Alabama Home Inspection Requirements

(1) In order to receive a license, a Home Inspector must successfully complete the following actions:

(a) File an accurate, complete, timely, and notarized application for license with the Director, along with the appropriate fee.

(b) Obtain bodily injury and property damage liability insurance covering the applicant’s home inspection operations in the sum of not less than $20,000 for injury or damage to property; $50,000 for injury or damage, including death, to any one person; $100,000 for injury or damage, including death, to more than one person; and $250,000 of errors and omissions coverage.

(c) Provide evidence of one of the following professional qualifications:

1. Membership in and adherence to the ethical standards of one of the following professional bodies at the time of application:  American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc. (ASHI), Housing Inspection Foundation, dba The Association of Home Inspectors, Home Inspection Institute, National Association of Home Inspectors, Inc., National Institute of Building Inspectors (NIBI), American Inspectors Society, Home Inspection Institute of America, Inspection Depot, Advantage Systems ASP, LLC, Inspection Technology Institute or International Society of Home Inspectors OR

2. Approval or certification by one of the following agencies to inspect residential construction: The United States Veterans Administration, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Southern Building Code Congress International, or the Council of American Building Officials OR

3. A high school diploma or its equivalent, work experience for at least one year as a home inspector, and completion of at least 100 home inspections for compensation OR

4. Alabama licensure on or after January 1, 1998, as a general contractor, registered professional architect, registered professional engineer, or residential home builder. Renewals of home inspector licensure previously supported by evidence of an acceptable professional license shall not require the applicant to repeat proof of such professional licensing.

(d) Complete a written examination demonstrating to the Building Commission that the applicant possesses an appropriate understanding of the Standards of Practice (Rule 170-X-25-.01) and the Code of Ethics (Rule 170-X-25-.02) promulgated by the Building Commission and a written examination demonstrating adequate knowledge of performing home inspections. The written examination for Home Inspectors to demonstrate appropriate understanding of the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics will be the American Society of Home Inspectors Standards and Ethics Examination. The written examination demonstrating adequate knowledge of performing home inspections will be the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors National Home Inspectors Examination. Applicants shall pay any and all fees associated with testing directly to the organizations conducting the testing. Applicants must present with their application, original or duplicate test score reports demonstrating that the applicant has passed both tests within ninety (90) days of submitting the application.

Submit Inspector App. to the Secretary of the State

Attn: Home Inspector Registration Section

Office of the Alabama Secretary of State

P.O. Box 5616

Montgomery, AL 36103-5616

Approved under educational requirements. Learn more about Alabama home inspection training.

State requirements were reviewed on 04/06/2012; however, no changes in regulations have occurred