Step 1: Complete the Alaska Home Inspection Course from Main St Success.

The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development’s Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing requires a license to work as a home inspector, and choosing the right training will set you apart and build your brand as a reputable inspector. The recommended Alaska-approved home inspection course, including ebooks, aligns with topics on the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE).

Step 2: Take the Required Exams

Alaska has a unique approach to home inspection certification in the sense that you can apply to inspect New Homes or Existing Homes — or you can apply for a “Joint Registration”, which allows you to inspect both. To apply for Existing Homes only, you must pass the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE), which is offered by the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors. If you want to apply for New Homes or Joint Registration, there are four National Examinations through the International Code Council (ICC) that are required:

• Residential Building Inspector
• Residential Electrical Inspector
• Residential Mechanical Inspector
• Residential Plumbing Inspector

Step 3: Provide Proof of Insurance and Surety

To be a licensed Alaska home inspector, you must obtain bodily injury and property damage liability insurance covering your home inspection operations in the sum of not less than $20,000 for damage to property; $50,000 for injury, including death, to any one person; $100,000 for injury or damage, including death, to more than one person. You must also obtain a surety bond of $10,000.

Step 4: Pay the $350 Application Fee and Submit a Notarized Application

To complete an application, you must pay the nonrefundable application fee ($100) and the registration fee ($250). Fees are made payable to “State of Alaska.” You must also include the required documentation, including the application, application fees, an authorization for the release of records, and your final exam scores.

In accordance with the state, all home inspectors must also obtain an Alaska Business License.