Oregon Home Inspector License Requirements (2026)

Regulatory Body

Authority over this credential rests with Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB), which issues and polices it under ORS 701.445; OAR Chapter 812, Division 8. State agency that certifies individual home inspectors (Oregon Certified Home Inspector) and licenses the contracting businesses through which home inspections must be performed.

• Official portal: https://www.oregon.gov/ccb/

Eligibility Requirements

This guide does not establish a minimum applicant age; confirm any age requirement with the issuing authority. Check the current application for identification and tax-number requirements. Oregon does not publish a state residency requirement for the OCHI credential; out-of-state applicants must meet the same point, examination, and business-affiliation requirements.

Good moral character

No explicit good-moral-character standard is set out in ORS 701.445 or the OAR 812 Division 8 rules reviewed.

Background investigation

A criminal background check requirement could not be confirmed in ORS 701.445 or the OAR 812 Division 8 rules reviewed; the applicant should confirm current screening requirements with the CCB before filing.

Experience and Education

The cited source set does not publish a fixed year-based experience threshold for this credential. The controlling requirement is At least 20 qualifying eligibility points. The current CCB application awards points for approved-provider coursework (at least three hours), a three-credit accredited college or university home-inspection course, supervised ride-alongs with an Oregon Certified Home Inspector, inspection or construction-industry experience, recommendations from Oregon Certified Home Inspectors, and government-issued building-code certifications. There is no single mandated classroom-hour number; certification is gated on documenting at least 20 points..

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

• Oregon Certified Home Inspector Certification Application documenting claimed eligibility points
• Evidence of passing the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE)
• Documentation of education, work experience, supervised ride-along inspections, recommendations, or code certifications supporting the point total

Education substitution

The point system is flexible: education, ride-alongs, relevant work experience, recommendations, and government building-code certifications can contribute toward the 20-point threshold. No single qualifying category is mandatory.

Exam Requirements

PSI administers the required examination. Each part below must be passed before the license will issue:

• National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) — 200 questions, 240 minutes, passing score: confirm in the current candidate bulletin

Examination fee: $225

Retake policy: The record does not specify Oregon-specific NHIE retake rules; retakes are administered by PSI under the National Home Inspector Examination program. The applicant should confirm current retake policy and any waiting period with PSI.

Insurance and Bonds

For this credential the financial-responsibility question is one of professional liability coverage, not a contractor surety bond. The state-specific position is detailed below.

General liability

The individual OCHI certificate has no separate bond or insurance requirement. The affiliated CCB-licensed business must meet the requirements of its endorsement. For an inspection-only Home Inspector Services Contractor endorsement, CCB currently requires a $15,000 surety bond and $100,000 per-occurrence general liability insurance; residential general and specialty endorsements have different requirements.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation obligations, where they apply, attach to the CCB-licensed contracting business that employs the inspector rather than to the individual certificate.

Additional financial requirements

Not required for the individual OCHI certificate.

Fee Schedule

To turn these board fees into a realistic year-one budget — bond premium, liability insurance, and exam prep included — open the cost calculator preloaded for Oregon home inspector.

Renewal and Continuing Education

The Oregon Certified Home Inspector (OCHI) runs on a 2 years renewal cycle. The current renewal fee is $150. Renewal requires a completed renewal application, the renewal fee, and proof of at least 30 CEUs in approved subject areas from CCB-approved providers. A waiver of the CE requirement may apply for those who served on active duty in the U.S. armed forces during the two-year period preceding expiration.

Continuing education: At least 30 continuing education units (CEUs) completed during the two years immediately preceding the certificate's expiration date (OAR 812-008-0070), from CCB-approved providers and sources.

Reciprocity

Whether Oregon recognizes a home inspector licensed elsewhere — and on what terms — is detailed below.

CCB's current OCHI materials require the Oregon application, documentation of at least 20 qualifying points, proof of passing the NHIE, and association with an active CCB license. The materials do not offer automatic conversion of another state's home-inspector license. The CCB application notes that the national exam may be transferable to other states; applicants should ask CCB how it will evaluate their specific prior examination and experience.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Home Inspector license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

Home Inspector Licensing in Neighboring States

Contractors working near a state line, or weighing where to qualify first, should compare Oregon's requirements against the bordering jurisdictions before committing to an application:

• California Home Inspector License Requirements — No statewide home inspector license or registration
• Idaho Home Inspector License Requirements — No statewide home inspector license
• Nevada Home Inspector License Requirements — Inspector of Structures (IOS) Certificate — Certified Residential Inspector, Certified General Inspector, or Certified Master Inspector
• Washington Home Inspector License Requirements — Home Inspector License

