Which states require a home inspector license?
Home inspectors are licensed in 34 of the 50 US states (2026 industry compilations); 14 states require no license, and Montana and North Dakota are disputed between sources. In licensed states, the state Standard of Practice is the legal floor for every inspection. Only Texas and Florida are verified at official sources below — every unchecked cell is marked UNVERIFIED.
This page is a reference table, not legal advice. Licensing rules change; verify any row with your state licensing board before relying on it.
Licensed states (34)
Home inspectors are licensed in roughly two-thirds of US states, and where a license exists the state Standards of Practice are the legal floor for inspections performed there, taking precedence over association standards (Spectora and ISN industry compilations). Two states are verified at their official sources; for six more, the existence of a state SOP is confirmed by this site's state pages; the rest are listed from the 2026 industry compilation with every unchecked cell marked.
| State | State Standard of Practice | Licensing body | Documentary requirements | Verification status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <a href="/texas/">Texas</a> | 22 TAC §§535.227–535.233 (in force February 1, 2022) | Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) | Mandatory report form: TREC Property Inspection Report Form (REI 7-6) | SOP and report-form requirement verified at trec.texas.gov, September 12, 2026 |
| <a href="/florida/">Florida</a> | FAC 61-30.801–61-30.811 | Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) | No mandatory form — the standard defines inspection content, not a form | SOP verified at flrules.org (Chapter 61-30), September 12, 2026 |
| <a href="/states/alaska/">Alaska</a> | State Standard of Practice confirmed to exist; rule reference UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed status per industry compilations; not re-verified at the official source |
| <a href="/states/connecticut/">Connecticut</a> | State Standard of Practice confirmed to exist; rule reference UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed status per industry compilations; not re-verified at the official source |
| <a href="/states/delaware/">Delaware</a> | State Standard of Practice confirmed to exist; rule reference UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed status per industry compilations; not re-verified at the official source |
| <a href="/states/rhode-island/">Rhode Island</a> | State Standard of Practice confirmed to exist; rule reference UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed status per industry compilations; not re-verified at the official source |
| <a href="/states/south-carolina/">South Carolina</a> | State Standard of Practice confirmed to exist; rule reference UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed status per industry compilations; not re-verified at the official source |
| <a href="/states/virginia/">Virginia</a> | State Standard of Practice confirmed to exist; rule reference UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed status per industry compilations; not re-verified at the official source |
| Alabama | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
| Arizona | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
| Arkansas | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
| California | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
| Hawaii | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
| Illinois | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
| Indiana | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
| Kentucky | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
| Louisiana | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
| Maryland | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
| Mississippi | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
| Nebraska | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
| Nevada | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
| New Hampshire | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
| New Jersey | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
| New Mexico | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
| New York | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
| North Carolina | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
| Ohio | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
| Oklahoma | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
| Oregon | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
| Pennsylvania | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
| Tennessee | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
| Utah | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
| Washington | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
| West Virginia | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Licensed per InspectorData (2026); nothing verified at the official source |
States without home inspector licensing (14)
Per InspectorData's 2026 compilation, these states require no home inspector license and have no state Standard of Practice; inspectors there typically work to the InterNACHI or ASHI standard.
| State | State Standard of Practice | Licensing body | Documentary requirements | Verification status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | No state Standard of Practice — the InterNACHI or ASHI standard is typically used (industry compilations) | No licensing body — no state license (InspectorData, 2026) | No state-mandated report form known | Unlicensed per InspectorData (2026) |
| Georgia | No state Standard of Practice — the InterNACHI or ASHI standard is typically used (industry compilations) | No licensing body — no state license (InspectorData, 2026) | No state-mandated report form known | Unlicensed per InspectorData (2026) |
| Idaho | No state Standard of Practice — the InterNACHI or ASHI standard is typically used (industry compilations) | No licensing body — no state license (InspectorData, 2026) | No state-mandated report form known | Unlicensed per InspectorData (2026) |
| Iowa | No state Standard of Practice — the InterNACHI or ASHI standard is typically used (industry compilations) | No licensing body — no state license (InspectorData, 2026) | No state-mandated report form known | Unlicensed per InspectorData (2026) |
