What Alabama home inspector requirements are there?

General

In your state, home inspections are regulated by the Alabama Department of Finance Division of Construction Management. To start the process of obtaining your Alabama home inspector license, you’ll first need to visit the home inspectors’ division here. This page houses the license applications you’ll need, including the new home inspector application, new EIFS inspector application, and renewals for both. 

As listed under the new inspector’s application, one of the following must apply to you:

1. Professional membership in an industry organization such as the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), the National Institute of Building Inspectors (NIBI), and more. Review the app for the full list. Note that the Alabama Home Inspector Organization (AHIO), a state nonprofit, is not an organization like ASHI or InterNACHI. AHIO did, however, combine efforts between its chapters, ASHI, and InterNACHI back in 2018 to provide education and promote excellence across Alabama’s home inspectors. Visit AHIO’s website to learn about membership.
2. Certification or approval from the Southern Building Code Congress International (ICC), U.S. Veterans Administration, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Council of American Building Officials, or International Code Council (ICC).
3. On or after 1/1/98, Alabama licensure for general contractor, registered professional engineer, registered professional architect, or residential home builder.
4. OR, a high school diploma or GED.

Education and Training

Next, you must demonstrate that you’re up to par on your education and experience. You have two options:

1. Finish 120 hours of state-approved education and participate in 35 home inspections.
2. OR, finish at least 35 hours of state-approved education and participate in 100 home inspections. 

You’ll also need to pass the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) and the ASHI Standards and Ethics Examination. Alternatively, if you’re an InterNACHI member, the organization suggests contacting the state of Alabama for their equivalent exams. 

Most importantly, be sure to pass both qualifying exams within 18 months. You will not be approved for your Alabama home inspector license otherwise.

Report Writing

After that, per Alabama’s home inspector requirements, write 25 inspection reports. Take 10 of those reports and ask a home inspector with five years of experience to review and correct them. Once you’ve finished the reports, it’s time to invest in your insurance.