House Bill 1217

Chair's Name: Roger Williams

Committee: Regulated Industries

House Sponsor: Sean Jerguson

HB 1217 makes Home Inspecting a licensed profession. The State Board of Home Inspectors will be under the Secretary of State and will have five members. Four of the members will be home inspectors and the fifth member will a citizen unconnected with the home inspection industry. The Rules Committee substitute gives the Governor, Lt. Governor, and the Speaker each two appointments. The Board is charged with setting standards of practice and codes of ethics, as well as other duties common to licensing boards.

Applicants for licensure must be at least 18 years of age, of good moral character, have not been convicted of a crime that had direct bearing on the ability to perform and be licensed, and have completed high school or its equivalent. Also required is the completion of a board approved 80 hour course of study, which covers specified building components or present documentation that the applicant has been engaged in home inspecting for not fewer than three years and have performed at least 100 inspections for compensation. Both types of applicants must pass a examination designed to test competence in home inspection practice. Reciprocity is given to those holding licenses in other states which have reciprocal agreements. The licenses are renewable biennially.

After 18 months from this bill’s effective date, no person or business can provide home inspection services unless the inspectors are licensed. The bill specifically lists actions which would be considered violations if the person is not licensed and actions which would not require a license.

This Rules Substitute comes to the Floor under the Structured Rule.

Chairman Williams’s Opinion of the legislation:

This legislation creates the State Licensing Board of Home Inspectors which will be authorized to regulate and license home inspectors in the state of GA. This bill requires every home inspector to obtain the home inspector license from the board in order to lawfully conduct business and therefore establishes the process of obtaining and renewing such license as well as provides for education and examination requirements. It further makes provisions as to the home inspection reports, liability insurance as well as unlawful acts, etc. The purpose of this legislation is to ensure that the home inspectors provide good quality service with ethics and integrity. Everyone in the industry has to be licensed so this seems to be the next logical step.

Further Action

The House agreed to the Senate Substitute.