| Kansas | No state Standard of Practice — the InterNACHI or ASHI standard is typically used (industry compilations) | No licensing body — no state license (InspectorData, 2026) | No state-mandated report form known | Unlicensed per InspectorData (2026) |
| Maine | No state Standard of Practice — the InterNACHI or ASHI standard is typically used (industry compilations) | No licensing body — no state license (InspectorData, 2026) | No state-mandated report form known | Unlicensed per InspectorData (2026) |
| Massachusetts | No state Standard of Practice — the InterNACHI or ASHI standard is typically used (industry compilations) | No licensing body — no state license (InspectorData, 2026) | No state-mandated report form known | Unlicensed per InspectorData (2026) |
| Michigan | No state Standard of Practice — the InterNACHI or ASHI standard is typically used (industry compilations) | No licensing body — no state license (InspectorData, 2026) | No state-mandated report form known | Unlicensed per InspectorData (2026) |
| Minnesota | No state Standard of Practice — the InterNACHI or ASHI standard is typically used (industry compilations) | No licensing body — no state license (InspectorData, 2026) | No state-mandated report form known | Unlicensed per InspectorData (2026) |
| Missouri | No state Standard of Practice — the InterNACHI or ASHI standard is typically used (industry compilations) | No licensing body — no state license (InspectorData, 2026) | No state-mandated report form known | Unlicensed per InspectorData (2026) |
| South Dakota | No state Standard of Practice — the InterNACHI or ASHI standard is typically used (industry compilations) | No licensing body — no state license (InspectorData, 2026) | No state-mandated report form known | Unlicensed per InspectorData (2026) |
| Vermont | No state Standard of Practice — the InterNACHI or ASHI standard is typically used (industry compilations) | No licensing body — no state license (InspectorData, 2026) | No state-mandated report form known | Unlicensed per InspectorData (2026) |
| Wisconsin | No state Standard of Practice — the InterNACHI or ASHI standard is typically used (industry compilations) | No licensing body — no state license (InspectorData, 2026) | No state-mandated report form known | Unlicensed per InspectorData (2026) |
| Wyoming | No state Standard of Practice — the InterNACHI or ASHI standard is typically used (industry compilations) | No licensing body — no state license (InspectorData, 2026) | No state-mandated report form known | Unlicensed per InspectorData (2026) |
Disputed between sources (2)
ISN's 2023 compilation describes Montana and North Dakota as regulated; InspectorData's 2026 compilation lists both as unlicensed. The sources contradict each other, so neither state is classified.
| State | State Standard of Practice | Licensing body | Documentary requirements | Verification status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Disputed: ISN (2023) lists the state as regulated, InspectorData (2026) as unlicensed. Unresolved — not classified. |
| North Dakota | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | UNVERIFIED | Disputed: ISN (2023) lists the state as regulated, InspectorData (2026) as unlicensed. Unresolved — not classified. |
Washington, D.C. is not covered by the sources used for this table.
Sources and verification dates
- InspectorData — “States with no home inspection license required” (2026). Basis of the 16-state unlicensed list; the 14 undisputed states are shown above, and its contradiction with ISN on Montana and North Dakota is reported as-is. inspectordata.com
- Spectora — “Home inspector license requirements map” (industry compilation, consulted September 12, 2026). Basis of the “licensed in roughly two-thirds of states; state SOP is the legal floor” statements. spectora.com
- ISN — “Home inspector licensing requirements by state” (2023). The source that lists Montana and North Dakota as regulated. inspectionsupport.com
- Texas Real Estate Commission — Standards of Practice 22 TAC §§535.227–535.233 and Property Inspection Report Form REI 7-6 (verified September 12, 2026). trec.texas.gov/online-sops
- Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 61-30 (verified September 12, 2026). flrules.org
Frequently asked questions
Which states do not require a home inspector license?
Fourteen states require no home inspector license according to InspectorData's 2026 compilation: Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Montana and North Dakota are disputed between sources and are not classified here.
What inspection standard applies in a licensed state?
The state's own Standards of Practice. Industry references (Spectora, ISN) agree that where a state licenses home inspectors, its SOP is the legal floor for inspections performed there, and it takes precedence over association standards such as InterNACHI or ASHI.
Does Texas require a specific home inspection report form?
Yes. Texas inspectors must deliver their report on the TREC Property Inspection Report Form (REI 7-6), mandated by the Texas Real Estate Commission alongside the Standards of Practice in 22 TAC §§535.227–535.233 (verified September 12, 2026 at trec.texas.gov).
Does Florida mandate a report form?
No. Florida's Standards of Practice (FAC 61-30.801–61-30.811, administered by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation) define what must be inspected and reported, but do not impose a mandatory form (verified September 12, 2026 at flrules.org).
Why are so many cells marked UNVERIFIED?
This table compiles only what its cited sources establish. Anything that has not been checked against the official state source — most SOP rule references, licensing bodies and report-form requirements — is marked UNVERIFIED rather than filled in from memory or guesswork.
Do home inspector license requirements change?
They can. The compilations used here are dated 2023 (ISN) and 2026 (InspectorData), and the Texas and Florida rules were verified on September 12, 2026. Check with your state licensing board before relying on any row of this table.
About this table
Maintained alongside Home Inspection Checklists, which turns verified state Standards of Practice (Texas and Florida, more states added one at a time after source verification) into printable working checklists for inspectors.