Official-source review: August 27, 2026
Virginia home inspector license: Virginia requires an individual home inspector license. Under the rules effective October 1, 2025, applicants pass the National Home Inspector Examination and document at least 15 qualifying points, including a minimum of five education points and five experience points. The New Residential Structure specialty is separate.
What the Virginia home inspector license covers
Virginia requires an individual home inspector license. Under the rules effective October 1, 2025, applicants pass the National Home Inspector Examination and document at least 15 qualifying points, including a minimum of five education points and five experience points. The New Residential Structure specialty is separate.
- Paid residential home inspections and written reports under Virginia standards of practice.
- Work only within the issued classification.
- Obtain all local permits and inspections.
Compare related occupations and states in the License Finder.
Virginia home inspector license requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Current rule or route |
|---|---|
| Route | DPOR individual Home Inspector license based on the NHIE and at least 15 qualifying education-and-experience points |
| Eligibility | At least 15 qualifying education-and-experience points, including a minimum of five points from each category, with experience verified under the current rule. |
| Exam | Pass the National Home Inspector Examination. |
| Fees | $80 initial home inspector application; NHIE, education, insurance and NRS charges are separate. Renewal is $45 without NRS or $90 with NRS. |
| Bond or insurance | Maintain the liability insurance required by 18VAC15-40-30 and submit proof with initial and renewal applications. |
| Renewal | Two years from the last day of the issue month. |
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 Virginia home inspector license process
- Identify the exact individual and contractor-business credential.
- Complete the published education and experience route.
- Pass every required examination.
- Submit the application, verification and fees.
- Complete business, insurance and project-permit filings.
- Renew on time and retain 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 Virginia rules and boundaries
- The 15-point framework replaced the older fixed-hour application routes.
- The NRS specialty is separate from the base license.
- A home inspector license does not authorize engineering, pest control or repairs.
- Inspection agreements and reports must follow Virginia standards.
Virginia 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.
Virginia home inspector license cost and renewal
Budget separately for applications, examinations, education, contractor licensing, insurance and project permits.
Renew each individual, business and specialty credential separately and verify current fees 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.
Virginia 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?
Yes for the state credential described, but contractor-business licensing, local permits and inspections remain separate.
Is an exam required?
Pass the National Home Inspector Examination.
When does it renew?
Two years from the last day of the issue month.
Are local approvals separate?
Yes.
Official sources used
Verified licensing details
- Licensing authority
- Virginia Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors
- Fees
- $80 initial home inspector application; NHIE, education, insurance and NRS charges are separate. Renewal is $45 without NRS or $90 with NRS.
- Experience
- At least 15 qualifying education-and-experience points, including a minimum of five points from each category, with experience verified under the current rule.
- Exams
- Pass the National Home Inspector Examination.
- Insurance or bond
- Maintain the liability insurance required by 18VAC15-40-30 and submit proof with initial and renewal applications.
- Continuing education
- Complete 16 contact hours of continuing professional education per two-year cycle; NRS holders also complete the current Board-approved NRS update course when required.
- Renewal period
- Two years from the last day of the issue month.
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.