home inspector training to learn how to be a home inspector — even if you weren’t required to earn a license in your state. Similarly, completing CE to keep your skills fresh is something you want to do for yourself, your clients, and your business.

It’s also something you’ll be required to do if you join a national or state home inspection association.

CE Requirements For Home Inspection Association Memberships

Thousands of home inspectors across the country are members of home inspection associations. Joining one is a great way to network within the industry, stay on top of trends and core knowledge, and get referrals for new business.

Typically, there are Continuing Education requirements to maintain membership in one of these associations.

Renewing National & International Home Inspection Association Memberships

The two largest national home inspection associations are the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI®).

Renewing an ASHI Membership

ASHI memberships are $449 annually and expire each year on December 31st.

CE Requirements For ASHI Membership

• First-year ASHI members must complete ASHI’s Standard of Practice and Code of Ethics CE modules
• Following your first year of membership, ASHI members must complete at least 20 hours of CE each year.

Renewing an InterNACHI® Membership

InterNACHI® memberships are $499 annually and expire each year on the anniversary of your membership.

CE Requirements For InterNACHI® Membership

• First-year InterNACHI® members are not required to complete CE during the initial year they join.
• Following your first year of membership, InterNACHI® members must complete at least 24 hours of CE each year.

Renewing State Home Inspection Association Memberships

In certain states, you might choose to join a state home inspection association. This gives you access to state-specific networking, training, and business referral benefits.

For example:

• Florida home inspectors can join the Florida Association of Building Inspectors (FABI).
• New York home inspectors may join the New York State Association of Home Inspectors (NYSAHI).
• Texas home inspectors can join the Texas Professional Real Estate Inspectors Association (TPREIA).
• California home inspectors may join the California Real Estate Inspection Association (CREIA).

Each state association has its own membership requirements for dues, renewals, and CE coursework. If you become a member of your state home inspection association, be sure to learn the membership guidelines, so you can stay on top of the requirements.

Renew Your License With Home Inspection CE & Professional Development by AHIT

At AHIT, you’ll learn how to become an expert home inspector, keep your skills fresh, and maintain your license.

Browse our pain-free CE, professional development, and home inspector certifications. We’ll help you meet your state’s licensing board requirements, inspection association requirements, maintain your skills, and ensure your success for years to come.