---
title: "New York home inspector license | InspectDay"
description: "Who licenses New York home inspectors, and what applicants need for education, the national exam, liability coverage, fees and renewal."
---

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3. [Home inspector license by state](/home-inspector-license/)
4. New York home inspector license

License

# New York home inspector license

The New York Department of State licenses home inspectors, and a home inspection for compensation requires a license unless an exception in the law applies.

New York's license law, checked on October 9, 2026

[For new inspectors](/for-new-inspectors/)

<dl>

<dt>Who licenses</dt>
<dd>The New York Department of State. A license lasts two years.</dd>

<dt>Who needs a license</dt>
<dd>Anyone who conducts a home inspection for compensation, or represents that they can. Architects, engineers and code enforcement officials acting within their profession or employment are exempt, and so are people doing inspections to qualify for a license.</dd>

<dt>Education and field inspections</dt>
<dd>High school or its equivalent, and either a course of at least 140 hours approved by the Department, of which at least 40 hours are unpaid field inspections, or at least 100 home inspections performed. Both are done under the direct supervision of a New York licensed home inspector, engineer or architect who takes full responsibility for the inspection and report.</dd>

<dt>National exam</dt>
<dd>The National Home Inspector examination, or an examination the Department offers that meets or exceeds the national standards and covers New York procedures and changes in law, updated each year.</dd>

<dt>Liability coverage</dt>
<dd>Proof of a certificate of liability coverage, filed with the Department. The Department sets its terms and conditions. Cancelling or not renewing it needs ten days' written notice to the Department.</dd>

<dt>Fees</dt>
<dd>$250 for the first application and license, $100 to renew, and a $50 examination fee.</dd>

<dt>Renewal</dt>
<dd>Two years. A renewal requires a continuing education course approved by the Department.</dd>

<dt>Out-of-state applicants</dt>
<dd>A valid license from another state, a U.S. possession or the District of Columbia, with standards the Department finds substantially equivalent, qualifies you on application and payment of the fee.</dd></dl>

## Related

- [National home inspector exam](/national-home-inspector-exam/)

## Sources

- [New York Department of State, “Home Inspector | Department of State”](https://dos.ny.gov/home-inspector)
- [New York State Senate, “Section 444-F - License periods, renewals and fees”](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/RPP/444-F)
- [New York State Senate, “Section 444-D - License requirements for home inspectors”](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/RPP/444-D)
- [New York State Senate, “Section 444-E - Qualifications for licensure”](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/RPP/444-E)
- [New York State Senate, “Section 444-K - Liability coverage”](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/RPP/444-K)

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