Can Home Inspectors be Licensed in More Than One State?
Home inspectors can be licensed to perform home inspections in more than one state. But if you plan to offer services in another state, you should check the new state’s license requirements—and ensure you meet them—before opening for business.
Read on to learn why some home inspectors offer services in multiple states, how to find each state’s license requirements, and which states have reciprocity for home inspectors.
Table of Contents
- Why Hold More Than One State-Issued Home Inspection License?
- Check Home Inspector License Requirements Before Inspecting in Another State
- States That Require Home Inspectors to Be Licensed
- States That Don’t Require Home Inspectors to Be Licensed
- States That Have Reciprocity for Home Inspectors
- States That Don’t Have Reciprocity for Home Inspectors
Why Hold More Than One State-Issued Home Inspection License?
There are a few reasons why you might choose to be licensed to perform home inspections in multiple states. Here are the most common ones.
You Live Close to a State Border
If you live close to a state border, getting licensed to perform home inspections in your neighboring state opens a new market for your business. You can add new clients, expand your referral network, and generate more revenue.
You’ve Established Residency in Two (or More) States
You may have established residency in more than one state (for example, you may have a second home or a vacation home in another state). If this is the case, becoming a licensed home inspector in the states where you have residency means you can run your business seamlessly (and legally) across state lines. This could also create opportunities to establish additional offices in other states and hire employees to help expand your business and profit.
You’re Relocating Now or in the Future
If you’re relocating now or planning to in the future, it’s a good idea to get licensed in your new state (if licensing is required in the new state) ahead of your move. This will make for a smoother transition of your business state to state.
Check Home Inspector License Requirements Before Inspecting in Another State
Before you offer your services to a client in another state, you should check the home inspection license requirements for that state.
Some states require home inspectors to be licensed prior to offering home inspection services. Others may not require a license but do require training. And still, other states don’t have any licensing or education requirements.
It can be confusing. That’s why your first step before inspecting a home in a new state is to make sure you meet the legal requirements to be a home inspector in that state.
Quickly find out all state license requirements for home inspectors.
If the New State Requires Licenses for Home Inspectors
If you find that a new state requires you to have a license to inspect homes, you should first check if the state has reciprocity for home inspectors.
Reciprocity just means that a licensed home inspector in one state can apply for an equivalent home inspector license in another state. The process typically involves completing an application for a license in the new state; paying an application fee; submitting to a background check; and providing proof of home inspector training, passing exam scores, and experience hours. Some states may also require you to take and pass the National Home Inspector Exam.
It all depends on the reciprocity agreement for each state.
If the New State Doesn’t Require Licenses for Home Inspectors
If the new state doesn’t require you to have a license to perform home inspections, you should still check for any local regulations you may need to meet before offering your services.
In licensed and non-licensed states, you’ll still need to register your business with the Secretary of State for tax purposes and secure a business license to legally provide your services.
Don’t Inspect Homes Without Knowing the License Requirements
It may go without saying, but you shouldn’t inspect a home in another state—or even in your current state—without first understanding and meeting the license and/or education requirements.
If you provide home inspection services without a required license, without understanding the state’s Standards of Practice, or without meeting other regulations, you could incur legal and financial penalties. This is simple to avoid. Double-check the home inspection license and training requirements with each state’s regulatory board and ensure you meet them for any state you plan to work in.
States That Require Home Inspectors to Be Licensed
The below states require home inspectors to complete home inspector training and earn a state-issued license before performing home inspections.
| States Where Licenses are Required for Home Inspectors |
|---|
| Alabama |
| Alaska |
| Arizona |
| Arkansas |
| Connecticut |
| Delaware |
| Florida |
| Illinois |
| Indiana |
| Kentucky |
| Louisiana |
| Maryland |
| Massachusetts |
| Mississippi |
| Montana |
| Nevada |
| New Hampshire |
| New Jersey |
| New Mexico |
| New York |
| North Carolina |
| North Dakota |
| Ohio |
| Oklahoma |
| Oregon |
| Rhode Island |
| South Carolina |
| South Dakota |
| Tennessee |
| Texas |
| Vermont |
| Virginia |
| Washington |
| West Virginia |
| Wisconsin |
States That Don’t Require Home Inspectors to Be Licensed
The below states don’t require home inspectors to complete home inspector training and earn a state-issued license before performing home inspections.
| States Where Licenses are Not Required for Home Inspectors |
|---|
| California |
| Colorado |
| Georgia |
| Hawaii |
| Idaho |
| Iowa |
| Kansas |
| Maine |
| Michigan |
| Minnesota |
| Missouri |
| Nebraska |
| Pennsylvania |
| Utah |
| Washington, D.C. |
| Wyoming |
Some of these states—including California, Georgia, and Pennsylvania—have other regulations you must meet before providing inspections. Some regulations may be city- or county-created statutes. Others might enforce a requirement to join a home inspection association, such as the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) or the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI). Always check the requirements for home inspectors in your locale before opening for business.
In non-licensed states, it’s also a good idea to complete comprehensive home inspector training even though it’s not required. Professional home inspectors should be qualified to perform home inspections before offering them.
States with Reciprocity for Home Inspectors
The below states have reciprocity agreements with other states for home inspectors. This information is current as of October 2024. Since state requirements can change, we recommend always checking with a state’s home inspection regulatory board for the most updated reciprocity information.
States Without Reciprocity for Home Inspectors
The below states do not have reciprocity agreements with other states for home inspectors. In these states, you’ll need to earn a home inspector license by meeting all of the state’s home inspection training and license requirements (if the state has those requirements).
| States Without Reciprocity for Home Inspectors |
|---|
| Alabama |
| Alaska |
| California |
| Colorado |
| Georgia |
| Hawaii |
| Idaho |
| Iowa |
| Kansas |
| Maine |
| Michigan |
| Minnesota |
| Missouri |
| Nebraska |
| Nevada |
| North Dakota |
| Pennsylvania |
| Utah |
| Vermont |
| Wisconsin |
| Wyoming |
Check Your State Requirements and Get Started With AHIT Training!
AHIT makes it easy to understand your state’s home inspector license requirements—and follow a step-by-step path to licensure and/or qualifying training. Enroll in AHIT home inspection training and start working toward your license in one (or more) states today! Learn more about becoming a home inspector.
About the Author: Ashley Roe
