Exams: Home inspectors

Education, training, and exam requirements

You must complete the following education and training, and pass the appropriate home inspector exam, before you can get a license.

Level of experience Education and training required Exam required
Very new inspectors
who haven’t actively performed home inspections on or before June 12, 2008.
  • Fundamentals of Home Inspection (120 clock hours)
  • Field training (40 hours)
 Full exam
Newer inspectors
who are actively performing home inspections, but don’t have 2 years of experience and haven’t completed at least 100 home inspections as of June 12, 2008.
  • Fundamentals of Home Inspection (120 clock hours)
  • Field training (40 hours)
 Full exam
Out-of-state inspectors
who have been licensed as a home inspector in good standing for at least 2 of the last 5 years in a state with licensing requirements that meet or exceed Washington’s.		 Education and training that meets or exceeds Washington’s requirements. You will be required to provide proof you have completed your training. State portion of the exam

How to apply for the exam

  1. Complete a Adobe PDF iconHome Inspector Examination Application. Be sure to include proof you have completed 120 hours of classroom instruction in board-approved courses and 40 hours of field training with a licensed/experienced home inspector.
  2. Enclose your completed application with all the required supporting documents.
  3. Mail it to:
    Home Inspector Program
    Business and Professions Division
    Department of Licensing
    PO Box 9048
    Olympia, WA 98507-9048

After you submit your application

  1. We will evaluate your application and supporting documents and:
    • Send you an exam approval letter telling you that your application is complete and providing the information you will need to schedule your exam with the testing service provider.
    • OR
    • A letter asking for additional information so we can process your application.
  2. If you are approved to take the exam, follow the instructions in the approval letter to make an appointment to take the exam. It is a good idea to review the Adobe PDF iconHome Inspector Examination Candidate Handbook to prepare for the exam.
  3. Bring your exam approval letter and payment for the exam fees when you go to the testing site. You must show the approval letter you received from us before you will be allowed to take the exam. After you take the exam, you will receive your exam results (Pass/Fail Report) as you leave the testing center.