Massachusetts requires the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE). Licensing is handled by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Home Inspectors. Pre-licensing education: 75 hours for associate home inspectors; distance education is not accepted. Insurance: Not listed in EBPHI's summary.
Massachusetts requirements at a glance
| Exam | National Home Inspector Examination |
|---|---|
| License type | Associate home inspector, then home inspector |
| Pre-licensing education | 75 hours for associate home inspectors; distance education is not accepted. |
| Field training / experience | Supervised inspections as an associate; to become a full home inspector, at least one year as an associate and 100 documented inspections. |
| Insurance | Not listed in EBPHI's summary. |
| Continuing education | 12 hours per two-year renewal cycle. |
Who regulates home inspectors in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Board of Registration of Home Inspectors
(617) 701-8709 · homeinspectorsboard@mass.gov
How to prepare for the exam in Massachusetts
The NHIE is 200 multiple-choice questions (175 scored) with a 4-hour limit, and you need a scaled score of 500 to pass. It is weighted 70% Property Inspection, 20% Analysis & Reporting and 10% Professional Responsibilities, so weight your study the same way. Take a diagnostic practice test first, drill your weakest categories, and sit at least one full timed practice exam before test day.
Summarized from the state regulation summary published by the NHIE's exam board, checked October 2026. Licensing rules change, so confirm current requirements with the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Home Inspectors before you apply.