Alabama requires the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE). Licensing is handled by the Alabama Division of Construction Management. Pre-licensing education: No separate pre-licensing course is required. Education is combined with inspection experience (see below). Insurance: Required by law (amount set by the state).
Alabama requirements at a glance
| Exam | National Home Inspector Examination (plus the ASHI Standards of Practice) |
|---|---|
| License type | Home inspector |
| Pre-licensing education | No separate pre-licensing course is required. Education is combined with inspection experience (see below). |
| Field training / experience | Either 120 hours of approved education plus participation in 35 home inspections, or 35 hours of approved education plus 100 home inspections. |
| Insurance | Required by law (amount set by the state). |
| Continuing education | Required on an annual renewal cycle; distance education is not accepted for CE. |
Other requirements
- Distance education is not accepted toward the license.
- Alabama's Standards of Practice are adapted from ASHI's.
Who regulates home inspectors in Alabama
Alabama Division of Construction Management
334-242-4802 · [email protected]
How to prepare for the exam in Alabama
The NHIE is 200 multiple-choice questions (175 scored) with a 4-hour limit, and you need a scaled score of 500 to pass. It is weighted 70% Property Inspection, 20% Analysis & Reporting and 10% Professional Responsibilities, so weight your study the same way. Take a diagnostic practice test first, drill your weakest categories, and sit at least one full timed practice exam before test day.
Summarized from the state regulation summary published by the NHIE's exam board, checked October 2026. Licensing rules change, so confirm current requirements with the Alabama Division of Construction Management before you apply.