Home Inspector Licensing in Miami Lakes, Florida

Who Needs a License

A home inspector must be licensed to perform home inspections for compensation in Florida. Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, a home inspection is defined as the observation and written evaluation of a residential or nonresidential building's systems and components. Any person engaging in home inspection work—whether as an independent contractor or employee—must hold a valid license issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Construction Industry Licensing Board.

How to Get Licensed

Step 1: Meet Education and Experience Requirements

Per Fla. Stat. § 489.113, applicants must complete a 120-hour home inspector pre-licensing course approved by DBPR. No specific work experience is required.

Step 2: Pass the Licensing Examination

Fla. Stat. § 489.111 requires passage of the DBPR home inspector licensing exam. The exam covers the Florida Building Code, inspection standards, business practices, and home systems knowledge.

Step 3: Apply for Licensure

Submit your application to DBPR's Construction Industry Licensing Board (Fla. Stat. § 489.107) with:
- Proof of completed pre-licensing coursework
- Passing exam score
- Application fee
- Required identification and documentation

Step 4: Obtain Local Work Authorization

Contact the Miami Lakes Building Department to determine whether a local business license or home inspector permit is required to conduct business within town limits. Permit and licensing requirements may vary by jurisdiction within Miami-Dade County.

Local Requirements

Home inspectors working in Miami Lakes must comply with the Miami Lakes Municipal Code. Review the Miami Lakes Municipal Code to identify:
- Local permit requirements
- Town licensing or registration fees
- Any additional qualifications or restrictions specific to Miami Lakes
- Building inspection procedures and standards

Contact the Miami Lakes Building Department for current local requirements, fees, and application procedures.

Exemptions

Under Fla. Stat. § 489.103, the following are exempt from home inspector licensing:
- Employees of DBPR or government agencies performing inspections in an official capacity
- Licensed contractors performing inspections on properties they own or manage
- Persons performing inspections on their own residential properties (not for compensation)
- Engineers and architects performing inspections within their licensed scope of practice

State Licensing Board Contact

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Home Inspector Licensing
- Phone: 850-487-1395
- Website: https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/home-inspectors/

References

• Fla. Stat. § 489.103 — Exemptions
• Fla. Stat. § 489.105 — Definitions
• Fla. Stat. § 489.107 — Construction Industry Licensing Board
• Fla. Stat. § 489.111 — Licensure by examination
• Fla. Stat. § 489.113 — Qualifications for practice; restrictions
• Miami Lakes Municipal Code

The law belongs to the people. Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 590 U.S. (2020)