Updates to Home Inspection Rules

Blog, Home Inspection, Real Estate

Home Inspector Program Goes Live

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2019: As of Thursday, September 5th, 2019,  the Home Inspection Board approved the draft of the Ohio Administrative Rules for the state of Ohio and will be available for public comment. For the latest news regarding the home inspector program, visit the Department of Commerce’s Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing website.

The Ohio Home Inspector Board met for the first time on August 1, 2019, to discuss implantation of home inspector licensing. The program has grandfathering provisions for current home inspectors, provided certain conditions are met. All applications for a grandfathered license must be submitted before November 1, 2019. After November 1, 2019, any person performing home inspection services will have to be licensed as a home inspector.

To obtain a grandfathered home inspector license, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

  1. An applicant provides proof of maintaining or being covered by a comprehensive or commercial general liability insurance policy
  2. Understands an applicant can be subject to discipline by the Ohio Home Inspector Board and agrees with all rules adopted by the Board
  3. Completes a criminal history check
  4. Completes a license application and provides proof by signed affidavit that an applicant has met three of the following eight requirements prior to April 5, 2019:
  • Completed at least 200 home inspections for compensation from clients
  • Successfully passed a national home inspector examination within two years from the date an application is submitted to the Division
  • Actively operated a home inspection business in Ohio for three years
  • Was employed as a home inspector with a home inspector business for 36 consecutive months
  • Successfully completed 80 hours of home inspector education
  • Currently maintains an active home inspector license in a jurisdiction where the requirements to obtain that license are substantially like Ohio’s home inspector license requirements
  • Prepared at least five home inspection reports that have been verified as being compliant with standards adopted by a national home inspector organization
  • Completed at least one peer review session conducted by a national home inspector organization within one year prior to April 5, 2019.

Those interested in applying now for the grandfathered license can obtain a copy of the application at Home Inspector License (GF101).

For those that are ineligible for a grandfathered license, applicants will have to complete 80 hours of pre-licensure education and comply with other requirements as set by the Board. Information on the Home Inspector Licensing Program is also available from Hondros College.

The next meeting of the Board is August 22, 2019 at 9:00 am. At the meeting, the Board will review rules for implementation of the licensure and enforcement components of the program. The meeting will be at the Division’s offices at 77 S. High Street, 22nd Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43125.

Launch Your Career

Select your education program

Select your state

Select your course

Go!