How to Become a Licensed Home Inspector in Alabama

InterNACHI is the world's leading association for home inspectors. We provide free training, online testing and certification, business development, marketing support, discounts on everything from home inspection software to E&O insurance to your next truck, and more.

InterNACHI® School is accredited as a college by ACCET, a national accrediting agency of the U.S. Department of Education, to provide tuition-free online training, examination, certification, and continuing education to InterNACHI® members in Arizona. 

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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:

  1. Have a membership in one of the state-approved organizations. InterNACHI® is a state-approved organization, and we recommend joining InterNACHI®. 
  2. 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.aspx and their application to learn more). An initial applicant must:  
    1. Complete a minimum of 120 hours of approved home inspector education, such as InterNACHI's accredited Home Inspector Certificate Program, and participate in 35 home inspections, OR complete a minimum of 35 hours of approved home inspector education and participate in 100 home inspections.
    2. Pass two exams. Unfortunately, the state 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, which are all provided by internachi.edu. 
    3. Draft 25 home inspection reports. Ten 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 ten reports. Find a local inspector.
    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.



To Help Prepare for the State Exams

To help prepare for the state exam, you may take advantage of several resources we provide, such as InterNACHI's Online Inspector Exam (free and open to everyone), the InterNACHI® Ultimate Home Inspection Practice Test (free for members), and InterNACHI's online courses (free for members). We do not know what's on the state exams, but the preparation resources may be helpful to you. Not a member? Join now.



Insurance for Home Inspectors

To become a licensed home inspector in Alabama, individuals must meet certain requirements for adequate insurance coverage. InterNACHI® members are eligible for discounts and enhanced coverage. Visit nachi.org/insurance for information on how to sign up.



Residential New Construction Inspector

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 Information

According to the state, 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 to become an EIFS Inspector in Alabama. If you don't desire this designation but want to be trained 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."  



To Renew Your Alabama Home Inspector License

Beginning with renewals for 2021, to renew a home inspector license, you must: 



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.

We recommend following the 15-Step Checklist for Home Inspector Success. 



Join InterNACHI®

InterNACHI® is the world's leading association of residential and commercial property inspectors that provides free training, online examination and certification, business development, marketing support, membership benefits, discounts on everything from home inspection software to E&O insurance to your next truck, and more. We have everything you need, all in one place.

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Hands-On Training at the House of Horrors®

The InterNACHI® House of Horrors® is an entire house with a thousand defects built under our roof. Experience world-class inspection training and InterNACHI® member events at our two locations in Colorado and Florida. Register for a free event, take training, test-drive inspection tools, attend chapter meetings, and inspect the House of Horrors®. 

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Contact Other Members in AL

Network with hundreds of InterNACHI® certified inspectors in Alabama.



Join an InterNACHI® Member Chapter

Contact an InterNACHI Mentor. InterNACHI® provides peer-to-peer learning experiences for both inspectors who need additional assistance and for experienced inspectors who are interested in helping other inspectors. 



Radon Tester Certification in Alabama

     

The Alabama Department of Public Health recommends that consumers hire a Certified Radon Tester who has completed a radon measurement training certification course approved by AARST-NRPP or NRSB.  Visit the Alabama website for details. 


NRPP: InterNACHI's free, online Radon Measurement Professional Initial Training Course  is AARST-NRPP-approved for both initial certification and Continuing Education. To complete all components of the NRPP Radon Certification, please visit their site for more information.  

NRSB: InterNACHI's free, online Radon Measurement Professional Initial Training Course is NRSB-approved for initial certification. For those looking for NRSB continuing education, members should take the free, online "Advanced Radon Measurement Service Provider" course.



Wood Destroying Organism Inspection Course


The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries does not currently have regulations for structural pest inspection. According to the Alabama Dept. of Agriculture, home inspectors "...are not allowed to make diagnoses, prognoses, or recommendations pertaining to treatment of said structural wood damage. They should simply advise the client to contact a licensed pest control company."

Take InterNACHI's Wood-Destroying Organism (WDO) Course.



Commercial Property Inspections

Become a InterNACHI® Certified Commercial Property Inspector. The online training and certification is free for members.

Visit Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association (CCPIA) for additional commercial inspection training and resources.



Home Inspector Training Partners

InterNACHI® Training Partners who provide home inspector training classes in Alabama.



Become a Certified Home Energy Inspector


 

Become an InterNACHI-Certified Home Energy Inspector. The online training and certification are free for members. No infrared, no blower door, and no additional training needed. 

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Inspection Business Resources

InterNACHI provides members business and marketing resources, including:



Inspector Marketing Services

InterNACHI's Member Market Team provides free marketing design, illustration, and consultation services to InterNACHI® members. InterNACHI's Marketing Team will design a new logo for your inspection business or re-design your existing logo, and design and customize your business cards, flyers, and brochures. It's all for free. Take a look at the free design work we've done for our members. Contact the Inspector Marketing Department today. 

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Marketing to Real Estate Agents 

InterNACHI® provides free resources to members who network with real estate agents, including:

InterNACHI® members give the free marketing cards to real estate agents. The cards provide simple instructions for real estate agents to complete free, online state-approved Continuing Education to help renew their licenses. Check out InterNACHI's free, online CE courses for licensed real estate agents. Agents interested in courses should be advised, 

"InterNACHI must submit all CE course credit to the Alabama Real Estate Commission before October 1 of even-numbered years. Therefore, all CE courses must be completed by Friday, September 27. Any courses completed after that date may not be reported prior to the deadline resulting in an inactive license which will require a license activation fee after the course credit has been submitted."

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15 Steps to Become a Successful Home Inspector


InterNACHI® provides everything you need to be successful. 



Membership Benefits

 

InterNACHI provides many benefits to its members at no cost. 

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Inspector Licensing in Other Regions

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