How to Become a Licensed Home Inspector in Illinois
InterNACHI’s Illinois Home Inspector Pre-Licensing Program
Welcome to the Illinois Home Inspector Pre-Licensure Program overview. Illinois requires individuals who wish to perform home inspections to hold a valid license issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Before beginning any pre-licensing training, you should familiarize yourself with the IDFPR website and the requirements for submitting a license application. You may find details at:
https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/homeinspect.html
To Become a Licensed Home Inspector in Illinois, You Must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Complete 60 hours of IDFPR-approved pre-licensing education from an approved home inspector education provider. InterNACHI® is a state-approved education provider.
- Perform five (5) field inspection events under the direct supervision of a licensed Illinois home inspector as part of the required experience for licensure. Use our recommended Field Instructor list.
- Complete and pass a Field Exam with at least a 70% grade after the 5 field inspections have been completed. Field Exams must include a draft or mock inspection report.
- Have your field instructor send the InterNACHI documentation of the 5 inspection events, draft or mock inspection report, & your field exam grade to [email protected]. Forms are provided by InterNACHI.
- Pass the Illinois Home Inspector Examination, which includes the National Home Inspector Examination and may include Illinois-specific statute/regulation content, as prescribed by IDFPR.
- Maintain general liability insurance in an amount of at least $100,000 as required under the Illinois Home Inspector License Act. InterNACHI members do receive a discount on insurance, and you can get a quote at nachi.org/insurance
- Submit a completed home inspector license application and pay the required fee to the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation.
77-Hour IDFPR-Approved Program
View our program's current approval on the state website HERE.
You may complete the courses below in any order.
Once you've completed the program in full, ensure your field instructor has emailed the required documentation to [email protected]. If all is in order, you will receive your transcript necessary to apply for a state license within 5 business days.
Once you've completed the courses and all requirements in full, you will be able to download your certificate of completion.
| Requirement |
|---|
| Appliance Inspection for Home Inspectors |
| How to Inspect Fireplaces, Stoves, and Chimneys |
| How to Inspect HVAC Systems |
| How to Inspect the Attic, Insulation, Ventilation & Interior |
| How to Inspect the Exterior |
| How to Perform Residential Electrical Inspections |
| How to Perform Roof Inspections |
| Illinois Standards of Practice and Legal Issues for Home Inspectors |
| Residential Plumbing Overview for Inspectors |
| Structural Issues for Home Inspectors |
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Pre-Licensing: Illinois Five Field Inspection Events
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Pre-Licensing: Illinois Field Exam
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After You’re Licensed — Keep It Active
Licensed home inspectors are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education every two years by November 30 to renew a license. Some licensee maybe exempt by board rule based on how close the initial license was to expiration. Continuing education must include mandatory courses as determined by IDFPR rules and may include specified topics such as Illinois law, standards, or professional ethics as prescribed by the board. InterNACHI provides state-approved CE.
Illinois home inspector licenses expire every two years on November 30.
You must retain proof of CE completion for your renewal cycle. InterNACHI® Certificates of Completion are available via the InterNACHI® dashboard FOREVER.
Need assistance with your pre-licensing or continuing education requirements? Contact our education team at [email protected].
