Become a Professional Home Inspector in Maryland — Your Four Step Guide to a Maryland Home Inspector License

Complete an On-Site, Commission-Approved Course of at Least 72 Hours

The Maryland Department of Labor requires a license to work as a home inspector, and choosing the right training will set you apart and build your brand as a reputable professional. This 72-hr. recommended Maryland-approved home inspector course, including ebooks, aligns with topics on the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE).

Pass 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.

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 and submit it with the receipt to the VA for reimbursement.

Submit Your Home Inspector Application to Maryland’s Department of Labor

For those wanting to earn their Maryland home inspector license, follow these steps per the Maryland Department of Labor:

• You must provide evidence of having obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent.
• You must complete the application and send photocopies of course certificates reflecting your completion of 72 hours of an on-site, classroom-based training course approved by the Commission.
• Following this, you must provide an examination score report verifying your successful completion of the NHIE.
• Finally, you must pay a non-refundable application review fee of $50.00.

Provide Proof of General Liability Coverage for at Least $150,000

Home inspectors must maintain general liability insurance coverage in the amount of $150,000 or more. Once you’ve provided proof of general liability coverage, you will be issued a license for a two-year term commencing on the effective date that appears on your license.

The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors offers insurance for home inspectors. To learn more, visit NACHI.org/Insurance.