How to Get a
Texas Home Inspector License

Everything You Need to Know to Meet the Texas Home Inspector License Requirements!

Champions School of Real Estate® is here to guide you on your path to a Texas Professional Home Inspector license! Below are the six steps you will need to complete in order to earn your license and start your new career. If you have any additional questions, please contact a Career Counselor at your nearest campus.

The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) issues three levels of inspector licenses: Apprentice Inspector, Real Estate Inspector, and Professional Real Estate Inspector. Information about requirements for the Apprentice and Real Estate Inspector can be found on the TREC website's Inspector licensing page.

Basic Requirements to Apply for a Texas Inspector License

  • Citizen of the United States or lawfully admitted alien
  • 18 years of age or older
  • Meet TREC's qualifications for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity (TREC recommends submitting an optional 'Fitness Determination' form)

You Can Do It! We Can Help!

Step 1:

Complete Education Requirements

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Step 2:

Submit Online Application to TREC

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Step 3:

Take Exam Prep Class and Practice Exams

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Step 4:

Get fingerprints taken and pass background check

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Step 5:

Schedule State Exam with Pearson Vue

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Step 6:

Complete annual Continuing Education (CE)

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Step 1: Complete the Professional Home Inspector or the Real Estate Inspector Qualifying Education Classes at Champions School of Real Estate®

Please Note - A Real Estate Inspector must work under a Professional Home Inspector and cannot work on their own.

194 Education hours are required to become a Professional Home Inspector. These hours are broken down into the National and State portions of the course.

110 National education hours including the following:

  • 40-Hour Property and Building Inspection Module I
  • 40-Hour Property and Building Inspection Module II
  • 20-Hour Analysis of Findings and Reporting
  • 10-Hour Business Operations and Professional Responsibilities Module

Please Note - After completing the above 110-Hour national courses, you may file your application with TREC to become eligible for taking the national portion of the state exam or you can continue on with taking the state portion of the course and take both the national and state portion of the state exam at the same time. You cannot take the State portion of the state exam before the National portion.

84 State education hours including the following:

  • 40-Hour Texas Practicum (Ride Along)
  • 24-Hour Texas Standards of Practice Module
  • 20-Hour Texas Law Module

154 Education hours are required to become a Real Estate Inspector. These hours are broken down into the National and State portions of the course.

90 National education hours including the following:

  • 40-Hour Property and Building Inspection Module I
  • 40-Hour Property and Building Inspection Module II
  • 10-Hour Business Operations and Professional Responsibilities Module

64 State education hours including the following:

  • 40-Hour Texas Practicum (Ride Along)
  • 24-Hour Texas Standards of Practice Module
Estimated Time:
3 - 6 Months
Estimated Cost:
$2999
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Icon - Home Inspector TREC License Application

Step 2: Submit Professional Inspector License Application and Educational Documents to TREC

Once you have completed your courses at Champions, you will now need to submit your certificates of completion, Inspector license application, application fee, and if applicable, experience records to the Texas Real Estate Commission by mail.

You can mail your documentation to:

Texas Real Estate Commission
PO Box 12188
Austin, Texas 78711-2188

The application fee for a Professional Inspector license is $120 and should be paid by cashiers check, personal check, or money order payable to the Texas Real Estate Commission.

Estimated Time:
8 - 10 Days
Estimated Cost:
$120
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Step 3: Take the National/State Exam Prep Course at Champions School of Real Estate®

While waiting for your education to be evaluated and the application to be approved, our exam prep course is the perfect tool to keep your knowledge fresh and help you prepare for the exam. You may retake the course as many times as you want for one year at no additional charge!

Estimated Time:
3 Days
Estimated Cost:
$695 (Included in Package)
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Icon - Fingerprints

Step 4: Get your Fingerprints Taken and Pass a Background Check

  • You are required by law to have fingerprints on file with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) so a background check can be performed. Fingerprints on file for other agencies will not be accepted.
  • A license will not issue if the background check has not been passed. Expect a delay if you are notified of an investigation into your background history.
Estimated Time:
7 - 10 Business Days
Estimated Cost:
$38.25 Fingerprinting Fee
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Icon - Pearson Vue

Step 5: Pass the National/State Exam within One Year of Filing Application with TREC

The final step in attaining your license is to pass the state exam within one year of filing your application. Below is everything you need to know about the Professional Inspector National/State Exam:

  • $199 exam fee due at time of scheduling
  • 285 minutes (4.75 hours), 200 National Questions and 30 State Questions (each exam includes 5 pretest questions that do not affect a candidate's score), Multiple choice
  • Passing scores:
    • Professional Inspectors must get 130 questions correct on the national examination and 19 questions correct on the state examination.
    • Real Estate Inspectors must get 130 questions correct on the national examination and 18 questions correct on the state examination.
  • May take 3 times prior to the application expiration date (1 year).
  • No required waiting time between test attempts

In order to take the state exam, your application must first be approved by the Texas Real Estate Commission. Upon approval, you will receive an eligibility letter with instructions on how to access the Exam Candidate Handbook and schedule your exam. Once you have the handbook, contact Pearson Vue to schedule a date and time for your exam:

Pearson Vue Contact Information:

Please Note - If you fail the exam three times, you will be required to take additional education before you can retake the exam. Upon passing the National/State Exam, we recommend you take the Continuing Education course, Inspector Legal & Ethics and SOP Review (9/1/21 - 8/31/23).

