Home Inspector Licensing in Lake Sarasota CDP, Florida

Who Needs a License

A home inspector in Florida must be licensed to perform inspections of buildings, structures, or premises for a fee or other consideration.[^1] The license requirement applies to any person offering or performing home inspection services, including visual inspections of structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems of residential properties.[^1]

Work that does not require licensing includes inspections performed by owners of their own property, or inspections performed without compensation.[^1]

How to Get Licensed

Florida home inspector licensing is administered by the Construction Industry Licensing Board under the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.[^2]

Steps to licensure:

1. Meet the qualification requirements under Fla. Stat. § 489.113, which include a minimum of 100 hours of documented classroom instruction in home inspection standards and practices, and either:
2. Two years of full-time experience as a home inspector, OR

3. Completion of an approved apprenticeship program[^3]

4. Pass the Florida Home Inspector examination administered by the state licensing board.[^3]

5. Submit your application to the Construction Industry Licensing Board with proof of education, experience, and exam passage.[^2]

6. Pay the required application and licensing fees.

Applicants must also comply with restrictions on unlicensed practice and cannot perform home inspections until the license is issued and active.[^3]

Local Requirements

Permits and inspections in Lake Sarasota CDP are handled by Sarasota County building and permitting authority, as the community is an unincorporated census-designated place (CDP).

Contact the Sarasota County Building Department to determine permit requirements for any inspection-related work in the jurisdiction.

Review the Lake Sarasota Municipal Code for any local amendments or additional requirements beyond state law. Local codes may contain specific standards or procedures applicable to inspections performed within Lake Sarasota CDP.

Exemptions

The following are exempt from home inspector licensing requirements:[^1]

• Owners inspecting their own property
• Inspections performed without compensation
• Inspectors employed by insurance companies, banks, or government agencies performing inspections in their official capacity
• Persons performing inspections as part of construction or renovation work they are licensed to perform in another trade

Any person or entity performing inspections for compensation must hold a current Florida home inspector license unless they fall under one of these statutory exemptions.

[^1]: Fla. Stat. § 489.103 — Exemptions
[^2]: Fla. Stat. § 489.107 — Construction Industry Licensing Board
[^3]: Fla. Stat. § 489.111 — Licensure by examination; Fla. Stat. § 489.113 — Qualifications for practice; restrictions

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/

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