Getting your home inspector license is step one. Keeping it requires ongoing continuing education in both Oregon and Washington. The requirements differ between the two states, and understanding them early helps you plan your learning calendar rather than scrambling before a renewal deadline. Here is everything you need to know.
Oregon Continuing Education Requirements
Oregon home inspector licenses are issued by the Construction Contractors Board and must be renewed every two years. To renew your Oregon Certified Home Inspector (OCHI) license, you must complete continuing education hours as required by the CCB under OAR 812-008.
Oregon requires 32 hours of continuing education per two-year renewal cycle. The coursework must be from CCB-approved providers and must cover topics relevant to home inspection practice. At least some of the required hours must address topics specific to Oregon regulations, standards of practice, or relevant technical subject areas.
The CCB does not limit you to one provider. You can build your 32 hours from multiple approved courses taken at different times throughout the two-year period. Many inspectors spread their CE across the year rather than completing it all at once just before renewal.
Washington Continuing Education Requirements
Washington home inspector licenses are issued by the Department of Licensing and must be renewed every year. Under WAC 308-408C, Washington requires 24 hours of continuing education per annual renewal cycle.
Washington’s annual renewal cycle means you are completing CE every year rather than every two years like Oregon. For dual-licensed inspectors working in both states, this means managing two separate renewal timelines and two sets of CE requirements on different schedules.
Washington’s CE must come from approved providers and must be relevant to home inspection practice. The DOL maintains a list of approved CE providers on its website.
Oregon vs. Washington: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Requirement | Oregon | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| License renewal period | Every 2 years | Every 1 year |
| CE hours required per cycle | 32 hours | 24 hours |
| Approx. CE hours per year | 16 hours/year | 24 hours/year |
| Licensing authority | Oregon CCB (OAR 812-008) | Washington DOL (WAC 308-408C) |
Washington technically requires more CE per year than Oregon, which surprises some inspectors. If you are dual-licensed in both states, plan for approximately 40 combined CE hours annually when managing both licenses.
Where to Get Your CE Hours
InterNACHI
InterNACHI members have access to hundreds of online courses covering every inspection topic from roofing systems to commercial inspection to infrared thermography. Many of these courses are approved for CE credit in Oregon and Washington and are included in the membership fee at no additional cost. For inspectors who joined InterNACHI, this is one of the most efficient ways to fulfill CE requirements. See our post on ASHI vs. InterNACHI for more on what membership includes.
ASHI
ASHI offers continuing education through its online learning portal and its annual InspectionWorld conference. Courses are organized by topic and many qualify for CE credit in both states. The InspectionWorld conference, held annually, is popular among inspectors who want to combine CE with professional networking.
State-Approved Independent Providers
Both Oregon and Washington maintain lists of approved CE providers. These include specialty training organizations, regional inspection associations, and online course platforms that are not affiliated with either major association. If a course is not on the approved list, its hours may not count toward your renewal, so always verify provider approval before registering.
What Good Continuing Education Actually Covers
CE requirements set a floor, not a ceiling. The most valuable continuing education goes beyond what the state requires and keeps you current on building science, emerging defect patterns, new materials, code changes, and specialty skills that expand what you can offer clients.
Courses that tend to be most professionally valuable include advanced electrical systems, moisture and building envelope diagnostics, structural assessment for inspectors, new construction inspection, and specialty certifications like infrared thermography, radon measurement, and mold assessment.
Specialty certifications also expand your service menu and add-on revenue potential. An inspector who completes radon measurement certification and a sewer scope course in the same renewal period has added two income-generating services while satisfying CE requirements. That is CE working twice.
The Certified Master Inspector Standard
The CMI designation, awarded by the Master Inspector Certification Board, requires 1,000 hours of continuing education in addition to 1,000 paid inspections. For comparison, Oregon’s 16 CE hours per year would take 62 years to reach the CMI education threshold at the state minimum. CMI holders are investing far beyond the minimum because they view ongoing education as part of what the designation represents.
Russ Motyko of Trusted Home Inspections holds the CMI designation and is licensed in both Oregon (OCHI #1898) and Washington (#1856). Learn more about his credentials and approach to professional development.
Tips for Managing CE Without Stress
The inspectors who handle CE most smoothly treat it as an ongoing practice rather than a deadline problem. Taking two or three courses per quarter keeps you ahead of the requirement and means you are never scrambling in the final weeks before renewal. It also keeps your technical knowledge fresher because you are learning continuously rather than cramming.
Keep records of all completed CE. Both states may require documentation of completed hours during the renewal process. A simple spreadsheet or folder with certificates of completion for every course is sufficient and takes almost no effort to maintain.
Related Reading
For a full picture of the initial licensing process in each state, see How Long It Takes to Get Licensed in Oregon and How Long It Takes to Get Licensed in Washington. For help choosing a professional association that maximizes your CE access, see ASHI vs. InterNACHI: Which Certification Is Better for New Inspectors?