Home Inspectors Licensing Program
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation is responsible for licensing and regulating home inspectors. The Department’s Bureau of Central Intake and Licensure processes applications for licensure and refers complex applications to the home inspectors licensing office for final review. The Division of Regulation is responsible for complaint analysis and investigations, and the Office of the General Counsel provides prosecutorial services for disciplinary cases. The Department engages in rulemaking to implement the provisions set forth in its statutes and conducts other general business, as necessary.
Important Information (Hot Topics)
Rules Hearing, March 21, 2013, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Agenda
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Continuing Education Requirements reduced for Activation of an Inactive License
HB 517 was approved by Governor Rick Scott on April 6, 2012 and reduces the continuing education required to activate an inactive license. You now only have to complete one renewal cycle of continuing education instead of completing continuing education for all the renewal cycles your license was in an inactive status. Applicants will need to provide proof of completing the continuing education requirements in effect at the last renewal date immediately prior to their application.
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Home Inspector DRAFT Rules
(link temporarily removed due to maintenance)
List of comments / recommendations
(link temporarily removed due to maintenance)
Any questions, comments or suggestions should be sent to Executive Director Richard Morrison at richard.morrison@myfloridalicense.com.
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Continuing Education Update
It is not necessary for Home Inspectors to take any continuing education credits (CE) to renew their licenses for the first renewal cycle. Only CE credits taken after August 1, 2012 will be counted for the 2012 – 2014 renewal cycle.
The Initial wind mitigation courses approved by the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) are listed on the Department website at www.myfloridalicense.com/
dbpr/servop/testing/documents/hur_mit_ce_prov.pdf. This initial course can also be counted as general continuing education credits for home inspectors for the 2012 – 2014 renewal cycle if it is taken after August 1, 2012. The course may meet the home inspectors wind mitigation course credit if the provider of the course is an approved home inspector provider. Other two (2) hour wind mitigation courses that meet CE requirements for home inspectors will come available soon.
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Enforcement of Unlicensed Activity for Home Inspectors will begin July 1, 2011
House Bill 713 delayed unlicensed enforcement of home inspector licensure until July 1, 2011. This delay allowed initial applicants and those who were already working in the profession the necessary time to complete education, experience and testing necessary to meet the licensure requirements. In addition, this delay helped to identify any unintended consequences of the new legislation and present possible solutions during the 2011 Legislative Session. Starting on July 1, 2011, the full enforcement of home inspector licensure requirements per Chapter 468, Part XV, Florida Statutes. This means anyone holding themselves out to be home inspectors needs to be licensed through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Please review Chapter 468, Part XV, Florida Statutes for the laws detailing Home Inspection services.
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Licensure by Grandfathering
Legislation passed during the 2011 legislative session which allows three new groups of professionals to apply for licensure by grandfathering as a home inspector. These groups include individuals with current certification as one- and two-family dwelling inspector issued by the International Code Council or the Southern Building Code Congress International, individuals with current certification (active or inactive) as one- and two- family dwelling inspector issued by the Florida Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board, and individuals with a current (active or inactive) Division I contractor license issued under part I of Chapter 489, F.S. Grandfathering for these individuals will be available until July 1, 2012. The department will continue to process the applications that were previously filed by applicants who applied by March 1, 2011 under the prior grandfather provisions.
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Federal Lead-Based Paint Abatement Program
The United States Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for administering the lead based paint abatement program. Beginning in April 2010, anyone performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. You can visit www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/pubs/traincert.htm for information on certification requirements and training programs.
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Are providers who offer Home Inspectors Pre-licensure Courses required to include qualifications of the instructors when submitting course applications?
Yes. To eliminate delays and expedite the approval process, providers must include a detailed Instructor’s resume’ with their applications. The 20 hours of “Field Experience” must be directly supervised by a Florida Licensed Home Inspector.
Regulating Body
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation is responsible for the oversight of home inspectors. There is no professional board.
License Information
Definition of Occupation and Class Codes
License Categories:
Home Inspector
Applicant Information
Application/Licensure Fees
A breakdown of application and licensure fees is provided with application packets.
Examination Information
The Bureau of Education and Testing is responsible for examination development, administration, review and grades. You can also visit their
Examination information for Home Inspectors page.
Home Inspectors pre-licensure education courses
Information for Licensees
Biennial License Renewal Fee
Home Inspector = $105
The fee above include a $5 unlicensed activity fee.
Continuing Education Requirement
14 hours board-approved continuing education is required each biennium prior to the renewal period.
Continuing Education Information
The Bureau of Education and Testing is responsible for the management of continuing education providers and courses. Below are shortcuts to their continuing education pages.
Continuing education main page
Continuing education policy
List of continuing education providers and courses, and hours required
Information for providers / instructors
Reporting requirement for criminal convictions
As of October 1, 2009, Section 455.227(1)(t), Florida Statutes requires all professional licensees to report to the department within 30 days of being convicted or found guilty of, or having plead nolo contendere or guilty to a crime in any jurisdiction. The statute also requires the reporting of any convictions that occurred prior to October 1, 2009. A licensee who fails to report that information may be subject to disciplinary action, including fines, suspension or license revocation. To report this information, complete the criminal self-reporting document and mail it to the department.
Enforcement
The Division of Regulation is responsible for enforcement of professions and related businesses licensed by DBPR under the Division of Professions to ensure that the laws, rules and standards set by the legislature are followed. To file a complaint visit MyFloridaLicense.com.
Links and Resources
None.