States

How to become a
home inspector in Alabama


Last Updated: August 28, 2023

At InspectorPro Insurance, our team understands risk. We know that joining the industry has its challenges. Simultaneously, home inspectors across the country have shared conversations about how rewarding the job can be. So, if you’re looking for resources to guide you in acquiring your Alabama home inspector license or meeting Alabama home inspector insurance requirements, we’re here to help.

Read on for answers to common questions about inspecting homes in Alabama.

Learn how to become a home inspector in Alabama, and a city like Birmingham, as depicted in this tall, white, historical building amid other city buildings.

What Alabama home inspector requirements are there?

General

In your state, home inspections are regulated by the Alabama Department of Finance Division of Construction Management. To start the process of obtaining your Alabama home inspector license, you’ll first need to visit the home inspectors’ division here. This page houses the license applications you’ll need, including the new home inspector application, new EIFS inspector application, and renewals for both. 

As listed under the new inspector’s application, one of the following must apply to you:

  1. Professional membership in an industry organization such as the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), the National Institute of Building Inspectors (NIBI), and more. Review the app for the full list. Note that the Alabama Home Inspector Organization (AHIO), a state nonprofit, is not an organization like ASHI or InterNACHI. AHIO did, however, combine efforts between its chapters, ASHI, and InterNACHI back in 2018 to provide education and promote excellence across Alabama’s home inspectors. Visit AHIO’s website to learn about membership.
  2. Certification or approval from the Southern Building Code Congress International (ICC), U.S. Veterans Administration, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Council of American Building Officials, or International Code Council (ICC).
  3. On or after 1/1/98, Alabama licensure for general contractor, registered professional engineer, registered professional architect, or residential home builder.
  4. OR, a high school diploma or GED.

Education and Training

Next, you must demonstrate that you’re up to par on your education and experience. You have two options:

  1. Finish 120 hours of state-approved education and participate in 35 home inspections.
  2. OR, finish at least 35 hours of state-approved education and participate in 100 home inspections. 

You’ll also need to pass the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) and the ASHI Standards and Ethics Examination. Alternatively, if you’re an InterNACHI member, the organization suggests contacting the state of Alabama for their equivalent exams. 

Most importantly, be sure to pass both qualifying exams within 18 months. You will not be approved for your Alabama home inspector license otherwise.

Report Writing

After that, per Alabama’s home inspector requirements, write 25 inspection reports. Take 10 of those reports and ask a home inspector with five years of experience to review and correct them. Once you’ve finished the reports, it’s time to invest in your insurance.

How can I meet Alabama’s home inspector insurance requirements?

E&O and GL Insurance for Alabama Home Inspectors

To become a licensed home inspector in Alabama, get a certificate of insurance with proof of the following minimum coverage:

  1. $20,000 for injuries or property damage, also known as general liability (GL) insurance
  2. $50,000 for GL, including death to any one person
  3. $100,000 for GL, including death to more than one person
  4. $250,000 for errors and omissions (E&O) insurance.

Without proof of E&O and GL coverage, you will not receive a home inspector license for Alabama.

Workers’ Compensation

Per Alabama’s Workers’ Compensation Law, you may need to acquire workers’ compensation after hiring employees. Review this law as you expand your business to ensure continued compliance.

Are you ready to become a home inspector in Alabama?

Fill out your application, pay any necessary fees, and send all required materials to Alabama’s Department of Finance Division of Construction Management. After that, you should be on your way to inspecting homes!

How can I maintain my home inspector license in Alabama?

Since 2021, Alabama’s home inspector license requirements have included 15 continuing education (CE) hours. Your license will renew annually. Thankfully, CE distance education is allowed in Alabama.

Have questions?

We hope our overview helped you feel prepared about becoming an Alabama home inspector. If you have any additional questions about how to become a home inspector in Alabama, our team would love to help! 

We hope our overview helped answer your preliminary questions about how to become a home inspector in Texas. Have additional queries about insurance for Texas home inspectors? Call to have a conversation with one of our licensed brokers. Call to get in touch with one of our experienced and licensed brokers.

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