Estimated Time:
5 - 7 Days
Estimated Cost:
$199 (Each Attempt)
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Icon - Home inspectio Continuing Education (CE)

Step 6: Renew Your License Every Two Years by Completing Inspector Continuing Education

Complete your Inspector Continuing Education requirement by completing 32-Hours of Continuing Education every 2 years (no more than 16 CE hours of credit for any one subject). We recommend that you take your education from Champions School of Real Estate® and submit your renewal application and pay the renewal fee to TREC (Fee schedule below). The 32 hours of continuing education must include 4 hours of Inspector Legal & Ethics and 4 hours of Standards of Practice Review.

Inspector Renewal Fee Schedule: (Learn More)

  • Apprentice Inspector - $32
  • Real Estate Inspector - $53
  • Professional Inspector - $63

Please Note: To expedite processing, renew online and email your course completion certificates to TREC at documents@trec.texas.gov. More information is available on www.trec.texas.gov

Estimated Time:
Every Two Years
Estimated Cost:
$448
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Professional Inspector Qualifying Education Program

To become a licensed 'Professional Inspector' in the state of Texas, applicants are required to complete a total of 194-hours of Qualifying Education (QE). The program is split into a National and State portion that can be purchased one at a time. The National portion must be completed before progressing to the state portion. The program includes Exam Prep and all required textbook materials needed to complete the online courses.

First Half of Professional Inspector Program

110-Hour Professional Inspector Program - National Course Modules

$1699$2935
SAVE $1236

Courses Included in this Package:

  • 40-Hour Property and Building Inspection Module 1 (Online)
  • 40-Hour Property and Building Inspection Module 2 (Online)
  • 20-Hour Analysis of Findings and Reporting Module (Online)
  • 10-Hour Business Operations and Professional Responsibilities Module (Online)
  • Inspector Exam Prep Course (Not for Credit)

Additional Details:

  • FREE Instructor-led Virtual (via Zoom) and Classroom Supplemental Courses in Support of your Online Self-study
  • FREE Exam Prep Retakes for 1 Year
  • FREE Printed Textbook Materials
  • FREE Exam Proctoring
This program includes the National Portion ONLY. To complete the program and earn your Professional Inspector license, you will need to purchase the 84-hour Program with State Course Modules after passing the National Exam.
Add to Cart
$1699
Second Half of Professional Inspector Program

84-Hour Professional Inspector Program - State Course Modules

$1300$2340
SAVE $1040

Courses Included in this Package:

  • 20-Hour Texas Law Module (Online)
  • 24-Hour Texas Standards of Practice Module (Online)
  • 40-Hour Texas Practicum (On-Site Inspections)
  • Inspector Exam Prep Course (Not for Credit)

Additional Details:

  • FREE Instructor-led Virtual (via Zoom) and Classroom Supplemental Courses in Support of your Online Self-study
  • FREE Exam Prep Retakes for 1 Year
  • FREE Printed Textbook Materials
  • FREE Exam Proctoring
This program includes the State Portion ONLY. This must be completed AFTER the National Portion.

Set Your Home Inspector License Education Course Schedule.
Classroom, Online, or in the Virtual Classroom!

Classroom

Students who thrive on conventional, live instruction will enjoy this method! Unlike blended classroom courses, these require in-person attendance, at a Champions campus, for all course hours.

Virtual Classroom

Attend live classes from the comfort of your home! Our ChampionsLive virtual classrooms are perfect for students who prefer at-home learning, but also want live instruction.

Online Correspondence

Do you learn best at your own pace? Through this delivery method, you get the textbook and teach yourself. Then, when you’re ready, take the test either online or at a Champions campus!

Sample Course

Please Note - This method is only available for real estate QE/SAE/CE and some home inspection courses.

Helpful Links

Contact a Campus to Enroll

Austin  -  
512-244-3545
Dallas  -  
972-867-4100
Fort Worth  -  
214-687-0000
Houston Galleria  -  
713-629-4543
Houston North  -  
281-893-4484
San Antonio  -  
210-349-7600
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