---
title: "Washington home inspector license | InspectDay"
description: "Who issues Washington's home inspector license, and what an applicant needs for instruction, field training, the written exam, renewal, and licenses from other jurisdictions."
---

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4. Washington home inspector license

License

# Washington home inspector license

The Department of Licensing issues Washington home inspector licenses after 120 hours of approved instruction, field training, and a written exam with national and state portions.

Washington's license law, regulations and Department of Licensing page, checked on October 9, 2026

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

<dl>

<dt>Who licenses</dt>
<dd>The Department of Licensing.</dd>

<dt>Education</dt>
<dd>120 hours of classroom instruction approved by the board.</dd>

<dt>Field training</dt>
<dd>40 hours of field training supervised by a licensed home inspector, with five actual inspections, under a mentor licensed for at least four years.</dd>

<dt>Exam</dt>
<dd>A written exam with a national portion and a state portion. A minimum scaled score of 70 is required on each portion, and results are valid for one year.</dd>

<dt>Term</dt>
<dd>Two years. The license expires on the second birthday after issue.</dd>

<dt>Renewal</dt>
<dd>At least 24 hours of board-approved instruction every two years.</dd>

<dt>Licensed in another state</dt>
<dd>An out-of-state applicant licensed in good standing and actively practicing as a home inspector for two of the last four years takes the Washington portion of the exam, if that jurisdiction's requirements meet or exceed chapter 18.280 RCW.</dd></dl>

## Sources

- [Washington State Department of Licensing, “Get your license: Home inspectors”](https://dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/home-inspectors/get-your-license-home-inspectors)
- [Washington State Legislature, “Chapter 18.280 RCW”](https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.280)
- [Washington State Legislature, “Chapter 308-408A WAC”](https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=308-408A)

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