how to become a home inspector in alabama

Home Inspector Licensing

For home inspector licensing details from the state website, visit dcm.alabama.gov/Inspection. To initially become a licensed home inspector, the applicant must:

Have a membership in one of the state-approved organizations. InterNACHI® is a state-approved organization. We recommend joining InterNACHI®.
Complete a combination of approved education courses and participate in home inspections under the supervision of a qualified Home Inspector (visit http://dcm.alabama.gov/Inspection.aspxand their 2021 application to learn more). An initial applicant must:
1. Complete a minimum of 120 hours of approved home inspector education and participate in 35 home inspections, OR complete a minimum of 35 hours of approved home inspector education and participate in 100 home inspections. InterNACHI's state-approved education is free and online for members. Members may track their hours and progress by logging into their members-only account.
2. Pass two exams. The state, unfortunately, requires you to take ASHI's Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics and EBPHI's NHIE, which have exam fees. You may contact the state and request affordable alternative, equivalent exams such as InterNACHI's free Online Inspector Exam, InterNACHI's free online Standards of Practice Course & Exam, and InterNACHI's free online Code of Ethics Course & Exam that are all provided by internachi.edu.
3. Draft 25 home inspection reports. 10 of these reports must be reviewed by a home inspector. A home inspector is qualified under the Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 355-17-.06 (1) (d) if (1) he or she is licensed in his or her state and has been licensed for the past five years, or (2) he or she has been a member of InterNACHI® for the past five years and he or she practices in a state without licensing. InterNACHI® Mentors can review your 10 reports. Email them to education@internachi.org and ask for them to be reviewed. This is a free service provided by InterNACHI®.
4. Obtain home inspector insurance that meets the state's minimum requirements. We recommend InterNACHI's Home Inspector Insurance.
5. Submit an application and fee to the state. The application is on the state website.

Residential New Construction Inspector (Optional)

According to the new law 355-17-1-.06 (2), this designation is NOT a mandatory requirement for inspecting residential new construction. The lack of a Designation shall not be construed to limit the rights of any licensee under the Act. It is not a mandatory requirement for inspecting residential new construction. To obtain a Residential New Construction Designation, a home inspector licensed and in good standing in Alabama must: (a) submit the appropriate application form; and (b) submit proof of successful completion of an eight-hour Residential New Construction training module approved by the state and completed no more than two years prior to the date of application. Take InterNACHI's free, online "Residential Structural Design for Home Inspectors Course."

EIFS Inspector

To become an EIFS Inspector in Alabama, one must be a member of the Exterior Design Institute or the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry and submit an application form to the state. If you don't desire this designation, but you want to be competent in identifying and inspecting stucco during a typical home inspection, we recommend taking InterNACHI's free, online "Advanced Stucco & EIFS Inspection Training for Inspectors Course."

Become an InterNACHI Certified Stucco/EIFS Inspector (free & online to members). Watch this short tips video on inspecting stucco and EIFS.

To Renew Your Home Inspector License in Alabama

Become an InterNACHI® Certified Home Inspector

Just because you're licensed doesn't mean you'll be successful. To compete with all other licensed home inspectors, take advantage of all of the marketing and business resources that InterNACHI® provides to InterNACHI® Certified Home Inspectors. InterNACHI® provides an accredited Home Inspector Certificate Program to members to attain the Certified Professional Inspector (CPI)® designation. The training, exam, and certification are all online and free for members.

Join InterNACHI®

InterNACHI® is the world's leading association of residential and commercial property inspectors that provides freetraining, onlineexamination andcertification,business development,marketing support,membership benefits, discounts on everything fromhome inspection software toE&O insurance to your next truck, and more. We haveeverything you need, all in one place.

Join InterNACHI®

InterNACHI® School

InterNACHI® School (internachi.edu) is the only home inspector college accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. All training, exams, and Continuing Education are free for members. Join InterNACHI® today .

Get Trained

To Help Prepare for the State Exams