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Becoming a home inspector in Arkansas means working under a recently restructured licensing system. In 2023, the Arkansas Legislature combined three separate boards (appraisers, abstracters, and home inspectors) into a single State Board of Appraisers, Abstracters, and Home Inspectors under the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing.
Required Exams: Two exams: National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) + ASHI Standards of Practice and Ethics Examination
Education Required: 80 hours total: 64 hours instruction + 16 hours field training
Apprenticeship: Required since January 1, 2023: minimum 3 inspections totaling at least 10 hours under a licensed home inspector
Application Fee: $250 per year
Background Check / Fingerprints: Not required, but criminal history must be disclosed
Minimum Age: 18
Education Format: Classroom or approved online (correspondence courses NOT accepted)
License Renewal Cycle: Annual
Continuing Education: 14 hours annually (8 classroom + up to 6 online)
Required Insurance: $100,000 general liability minimum
Regulatory Body: Arkansas State Board of Appraisers, Abstracters, and Home Inspectors (under Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing)
Arkansas requires applicants to be at least 18 and disclose any criminal history (a background check itself is not required). Confirm your eligibility before investing in coursework. AHIRB reviews criminal history on a case-by-case basis.
Arkansas requires 80 hours of home inspector education broken into 64 hours of instruction and 16 hours of field training. Important: correspondence courses are NOT accepted. Coursework covers home systems, Arkansas Standards of Practice, ethics, and report writing. AHIT’s Arkansas Home Inspector Training Course meets the 80-hour requirement through approved online and field training delivery.
Effective January 1, 2023, Arkansas requires an apprenticeship before licensure. The minimum is 3 inspections totaling at least 10 hours under the direct supervision of a licensed Arkansas home inspector. This is documented and submitted with your application. Plan on lining up a supervisor early; scheduling apprenticeship inspections is the most common timeline delay for AR candidates.
Arkansas requires two separate exams: the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) administered through Pearson VUE (~$225), and the ASHI Standards of Practice and Ethics Examination. The NHIE covers technical inspection knowledge across 200 multiple-choice questions over four hours. The ASHI exam covers professional ethics and Standards of Practice. Both passing scores must be submitted with your application.
Submit your application to the Arkansas Home Inspector Registration Board (AHIRB) with the $250 annual fee, education certificates, apprenticeship documentation, both exam scores, proof of $100,000 general liability insurance, and any required additional materials. AHIRB processes applications and issues licenses through the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing.
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Arkansas home inspector course packages vary based on the level of training and additional materials you want. Compare the package options above to find the one that fits your goals and budget. Every package from AHIT includes the Professional AHIT Home Inspector Course and exam prep tools built by AHIT experts, with higher-tier packages adding more study materials and specialty certifications. Note that Arkansas also requires a separate $250 annual application fee paid to the State Board.
Yes. AHIT offers Arkansas State Board-approved qualifying education for home inspector candidates. The course covers the 80 hours of qualifying education the Board requires for Arkansas home inspector applicants, plus Arkansas home inspector Standards of Practice and report writing.
Most Arkansas candidates complete the online instruction portion of the AHIT coursework in 4 to 8 weeks at a part-time pace. The 16 hours of field training is scheduled separately and typically adds 1 to 2 weeks depending on availability. Your total timeline depends on your study schedule, field training availability, and how quickly you move through the State Board's registration process.
The 64 hours of instruction can be completed online and is self-paced. Arkansas's 16 hours of field training must be completed in person under supervision. AHIT pairs your online coursework with the supervised field training you need to meet the State Board's full 80-hour requirement.
After completing your AHIT coursework and field training, you'll register for and pass both the National Home Inspector Examination and the ASHI Standards and Ethics Examination, secure at least $100,000 in general liability insurance, and submit your application to the Arkansas State Board with the $250 annual fee. AHIT provides AHIT-built exam prep tools to help you prepare for both exams. For a full breakdown of the Arkansas licensing process and salary information, see our How to Become a Home Inspector in Arkansas guide.
Plan on $2,000 to $3,500 in total startup costs. Arkansas's annual renewal cycle means recurring costs hit faster than biennial states.
80-hour AHIRB-approved pre-license course: $500–$1,500
Apprenticeship inspections (3 minimum): often included with course or $200–$600 if separate
NHIE exam: ~$225
ASHI Standards and Ethics Examination: ~$50
AHIRB application fee: $250 per year
General liability insurance ($100,000 minimum): $400–$1,200 annually
Inspection tools and reporting software: $500–$1,500
Most Arkansas candidates complete the full process in 3 to 5 months. The 80-hour course (64 instruction + 16 field training) runs 4 to 8 weeks. The apprenticeship phase (3 inspections / 10 hours minimum) takes 1 to 3 weeks depending on your supervisor's schedule. Both exams add another 2 to 4 weeks. AHIRB application processing typically takes 3 to 6 weeks once your file is complete.
Yes. Arkansas requires home inspector licensure through the Arkansas State Board of Appraisers, Abstracters, and Home Inspectors (under the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing). Operating without a license is illegal and can result in fines and disciplinary action.
Most Arkansas candidates finish in 3 to 5 months. The 80-hour course (64 instruction + 16 field training) takes 4 to 8 weeks. The apprenticeship (3 inspections / 10 hours minimum) takes 1 to 3 weeks. Both exams add 2 to 4 weeks. AHIRB processing typically runs 3 to 6 weeks.
Plan for $2,000 to $3,500 total. That includes the 80-hour pre-license course ($500–$1,500), the NHIE (~$225), the ASHI Standards exam (~$50), AHIRB application ($250 per year), $100,000 general liability insurance ($400–$1,200 annually), and basic tools and software.
Arkansas is more demanding than some neighboring states. The 80-hour education requirement is moderate, but the dual exam requirement (NHIE + ASHI Standards) and the mandatory 3-inspection apprenticeship add complexity. The annual renewal cycle is also more frequent than the biennial cycle most states use.
Arkansas home inspectors earn around $55,136 per year on average (Salary.com, 2026). Little Rock, Fayetteville, and the Northwest Arkansas corridor (Bentonville-Rogers) run higher. Self-employed inspectors charge $325–$500 per inspection and often clear $75,000–$90,000 with radon, termite, and pool inspection add-ons.
Renew annually through AHIRB. You'll need 14 hours of CE per year (at least 8 classroom hours + up to 6 online), current proof of $100,000 general liability insurance, and the $250 annual renewal fee. Arkansas's annual cycle is more frequent than most regulated states.
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