Step-by-Step Application Roadmap

1. Establish or join a CCB-licensed contracting business. ORS 701.445 requires a certified inspector to be an owner of, or employed by, a CCB-licensed business. CCB lists residential general contractor, residential specialty contractor, and home inspector services contractor endorsements for this purpose. Secure this affiliation, which carries its own CCB bonding and general liability insurance requirements at the business level.
2. Accumulate at least 20 eligibility points. Document the required 20 qualifying points through the current CCB application. Its listed options include approved-provider courses, a qualifying accredited home-inspection course, supervised ride-alongs, inspection or construction-industry experience, recommendations, and government building-code certifications.
3. Pass the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE). Register with PSI and pass the 200-question, four-hour NHIE. The $225 PSI exam fee is paid directly to PSI and is distinct from any state testing fee.
4. Submit the OCHI certification application and fee. File the Oregon Certified Home Inspector Certification Application with the CCB, including evidence of passing the NHIE, documentation of the 20 eligibility points, and the $150 certificate fee (two-year term).
5. Maintain the affiliated CCB contractor business license. Keep the underlying CCB contractor business license active and in good standing; CCB's current schedule lists a $400 two-year initial application and renewal fee, separate from the individual certificate.
6. Complete continuing education and renew every two years. Complete at least 30 continuing education units from CCB-approved providers during the two years before expiration (OAR 812-008-0070) and submit the renewal application with the $150 renewal fee.

Application Checklist

Before submitting to CCB, the applicant should have each of the following ready:

• Establish or join a CCB-licensed contracting business as required by ORS 701.445
• Accumulate at least 20 qualifying eligibility points documented with the OCHI application
• Register with PSI and pass the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE)
• Complete the Oregon Certified Home Inspector Certification Application with supporting point documentation
• Pay the $150 two-year OCHI certificate fee to the CCB
• Confirm the affiliated CCB contractor business license, bond, and general liability coverage are active
• Track at least 30 continuing education units before each two-year renewal

Progress is saved in this browser, so you can return to this checklist while your application is in flight.

Common Filing Mistakes

These are the recurring mistakes that most often delay or reject a Oregon Home Inspector application, based on the official instructions cited here.

Overlooking the mandatory business affiliation

The OCHI credential alone does not authorize practice. Under ORS 701.445 the inspector must own or be employed by a CCB-licensed contracting business; failing to maintain that affiliation undermines the legal basis to perform inspections.

Confusing the two separate licenses and fee cycles

The $150 individual OCHI certificate and the separate CCB contractor business license ($400 under CCB's current fee schedule) renew on their own two-year cycles. Tracking only one can lead to a lapse of the other and a gap in authority to operate.

Misreading the statutory testing fee cap

ORS 701.445 caps the state testing fee at $50, but Oregon uses the NHIE delivered by PSI at $225 paid directly to PSI. These are distinct charges, and budgeting only for the $50 cap understates the true exam cost.

Assuming a fixed classroom-hour requirement

Oregon's point-based system has no single mandated hour count. Applicants who plan around an hour total rather than accumulating the required 20 eligibility points may misjudge whether they qualify.

Study and Reference Materials

The following references are cited by the regulator, used in the application process, or commonly used to prepare for the trade scope. Listed for reader convenience; CLR receives no compensation for these recommendations.

• National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) Candidate Handbook — PSI / Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors. Official content outline and registration details for the 200-question, four-hour NHIE required for OCHI certification.
• OAR Chapter 812, Division 8 - Home Inspector Certification Rules — Oregon Construction Contractors Board. Governs the 20-point eligibility system, examination requirement, and continuing education obligations.

Other Oregon Trade Licenses

For a different Oregon credential, see these companion guides published by CLR:

• Oregon General Contractor License Requirements
• Oregon Electrician License Requirements
• Oregon Plumber License Requirements
• Oregon HVAC Technician License Requirements
• Oregon Roofing Contractor License Requirements
• Oregon Painting Contractor License Requirements
• Oregon Landscaping Contractor License Requirements
• Oregon Masonry Contractor License Requirements
• Oregon Concrete Contractor License Requirements
• Oregon Carpentry Contractor License Requirements
• Oregon Solar Installer License Requirements
• Oregon Low-Voltage Technician License Requirements
• Oregon Fire Sprinkler Contractor License Requirements
• Oregon Pool Contractor License Requirements
• Oregon Handyman License Requirements
• Oregon Pest Control License Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Oregon license home inspectors?

Yes. Oregon regulates home inspectors through the Construction Contractors Board (CCB), which issues the Oregon Certified Home Inspector (OCHI) credential under ORS 701.445 and OAR Chapter 812, Division 8. The certificate is distinct from, but tied to, an underlying CCB contractor business license.

How many education hours does Oregon require for home inspectors?

Oregon does not set a single classroom-hour mandate. Instead, the CCB requires an applicant to document at least 20 qualifying eligibility points. The current application recognizes approved coursework, ride-alongs, relevant experience, recommendations from Oregon Certified Home Inspectors, and government building-code certifications.

Which exam must Oregon home inspectors pass?

Applicants must pass the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE), a 200-question, four-hour multiple-choice exam administered by PSI. The PSI-delivered NHIE fee is $225, paid directly to PSI, and evidence of passing must accompany the certification application.

Do Oregon home inspectors need errors & omissions insurance?

The individual OCHI certificate has no separate bond or insurance requirement in the Oregon license directory. However, because a certified inspector must own or work for a CCB-licensed contracting business under ORS 701.445, the affiliated business must meet the bond and general-liability requirements for its CCB endorsement.

How often is the OCHI credential renewed?

The OCHI certificate runs on a two-year cycle and renews for $150. Renewal requires a completed application, the fee, and proof of at least 30 continuing education units from CCB-approved providers earned during the two years before expiration (OAR 812-008-0070).

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