Maryland home inspector license: Complete 2026 Guide

Official-source review: August 27, 2026

Maryland home inspector license: Maryland licenses home inspectors through the Real Estate Appraisers, Appraisal Management Companies and Home Inspectors Commission. Applicants complete a 72-hour approved onsite course, pass the NHIE, document secondary education and carry liability insurance.

Fast answer: Complete an approved 72-hour onsite course, pass the National Home Inspector Examination, provide a high-school diploma or equivalent, submit the application, pay the $325 license fee after approval and file at least $150,000 of general liability insurance.

Maryland home inspector license authority education experience exams fees insurance renewal — Maryland requirements summarized from the responsible agencies. Local permits, employers and certifying bodies may impose additional conditions.

What the Maryland home inspector license covers

Maryland licenses home inspectors through the Real Estate Appraisers, Appraisal Management Companies and Home Inspectors Commission. Applicants complete a 72-hour approved onsite course, pass the NHIE, document secondary education and carry liability insurance.

Compensated residential home inspections and written evaluations under Maryland standards of practice.
Work only within the classification issued.
Obtain every county or municipal permit and inspection.

Compare related occupations and states in the License Finder.

Maryland home inspector license requirements at a glance

Requirement	Current rule or route
Route	Approved 72-hour onsite course, National Home Inspector Examination, education credential, application and liability insurance
Experience	No separate field-hour route is published beyond successful completion of the approved onsite course.
Exam	Pass the National Home Inspector Examination.
Fees	$325 license fee after initial approval, plus course, NHIE, insurance and renewal costs.
Insurance or bond	At least $150,000 general liability insurance, with the individual inspector named.
Renewal	Every two years; the first renewal is exempt from the 30-hour continuing-education requirement.

Do not treat this table as an approval notice. The agency, certification organization or local jurisdiction makes the final eligibility decision and may request additional evidence.

How to complete the Maryland home inspector license process

Identify the exact individual and business credential.
Complete the required education and supervised experience.
Obtain approval and pass each required examination.
Submit the application, supporting records and current fee.
Complete insurance, business registration and local permits.
Renew on time and retain the required records.

Keep copies of every experience certificate, examination result, bond or insurance filing and payment receipt. Names and business entities should match across the application and supporting documents.

Important Maryland rules and boundaries

Individual and business credentials may be separate.
A state license does not replace local permits.
Related classifications are not interchangeable.
The responsible authority makes the final eligibility decision.

Maryland may separate the credential held by a worker from the contractor license held by the business, while preserving local authority over permits and inspections. Confirm every applicable layer before bidding, advertising or beginning regulated work.

Maryland home inspector license cost and renewal

Budget separately for applications, examinations, training, fingerprints, insurance, business licensing and local permits.

Renew individual, business and specialty credentials separately and verify current charges before filing.

Government charges are only part of the expected cost. Training, examination preparation, fingerprints, surety premiums, insurance, equipment calibration and local permits can add to the total.

Maryland home inspector license checklist

Confirm that this credential matches the exact work you will perform.
Check whether the applicant is an individual, sole owner or separate business entity.
Collect experience and training records before submitting the application.
Use the current official form and fee schedule.
Complete every required examination or approved certification route.
File bonds, insurance and fingerprints when applicable.
Check county, city, water supplier and building-permit rules.
Save the expiration date and renewal requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Is this credential statewide?

The principal credential is statewide, but county or municipal registration, permits and inspections may still apply.

Is an exam required?

Pass the National Home Inspector Examination.

When does it renew?

Every two years; the first renewal is exempt from the 30-hour continuing-education requirement.

Are local permits separate?

Yes.

Official sources used

Verified licensing details

Jurisdiction: state license, registration or certification plus local permits, depending on scope
Licensing authority: Maryland Commission of Real Estate Appraisers, Appraisal Management Companies and Home Inspectors
Fees: $325 license fee after initial approval, plus course, NHIE, insurance and renewal costs.
Experience: No separate field-hour route is published beyond successful completion of the approved onsite course.
Exams: Pass the National Home Inspector Examination.
Insurance or bond: At least $150,000 general liability insurance, with the individual inspector named.
Continuing education: Complete 72 approved pre-license hours; after the first renewal, complete 30 hours per two-year term, including required topic hours as effective.
Renewal period: Every two years; the first renewal is exempt from the 30-hour continuing-education requirement.

Official sources

Official sources last checked August 26, 2026.

Requirements can change and local rules may apply. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority before paying a fee or beginning work.