Exam fee · course hours · the bits nobody quotes
What the NHIE and a home inspector licence actually cost
The exam is the cheap part. The number that decides whether this is affordable is your state’s pre-licensing hours, and that one moves by thousands depending on where you live.
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NHIE exam fee | $225 | Per attempt. Same fee on a retake |
| Pre-licensing course | Varies by state, and this is the big one | Florida 120 hours · Illinois 60 classroom + 40 field · Maryland 72 classroom hours. Course prices are set by providers, not by the state |
| General liability insurance | State-set minimums | Maryland mandates $50,000 of cover. Others vary; some require none |
| State application and background check | Set by the state | Separate from the exam fee |
| Official EBPHI study manuals | Sold by EBPHI | Mechanical Systems and NHIE Content Manual and Structural Systems and Business Manual — over 900 pages between them |
| EBPHI practice quizzes | Paid, one attempt each | Whole House 50 questions; HVAC, plumbing, electrical and structural 25 each |
| Duplicate score report | Fee | Available for up to a year |
We have deliberately not printed prices for the EBPHI manuals or quizzes. They sit behind a storefront we could not read, and a stale price is worse than none. Check them at EBPHI.
Is there financial help?
The exam is reimbursable under the GI Bill via VBA form 22-0803-ARE if you are eligible. Worth checking before you pay out of pocket.
Does the fee change by state?
$225 covers most states and Canada. A handful of states run their own vendor arrangements, so confirm with whoever you book through.
Is the free practice test here really free?
Yes, and there is no email form. It is here.
Free on the web · no sign-up to start
Crawlspace Prep is an independent study site. We are not EBPHI, ASHI, InterNACHI or a state board, we do not administer the NHIE, and nothing here licenses anybody. Always check the current rule with your state and with EBPHI.