---
title: "Tennessee home inspector license | InspectDay"
description: "Who issues Tennessee's home inspector license, and what an applicant needs for education, the National Home Inspector Examination, insurance, out-of-state licenses and renewal."
---

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License

# Tennessee home inspector license

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance licenses home inspectors after 90 hours of approved education, the National Home Inspector Examination, and general liability insurance of at least $500,000.

Tennessee's license law and rules, checked on October 9, 2026

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

<dl>

<dt>Who licenses</dt>
<dd>The Home Inspector Licensing Program of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.</dd>

<dt>Who can apply</dt>
<dd>At least 18 years old, with a high school diploma or equivalent, no disqualifying felony conviction, and no disciplinary action by another state or a local jurisdiction for home inspection work.</dd>

<dt>Education</dt>
<dd>90 hours of commissioner-approved training on home inspections and the preparation of home inspection reports.</dd>

<dt>National exam</dt>
<dd>The state-selected National Home Inspector Examination. Scores are valid for five years.</dd>

<dt>Insurance</dt>
<dd>General liability insurance of at least $500,000, and errors and omissions insurance, with proof in the standard Accord format.</dd>

<dt>Out-of-state applicants</dt>
<dd>Under rule 0780-05-12-.04(3), the commissioner may grant a license to an individual who holds a like, unexpired license in good standing from another state whose requirements are at least equivalent to Tennessee's. The applicant provides a letter of good standing from the state licensing agency; proof of 90 hours of qualifying education or 32 hours of continuing education; proof of passage of the state-selected National Home Inspector Examination; and insurance of $500,000 general liability plus errors and omissions.</dd>

<dt>Temporary practice permit</dt>
<dd>Up to six months, to complete specific education or examination requirements, for an applicant whose home state is not considered substantially equivalent for reciprocity and whose spouse is an active member of the armed forces who is subject to a military transfer to Tennessee. The permit cannot be renewed.</dd>

<dt>Renewal</dt>
<dd>A license expires two years after issue.</dd>

<dt>Continuing education</dt>
<dd>Thirty-two hours of commissioner-approved continuing education for each active renewal.</dd>

<dt>Late renewal</dt>
<dd>Renew within 60 days after expiry, with a $25 late penalty and a further $25 for each month or part month late. After 60 days, the applicant applies again, with 32 hours of commissioner-approved continuing education completed in the previous two years.</dd></dl>

## Related

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

## Sources

- [Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, “Home Inspector”](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/homeinsp/license/get/home-inspector.html)
- [Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, “CHAPTER 0780-05-12 HOME INSPECTORS”](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0780/0780-05/0780-05-12.20260122.pdf)
- [Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, “Renewal, Reinstatement, & Other Resources”](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/homeinsp/license/renewal.html)

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