| The information contained below is designed to provide a summary of the minimum education, experience and examination requirements established by the Office of Alabama Building Commission (Building Commission). For more detailed information, please contact the Building Commission. Graduation of AREA’s course is recognized for a free 1 year membership in the International Association of Home Inspectors (NACHI) obtaining full benefits, and discounted membership in the Housing Inspection Foundation (HIF) . |
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File an accurate, complete, timely, and notarized application  for license with the Director, along with the appropriate fee of $300.00 (cash, personal and company checks are not accepted.) |
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Obtain bodily injury and property damage liability insurance covering the applicant’s home inspection operations in the sum of not less than $20,000 for injury or damage to property; $50,000 for injury or damage, including death, to any one person; $100,000 for injury or damage, including death, to more than one person; and $250,000 of errors and omissions coverage. Forms provided by the insurance company should be submitted with your application. |
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Provide evidence of one of the following professional qualifications (Catagory A-C): |
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Catagory A: Membership in and adherence to the ethical standards of one of the following professional bodies at the time of the application: |
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-American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) |
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-Housing Inspection Foundation (The Association of Home Inspectors) |
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-Home Inspection Institute |
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-National Association of Home Inspectors, Inc. |
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-National Institute of Building Inspectors (NIBI) |
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-American Inspectors Society |
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-Home Inspection Institute of America |
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-Inspection Depot |
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-Advantage Systems ASP, LLC |
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-Inspection Technology Institute |
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-International Society of Home Inspectors |
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-National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) - interim basis membership - contact building commission for details |
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Catagory B: Approval or certification by one of the following agencies to inspect residential construction: The United States Veterans Administration, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Southern Building Code Congress International, or the Council of American Building Officials. |
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Catagory C: Have an Alabama licensure on or after January 1, 1998, as a general contractor, registered professional architect, registered professional engineer, or residential home builder. (Renewals of home inspector licensure previously supported by evidence of an acceptable professional license shall not require the applicant to repeat proof of such professional licensing.) |
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Have a high school diploma or its equivalent. |
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Complete a written examination demonstrating to the Building Commission that the applicant possesses an appropriate understanding of the Standards of Practice and the Code of Ethics promulgated by the Building Commission and a written examination demonstrating adequate knowledge of performing home inspections. |
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The written examination for Home Inspectors to demonstrate appropriate understanding of the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics will be the American Society of Home Inspectors Standards and Ethics Examination. The exam can be taken online at www.CATGlobal.com or you may call PearsonVue, Inc. at 1-800-274-8359, for testing sites, dates, and time
The written examination demonstrating adequate knowledge of performing home inspections will be the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors, National Home Inspectors Examination. Online registration may be done at www.CATGlobal.com or you may call 1-877-543-5222, PearsonVue. For information pertaining to the testing material of the National Home Inspector Examination please visit, www.homeinspectionexam.org or you may call 1-847-298-7750.
Applicants shall pay any and all fees associated with testing directly to the organizations conducting the testing. Applicants must present with their application, original or duplicate test score reports demonstrating that the applicant has passed both tests within ninety (90) days of submitting the application. |
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Applicants must complete 8 hrs of aceptable continuing education during the two year cycle. Licenses must be renewed 60 days before December 31st. Errors and Omissions insurance and a written examination will be required for renewal. |
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