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.

6 Steps to a Texas Professional Home Inspector License
1

Complete the Core Inspector Classes at Champions School of Professional Inspection®

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. FREE instructor-led virtual (Zoom) and campus classroom supplemental courses in support of your online self-study.

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 Module
  • 10-Hour Business Operations and Professional Responsibilities Module

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:
$2,999

Please Note - We recommend completing the 110-Hour National courses first, then filing your application with TREC to become eligible for the National portion of the State Exam. However, you may continue on with the State portion of the program and take both the National and State portion of the State Exam at the same time. You cannot take the State portion before the National portion. A Real Estate Inspector must work under a Professional Home Inspector and cannot work on their own.

2

Submit Professional Inspector License Application and Educational Documents to TREC

Once you have completed the 110 hours of National Education hours at Champions, you will need to submit your certificates of completion, Inspector license application, application fee, and if applicable, experience records to the Texas Real Estate Commission.

Go to trec.texas.gov and click on "Become Licensed" then select "Professional Real Estate Inspector" in the dropdown menu.

  • Under "File Your Application" click "Professional Real Estate Inspector License". On the login screen, click "Sign In" and if you're not registered, then click "Create an Account". Once signed in, fill out all required information to set up your account using the same name on your government-issued ID. You will submit an "Application for Inactive Professional Real Estate Inspector."
  • Pay the application fee of $124.00.
  • Upload all your course completion certificates.
  • It may take up to two weeks to receive your approval letter and exam Candidate Handbook from TREC once the application has been filed and all documents have been sent to TREC.
Estimated Time:
8 - 10 Days
Estimated Cost:
$124
3

Take the National/State Exam Prep Course at Champions School of Professional Inspection®

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:
$745 (Included in Package)
4

Get your Fingerprints Taken and Pass a Background Check

You are required by law to have fingerprints (www.trec.texas.gov/fingerprint-requirements) on file with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) so a background check can be performed. Fingerprints from other agencies will not be accepted. The fingerprinting fee is $38.25.

Estimated Time:
7 - 10 Business Days
Estimated Cost:
$38.25 Fingerprinting Fee

Please Note - A license will not be issued if the background check has not been passed or if E+O insurance is not on file. Expect a delay if you are notified of an investigation into your background history.

5

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

The final step in obtaining your license is to pass the State Exam within one year of filing your application. Go to the Prep page to learn all the details about the Professional Inspector National/State Exam. Costs of the exam:

  • National Exam - $199 (Exam fee is due at time of scheduling)
  • State Exam - $55 (Exam fee due at time of scheduling)
Estimated Time:
5 - 7 Days
Estimated Cost:
$199 + $55 (Each Attempt)

Please Note - In order to take the National or State exam, your application must first be approved by the Texas Real Estate Commission. Upon approval, you will receive an Exam Candidate Handbook that will include instructions explaining how to schedule your exam. You cannot take the State portion before the National portion.

Pearson Vue Contact Information: (800) 997-1248 | www.pearsonvue.com/tx/inspectors/

6

Renew Your License Every Two Years by Completing Inspector Continuing Education

Annually complete your Inspector Continuing Education requirement by completing 32 hours of Continuing Education every 2 years (must be different courses). 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. 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
Estimated Time:
Every Two Years
Estimated Cost:
$448

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

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.

110-Hour Professional Inspector Program - National Course Modules

$1699 $2935
SAVE $1236

Program includes:

  • 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 Exam Prep Retakes for 1 Year
  • FREE Printed Textbook Materials
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.

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84-Hour Professional Inspector Program - State Course Modules

$1300 $2889
SAVE $1589

Program includes:

  • 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 Exam Prep Retakes for 1 Year
  • FREE Printed Textbook Materials
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!

Icon - Classroom Delivery Method
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.

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Icon - Online Correspondence Delivery Method
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

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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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