Beginning in 2008 Maryland passed legislation requiring all home inspectors to obtain a state license.  The program is managed by Maryland Department of Licensing And Regulation.  The State began issuing licenses in early 2007.   I received my license in March 2007.  If your prospective home inspector is serious about their business they should be licensed.  Make sure the home inspector you select is licensed by going to www.dlr.state.md.us.  then click on real estate appraisers and home inspectors.  While a licensing program may help weed out some unqualified or under-qualified inspectors it is still no guarantee you will receive a quality home inspection.  No examination or test of any kind is required.  Licensing is simply a minimum requirement.  There is no guarantee of competence or qualification.  All  that is required to obtain a license is 48 hours of an on-site training course approved by the commission, a high school diploma, and general liability insurance of at least $50,000.  Starting off the bar is set pretty low.  I took a course offered by a school located in Maryland  and did not find it particularly challenging.  So read my article How to Find and Select a Home Inspector (click on choosing a home inspector at left) and interview potential candidates thoroughly before hiring one.

Virginia and The District of Columbia do not currently require a license to perform home inspections.

Scott Madison, Madison Home Inspection LLC