Home Inspection License Requirements
Home Inspector - Initial License by Examination (HI 0401)
Home Inspectors License Requirements FAQ
National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) FAQs
License Requirements
This application is used by individuals who have taken and passed the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) given by the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors (EBPHI).
Application Requirements:
- EXAMINATION: Individuals seeking licensure as a Home Inspector must first take and pass the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE). The examination will be administered by Pearson VUE in computer based testing format. To contact Pearson VUE please call 1-888-204-6230 or visit their website at www.pearsonvue.com.
- EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: The applicant must demonstrate proof of completing a course of study approved by the department of not less than 120 hours that covers the 8 components of a home and has passed the examination required by the department. This is not a complete listing of educational and experience requirements. Please see the application instructions page for complete information.
- FINGERPRINTS: An applicant must have a background check as part of the licensing process. To learn more about fingerprinting, please visit our fingerprint FAQS.
- INSURANCE: Applicants are required to attest that they have obtained commercial general liability insurance in the amount of $300,000.
- FEE: Pay the required fee as provided in the application, payable to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
- APPLICATION: Complete the application by selecting the "Printable Application" link at the bottom of the page.
- MORE INFORMATION: Learn more about this profession's application requirements.
Enforcement of Unlicensed Activity for Home Inspectors will begin July 1, 2011
House Bill 713 delayed unlicensed enforcement of home inspector licensure until July 1, 2011. This delay allowed initial applicants and those who were already working in the profession the necessary time to complete education, experience and testing necessary to meet the licensure requirements. In addition, this delay helped to identify any unintended consequences of the new legislation and present possible solutions during the 2011 Legislative Session. Starting on July 1, 2011, the full enforcement of home inspector licensure requirements per Chapter 468, Part XV, Florida Statutes. This means anyone holding themselves out to be home inspectors needs to be licensed through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Please review Chapter 468, Part XV, Florida Statutes for the laws detailing Home Inspection services.
Licensure by Grandfathering
Legislation passed during the 2011 legislative session which allows three new groups of professionals to apply for licensure by grandfathering as a home inspector. These groups include individuals with current certification as one- and two-family dwelling inspector issued by the International Code Council or the Southern Building Code Congress International, individuals with current certification (active or inactive) as one- and two- family dwelling inspector issued by the Florida Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board, and individuals with a current (active or inactive) Division I contractor license issued under part I of Chapter 489, F.S. Grandfathering for these individuals will be available until July 1, 2012. The department will continue to process the applications that were previously filed by applicants who applied by March 1, 2011 under the prior grandfather provisions.
If you have questions or need assistance in completing this application, please call or e-mail the Customer Contact Center at 850.487.1395 or Call.Center@dbpr.state.fl.us
Apply Using a Printable Application
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