Become a Home Inspection Professional in Arkansas — Your Step-by-Step Career Guide in Arkansas

Complete 80 Hours of Arkansas-Approved Home Inspection Education

The Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing requires a license to work as a home inspector, and choosing the right training will set you apart and help you build your brand as a reputable inspector. The 80-hour recommended Arkansas-approved home inspector course aligns with topics on the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE).

Apprenticeship Training

Apprenticeship training must include 3 home inspections with a total of no less than 10 hours with board-approved trainer.

Pass the ASHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics Exam & the National Home Inspector Exam

After completing your home inspector education, the next step in establishing yourself as a trusted expert is passing the National Home Inspector Exam. The exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions (25 of which are not scored) covering three major domains, or sections, that every home inspector should know. Those domains are:

• Property and Building Inspection/Site Review
• Analysis of Findings and Reporting
• Professional Responsibilities

Test takers are given 4 hours to complete the exam, and each attempt costs roughly $225 (depending on your location). Due to the unignorable cost of taking the exam, we highly recommend taking an Exam Prep course to greatly increase your chances of passing on the first try. If an individual does not pass, they must wait 30 days before taking the exam again.

Arkansas also requires the completion of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics Exam. There is an $85 fee to take this exam.

Fun Fact: Veterans taking the National Home Inspector Exam are eligible for reimbursement through the GI Bill. Those who choose to exercise this benefit must complete a VBA-22-0803-ARE form and submit it with the receipt to the VA for reimbursement.

Provide Proof of General Liability Insurance of at Least $100,000

As a licensed home inspector in Arkansas, you must obtain general liability insurance. General liability insurance helps cover claims of negligence, errors in your services, misrepresentation, inaccurate advice, omissions, and violations of good faith and fair dealing. You’re required to have a policy minimum of $100,000, and you must include a valid policy number and effective coverage dates.

Pay the Registration Fee and Submit a Notarized Application to Be an Arkansas Home Inspector

Once you’ve taken and passed the National Home Inspector Exam, you can apply for your license. Please note that you’ll need to pay an annual $250 registration fee to renew your Arkansas Home Inspector License. When you apply for your license, you’ll pay $250 if your application is received between 1/1 and 6/31. If your application is received between 7/1 and 12/31, the fee is $375, which covers the remainder of that year plus the following calendar year. You will also need to get your application notarized.