How to Get a Home Inspector License in Virginia Beach, Virginia

To become a licensed home inspector in Virginia, you must: (1) complete a Board-approved prelicense education course — either 70 hours or 35 hours, (2) perform supervised field inspections — 25 inspections with the 70-hour course or 50 with the 35-hour course, (3) pass the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) with a score of 500 or higher, (4) obtain general liability insurance with at least $250,000 per occurrence, and (5) submit your application with an $80 fee to the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). Since July 1, 2017, Virginia has required mandatory licensure — you cannot legally perform home inspections without a license.

Most people complete the process in 3 to 6 months. The prelicense education (35 or 70 hours) takes 1 to 3 months depending on whether you study full-time or part-time. Completing supervised inspections typically takes another 2 to 4 months, depending on how quickly you can schedule ride-alongs with a licensed inspector. The NHIE exam can usually be scheduled within 2 to 4 weeks, and DPOR application processing takes 10 to 30 business days. If you already have related experience (contractor license, engineering background, etc.), you may qualify for experience points that shorten the supervised inspection requirement.

The total cost ranges from approximately $1,800 to $3,400. This includes prelicense education ($400-$800), the NHIE exam fee ($225), general liability insurance ($500-$1,200/year), the DPOR application fee ($80), and startup equipment and software ($500-$1,500). Ongoing costs include $45 for license renewal every 2 years and 16 hours of continuing education. If you add the NRS specialty for new construction inspections, that costs an additional $80 in application fees and an 8-hour training course.

Partially. Virginia law (18VAC15-40) allows no more than half of your required prelicense hours to be completed through distance or online education. If you take the 70-hour course, a maximum of 35 hours can be online — the remaining 35 must be live classroom or live virtual instruction. If you take the 35-hour course, no more than 17.5 hours can be online. This rule ensures that aspiring inspectors get adequate hands-on and interactive training. Check the DPOR website for approved providers that offer hybrid (online plus live) course formats.

Virginia uses a points-based qualification system requiring 15 total points (minimum 5 from education, minimum 5 from experience). The 70-hour Board-approved prelicense course earns 10 education points and only requires 25 supervised inspections to meet the experience minimum. The 35-hour course earns 5 education points and requires 50 supervised inspections. Most new applicants without prior construction or inspection experience choose the 70-hour course because it significantly reduces the number of supervised inspections needed, saving months of field time.

No. Virginia does not require a college degree to become a licensed home inspector. However, the points-based system does award credit for relevant college coursework. A college-level home inspection course worth 3 or more credit hours earns 5 education points. Related courses in construction, engineering, architecture, or real estate earn 1 to 3 additional points. Even without any college background, you can fully qualify by completing a Board-approved prelicense course and supervised inspections.

The National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) is the Board-approved licensing exam in Virginia. It consists of 200 multiple-choice questions (175 scored, 25 unscored pretest items) and you have 4 hours to complete it. The passing score is 500 on a scale of 200 to 800. The exam covers three domains: property and building inspection/site review, analysis of findings and reporting, and professional responsibilities. The exam fee is $225 per attempt. If you fail, you must wait 30 days before retaking it. To prepare, complete your prelicense coursework thoroughly, take NHIE practice exams available at nationalhomeinspectorexam.org, and focus on understanding building systems rather than memorizing facts.

Possibly. Virginia requires disclosure of all felony convictions and all misdemeanor convictions within the past 3 years (except marijuana-related offenses) on your application. The Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors evaluates criminal history on a case-by-case basis and may deny licensure at its discretion. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you, but serious offenses — especially those involving fraud, theft, or safety violations — may affect your eligibility. If you have concerns, contact the Board directly at (804) 367-8595 or alhi@dpor.virginia.gov before investing in education and exam costs.