Home Inspectors To Be Licensed

Springfield, Il – December 10, 2002 – The Illinois Office of Banks and Real Estate reminds industry members that the Home Inspector License Act will be effective January 1, 2003. This legislations provides for the agency to administer the law, which requires a license to engage in the home inspection business and to regulate the home inspection industry.

Any individual, corporation, limited liability company, or partnership practicing as a home inspector must be licensed as of January 1, 2003. As of September 2002, Illinois was among 18 other states that require home inspection regulations. Highlights of the Home Inspection Act include the following:

Provides licensing for all individuals and entities
Requires 60 hours of pre-license education
Requires twelve (12) hours of continuing education from a licensed education provider every two (2) years
Provides the ability for the Office of Banks and Real Estate to enter into reciprocal agreements with other states
Provides for discipline of licensees including reprimand, probation, suspension, and revocation with civil penalties not to exceed $10,000 for illegal or unethical activities, or misrepresentation
Requires all applicants to take and pass a state examination
Provides a standard of practice for the profession
Provides for an advisory board with content experts from the industry fro recommendations

Any person wishing to obtain a Home Inspectors license must be at least 21 years of age, have earned a high school deploma (or GED), pass a state examination which requires 60 hours of pre-licensed education provided by an approved vendor, and submit applications and fees for licensure.

Limited education exceptions are in effect until June 30, 2003 for any individual who has actively and lawfully practiced as a home inspector and met any of the following criteria:

Performed home inspections for at least two (2) years and completed a minimum of 200 home inspections within the past two (2) years, and/or
Taken a pre-license course between 1/1/02-1/1/03 (may receive full or partial credit for courses taken:

http://www.obre.state.il.us/realest/HomeInspect.htm

Home Inspector Pre-License Education Providers
Home Inspector Forms

Additional Information will be forthcoming. If you have questions, please call 217-782-3414.

Emergency rules: http://www.obre.state.il.us/realest/RealestPDFTable.asp?Loc=news/HomeInspectEmergRule.pdf