An Arizona home inspector bond is one of the ways a certified home inspector can meet the financial assurance the Arizona State Board of Technical Registration requires before performing any fee-based home inspection. You can file a $25,000 surety bond, show at least $25,000 in net assets, or carry errors and omissions insurance of $200,000 in the aggregate and $100,000 per occurrence. It is required under A.R.S. § 32-122.02, and you must have it in place within 60 days after certification. A surety bond costs only a yearly premium, far less than tying up $25,000.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who requires it | Arizona State Board of Technical Registration |
| Governing law | A.R.S. § 32-122.02 |
| Official form | Board home inspector bond form [VERIFY against the Board home inspector bond form] |
| Financial assurance options | A $25,000 surety bond, OR proof of at least $25,000 in net assets, OR E&O insurance of $200,000 aggregate and $100,000 per occurrence |
| Deadline | Within 60 days after certification, before any fee-based home inspection |
| If not maintained | Certification is automatically suspended; revoked if not cured within 90 days |
How much is the bond, and what are my options?
Arizona does not require a home inspector bond on its own. Under A.R.S. § 32-122.02, it requires financial assurance, and a $25,000 surety bond is one of three ways to provide it.
| Option | Amount |
|---|---|
| Surety bond | $25,000 |
| Proof of net assets | At least $25,000 |
| Errors and omissions insurance | $200,000 in the aggregate and $100,000 per occurrence |
You must have your chosen financial assurance in place within 60 days after certification and before you perform any fee-based home inspection.
What does the bond cover?
A home inspector surety bond protects your clients, not you. It backs your obligations for negligent acts committed in the course of a home inspection, up to the $25,000 bond amount. If the surety pays a valid claim, you must repay the surety in full. [VERIFY against A.R.S. 32-122.02 and the Board rules for the exact claim and recovery procedure.]
How much does the bond cost?
You do not pay the full $25,000. You pay a yearly premium, which is a percentage of the bond amount based mainly on your personal credit, plus your business finances and experience.
[CLIENT FLAG: premium percentage by credit tier (for example, strong credit X percent, fair credit Y percent), plus one real worked example such as a $25,000 bond at $Z per year.]
We quote your exact rate before you commit to anything.
Bond, net assets, or E&O insurance: which should I choose?
All three satisfy the law, but they work differently. A $25,000 surety bond costs only a yearly premium and does not tie up your cash, but it protects your clients, and you repay the surety for any claim it pays. Proof of $25,000 in net assets avoids a premium but ties up that value. Errors and omissions insurance carries its own ongoing premium and, unlike the bond, can also protect you against covered claims. Many inspectors choose the bond because it is the lowest up front cost to get certified and start working.
How do I get bonded and file with the Board?
- Complete your home inspector certification with the Arizona State Board of Technical Registration.
- Choose your financial assurance: a $25,000 bond, $25,000 in net assets, or E&O insurance.
- For a bond, purchase it from a surety. The surety reviews your credit and sets your premium.
- File proof with the Board within 60 days after certification and before any fee-based inspection.
- Keep it in force. If you lose your financial assurance, your certification is automatically suspended.
Frequently asked questions
How much is an Arizona home inspector bond?
The surety bond option is $25,000. You pay only a yearly premium of that amount, not the full sum. You can instead show $25,000 in net assets or carry E&O insurance of $200,000 aggregate and $100,000 per occurrence.
Who requires it?
The Arizona State Board of Technical Registration, under A.R.S. § 32-122.02.
Do I have to use a bond?
No. The bond is one of three options. You can also prove $25,000 in net assets or carry qualifying E&O insurance.
When do I need it in place?
Within 60 days after certification and before you perform any fee-based home inspection.
What does the bond protect against?
Negligent acts committed in the course of a home inspection, up to the $25,000 bond amount.
What happens if I do not maintain it?
Your certification is automatically suspended. If you do not restore your financial assurance within 90 days, the certification is revoked.
