How to become a home inspector in Washington
Washington home inspectors are licensed by the Washington State Department of Licensing, Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board. Here is what it takes to work as a licensed home inspector in Washington, from official sources checked November 4, 2026.
Who can become a home inspector in Washington?
- 120-hour board-approved Fundamentals of Home Inspection course
- 40 hours of field training and 5 inspections with a mentor licensed 4+ years
- Pass the state and national exams
- Fingerprint background check
Washington home inspector license requirements
| State license | Yes. Washington licenses home inspectors through the Department of Licensing. |
|---|---|
| Licensed by | Washington State Department of Licensing, Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board |
| License name | Home Inspector |
| Education or training | 120-hour Fundamentals of Home Inspection course plus 40 hours of field training including 5 actual inspections. |
| Exam | Washington home inspector exam with state and national portions, scheduled through DOL's testing vendor. |
| License term | Two years; expires on your birthday. |
| Continuing education | 24 hours of continuing education per renewal. |
How much does it cost?
| First license (application and initial license) | $720 |
|---|---|
| Examination | $300 |
| State portion re-exam | $125 |
| National portion re-exam | $250 |
| License renewal | $415 |
| License print fee | $5 |
Fees as listed by the state. Schools, courses, exam prep, insurance and equipment cost extra and vary by provider.
Steps to become a home inspector in Washington
- Take the 120-hour approved course
- Complete 40 hours of field training and 5 inspections with a mentor
- Submit the exam application
- Pass the state and national exam ($300)
- Apply for the license ($720) with exam results
- Renew every two years with 24 CE hours
Apply on the official Washington site
How do you check a home inspector's license in Washington?
- Search the name or license number on the official Washington home inspector license lookup.
- Check that the status is active and the name matches the person or company you're hiring.
- Ask how long they've been licensed and whether any complaints or discipline are on record.