Do Home Inspectors Need a License in Texas?

If you're buying or selling a home in Texas, you may be wondering:

Do home inspectors need a license?

The answer is yes. In Texas, home inspectors are required by law to be licensed through the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). This ensures that the person inspecting your home meets state standards for education, experience, and ethics.

At Neptune Inspections, we are fully licensed and operate under the TREC Standards of Practice to provide thorough, professional home inspections you can trust.

Home Inspector Licensing Requirements in Texas

TREC issues three levels of home inspection licenses:

• Apprentice Inspector – Must work under direct supervision of a licensed inspector and cannot perform inspections independently.

• Real Estate Inspector – May perform inspections under indirect supervision.

• Professional Inspector – Fully licensed to conduct home inspections independently.

Neptune Inspections is licensed at the Professional Inspector level, which is the highest level of home inspection licensing in Texas.

How to Become a Licensed Home Inspector in Texas

Getting licensed in Texas involves extensive education and training to ensure inspectors are properly qualified. The requirements include:

• 194 hours of qualifying education

• 40 hours of hands-on field practicum

• Passing the National Home Inspector Exam and a state exam

• Background check and fingerprinting

• Ongoing continuing education every renewal cycle

This process prepares inspectors to evaluate the major systems and components of a home, including:

• Foundation and structural systems

• Electrical systems

• Plumbing and drainage

• Roofing and HVAC

• Built-in appliances

• Safety hazards and visible defects

Why Hiring a Licensed Home Inspector Matters

Choosing a licensed home inspector protects you from potential liability and helps you make informed real estate decisions. A licensed inspector:

• Has completed TREC-approved education and exams

• Must adhere to the Texas Standards of Practice

• Is required to maintain liability insurance

• Is accountable to state regulations and ethical guidelines

• Is trained to identify safety issues, defects, and potential concerns

Unlicensed inspectors may not follow professional standards, and their reports may not be valid in real estate transactions.

Can an Unlicensed Person Perform Home Inspections in Texas?

No. In Texas, it is illegal for anyone to perform a home inspection related to a real estate transaction without a license. You can verify an inspector’s license status through the TREC License Lookup Tool.

Hiring an unlicensed inspector may result in an incomplete or inaccurate report—and can cause legal issues during the buying or selling process.

Why Choose Neptune Inspections for your home inspections?

At Neptune Inspections, we offer:

• TREC-licensed Professional Home Inspections

• Over 30 years of experience in custom home building and remodeling

• New construction – Phase inspections

• Builder warranty inspections

• Pre-listing services

• Drone roof inspections and high-quality visuals when physical access is limited

Add On Services including:

• Water well inspections

• Septic system inspections

• Pool & Spa inspections

• Out buildings / pool house

We understand how important your home is—whether you're buying, selling, or building—and we inspect every property as if it were our own.

Conclusion

So, do home inspectors need a license in Texas?

Absolutely. Texas law requires all home inspectors to be licensed through the Texas Real Estate Commission. This licensing ensures that inspectors meet the necessary standards to evaluate homes safely and professionally.

Always hire a licensed inspector—like Neptune Inspections—to protect your investment and give you peace of mind.

Ready to ensure your home is inspection-ready?

Schedule your inspection today!