How to Become a Licensed Home Inspector in Alabama


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. 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.aspxand their 2021 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. The state, unfortunately, 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 that are all provided by internachi.edu. 
    3. Draft 25 home inspection reports. 10 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 10 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.



Residential New Construction Inspector (Optional)

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

To become an EIFS Inspector in Alabama, 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. If you don't desire this designation, but you want to be competent 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." 

Become an InterNACHI Certified Stucco/EIFS Inspector (free & online to members). Watch this short tips video on inspecting stucco and EIFS. 

 



To Renew Your Home Inspector License in Alabama

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.

Join InterNACHI®




InterNACHI® School

InterNACHI® School (internachi.edu) is the only home inspector college accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. All training, exams, and Continuing Education are free for members. Join InterNACHI® today.

Get Trained



 

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.




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®. 

Visit the House of Horrors®




Contact Other Members in AL

Network with hundreds of InterNACHI® certified inspectors in Alabama.




Join AL Home Inspector Chapters




InterNACHI® Mentors

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 (online & free) 

     
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 (online and free)


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." 

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




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 (free & online for members)


 

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. 





Inspection Business Resources  (free & online for members)

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. 

Get Free Marketing Design Services




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. 

Order Free Marketing Cards




15 Steps to Become a Successful Home Inspector

InterNACHI provides everything you need to be successful. 

Check Out the 15 Steps




Membership Benefits (free for members)

 

InterNACHI provides over $75,000 worth of benefits to its members at no cost at nachi.org/benefits.

Get the Benefits




How to Join InterNACHI®




Archived Documents:

Alabama Approves InterNACHI Free Online InterNACHI Education Courses.pdf March 30, 2020.




Inspector Licensing in Other Regions

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