Become a Home Inspector

• Submit a completed application and the required fee to the Department of State.

You can apply based on any of the following categories:

• Have successfully completed high school or its equivalent;
• Education: Taken and successfully completed a course of study of not less than 140 hours approved by the Department. Of those hours, 40 must be unpaid field based inspections in the presence of and under direct supervision of a Home Inspector licensed by NYS, or a professional engineer or architect, regulated by NYS,

OR

• Have performed not less than 100 home inspections (paid or unpaid) in the presence of and under the direct supervision of a Home Inspector licensed by NYS, or a professional engineer or architect regulated by NYS,

AND

Successful Completion of an Exam: Have passed the NYS written examination or have taken and passed the National Home Inspector examination.

• Freedom from Disqualifying Criminal Convictions
• Secure, maintain, and file proof of a certificate of liability coverage with the Department of State, which shall be a minimum amount of $150,000 per occurrence and $500,000 aggregate.

There are fees associated a Home Inspector license. You may pay these fees by check or money order made payable to the Department of State or by MasterCard or Visa using a credit card authorization form. DO NOT SEND CASH. Application fees are nonrefundable. A $20 fee will be charged for any check returned by your bank.

• $250 - Initial Application
• $50 - Written Exam
• $100 - Renewal
• $25 - Change of Personal Name and/or Address (No fee is required if a name change is the result of a change in marital status)
• $25.00 - Duplicate License/Registration Request

Course Providers offer the qualifying and continuing education courses for Home Inspectors.

Home Inspection courses and offerings may be given by any college or university accredited by the Commissioner of Education of the State of New York or by a regional accrediting agency accepted by said Commissioner of Education; public and private schools; and home inspection related professional societies and organizations.

Approved Schools and Education Information:

• Home Inspection Qualifying Schools

Home inspectors are required to complete 24 hours of approved continuing education within their two-year license renewal period prior to the expiration date in order to renew their license.

• Home Inspection Continuing Education Schools

A Legislative change effective April 3, 2020 allows Home Inspector applicants to pass either the New York State Home Inspector License Examination or the National Home Inspector Examination to qualify for licensure.

Visit the National Home Inspector Examination (EBPHI) website for information and resources to assist you in preparing for the exam.  If you have questions about the exam, contact the National Home Inspector Examination (EBPHI) by phone at 847-298-7750 or by email at [email protected].

The National Home Inspector Examination test provider is PSI.  Visit PSI’s website to register, schedule and pay for your National Home Inspector Examination. 

PSI’s website is compatible with Google Chrome.  Using a web browser other than Google Chrome may result in a site failure preventing you from completing your exam registration. If you have questions for PSI call (833) 333-4754 or email [email protected].

Follow the steps below to register with PSI and to schedule and pay for your examination:

1. On the PSI Exams Online page, click “Sign In or Create An Account”.
2. On the Login page click “Sign Up” to create an account.
3. After creating an account, select “Register for a test” from the Welcome Page.
4. On the Register for a Test page, choose “Government/State Licensing Agencies” from the Select Organization dropdown choices.
5. Choose “A National Home Inspector (EBPHI)” under Select Jurisdiction. (This is the first choice listed above Alabama.)
6. Under Select Account, choose “National Home Inspector (EBPHI)”.
7. Double click on “National Home Inspector Examination” under Examination shown below in red.

frequently asked questions