Ohio requires the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE). Licensing is handled by the Ohio Home Inspector Board (Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing). Pre-licensing education: 80 hours of inspector qualifying education from an approved provider. Insurance: Comprehensive or commercial general liability insurance of at least $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate.
Ohio requirements at a glance
| Exam | National Home Inspector Examination (passed within the two years before you apply) |
|---|---|
| License type | Home inspector |
| Pre-licensing education | 80 hours of inspector qualifying education from an approved provider. |
| Field training / experience | Within the 12 months before applying, one of: 10 parallel inspections under a licensed Ohio inspector, 40 hours of home inspection work plus 1 peer review, or an approved interactive experience curriculum plus 1 peer review. |
| Insurance | Comprehensive or commercial general liability insurance of at least $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate. |
| Continuing education | 14 hours per year (42 hours per three-year license term). |
Other requirements
- At least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED.
- State and FBI background check with electronic fingerprinting within 10 days of applying.
- Anyone performing paid home inspections must be licensed (since July 1, 2020).
Who regulates home inspectors in Ohio
Ohio Home Inspector Board (Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing)
614-466-4100 · Official website
How to prepare for the exam in Ohio
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 InterNACHI's state licensing guide, checked October 2026. Licensing rules change, so confirm current requirements with the Ohio Home Inspector Board (Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing) before you apply.