Part II. Entry
18VAC15-40-25. Application procedures.
A. All applicants seeking licensure shall submit an application with the appropriate fee specified in 18VAC15-40-50. Application shall be made on forms provided by the board or its agent.
1. By submitting the application to the department, the applicant certifies that the applicant has read and understands the applicable statutes and the board's regulations.
2. The receipt of an application and the deposit of fees by the board do not indicate approval of the application by the board.
B. The board may make further inquiries and investigations with respect to the applicant's qualifications to confirm or amplify information supplied. All applications shall be completed in accordance with the instructions contained in this section and on the application. Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are received by the board.
C. The applicant will be notified within 30 days of the board's receipt of an initial application if the application is incomplete. An individual who fails to complete the application process within 12 months of receipt of the application in the board's office must submit a new application.
D. The applicant shall immediately report all changes in information supplied with the application, if applicable, prior to issuance of the license or expiration of the application.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-501 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2017.
18VAC15-40-30. General requirements for licensure.
A. In addition to the provisions of 18VAC15-40-32, every applicant for a home inspector license shall meet the requirements provided in this section.
B. The applicant shall be at least 18 years old.
C. The applicant shall provide a mailing address, which shall serve as the address of record. A post office box is only acceptable as the address of record when a physical address is also provided.
D. In accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia, each applicant shall disclose the following information:
1. All misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, non-marijuana drug distribution, or physical injury within five years of the date of the application; and
2. All felony convictions during the applicant's lifetime.
Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for the purposes of this section. The record of conviction received from a court shall be accepted as prima facie evidence of a conviction or finding of guilt. The board, in its discretion, may deny licensure to any applicant in accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia.
E. The applicant for licensure shall be in compliance with the standards of conduct and practice set forth in Part V (18VAC15-40-140 et seq.) of this chapter at the time of application, while the application is under review by the board, and at all times when the license is in effect.
F. The applicant shall report any suspension, revocation, or surrender of a license, certification, or registration in connection with a disciplinary action or a license, certification, or registration that has been the subject of discipline in any jurisdiction prior to applying for licensure. The board, in its discretion, may deny licensure to any applicant based on prior suspensions, revocations, or surrender of licenses based on disciplinary action by any jurisdiction. The applicant has the right to request further review of any such action by the board under the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).
G. The applicant for licensure shall submit evidence of having obtained general liability insurance with minimum limits of $250,000 per occurrence. A business liability insurance policy or a commercial general liability insurance policy with minimum limits of $250,000 may be considered to meet such requirement, so long as the applicant is listed as an additional insured. If for any reason the board cannot reasonably ensure that the applicant is sufficiently covered in accordance with this subsection, the board may require that requisite coverage be obtained in the name of the applicant. Proof of such insurance policy must be submitted in order to obtain the license.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-501 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 27, Issue 11, eff. April 1, 2011; Volume 31, Issue 20, eff. August 1, 2015; Volume 33, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2017; Volume 38, Issue 7, eff. December 22, 2021.
18VAC15-40-32. Qualifications for licensure.
A. An applicant for licensure as a home inspector shall furnish documentation acceptable to the board that one of the qualifications for licensure in Table 1 has been met.
TABLE 1 | |||
Board-approved prelicense education course contact hours | Experience | Passed the board-approved examination | |
1. | 35 | Completion of 100 home inspections prior to July 1, 2017 | Yes |
2. | 35 | Completion of 50 home inspections under the direct supervision of a home inspector | Yes |
3. | 70 | Completion of 50 home inspections prior to July 1, 2017 | Yes |
4. | 70 | Completion of 25 home inspections under the direct supervision of a home inspector | Yes |
5. | None | Verification of 10 years' experience as a home inspector prior to July 1, 2017, with a minimum of 250 home inspections completed during such time period | Yes |
B. Prelicense education courses must be approved by the board pursuant to Part VI (18VAC15-40-200 et seq.) of this chapter. No more than half of the required hours may be completed using distance or online education technology.
C. Verification of home inspections completed under the direct supervision of a home inspector must be provided by an individual who was properly licensed or certified by the board during the applicable time period.
D. The National Home Inspector Examination provided by the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors is the board-approved examination pursuant to § 54.1-517.2 A 2 c of the Code of Virginia.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-501 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2017; amended, Virginia Register Volume 38, Issue 12, eff. March 2, 2022.
18VAC15-40-33. Examination conduct.
Procedures and appropriate conduct established by the board or examination organization administering the examination approved by the board, or both, shall be followed by the applicant. Such procedures shall include written instructions communicated prior to the examination date and instructions communicated at the site, either written or oral, on the date of the examination. Failure to comply with all procedures established by the board or the examination organization with regard to conduct at the examination shall be grounds for denial of the application.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-501 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2017.
18VAC15-40-34. Individuals certified or licensed in another jurisdiction; eqivalency to Virginia home inspector requirements.
A. The board may waive the requirements of 18VAC15-40-32 for an applicant who holds an active, current license or certificate as a home inspector in another state, the District of Columbia, or any other territory or possession of the United States provided the requirements and standards under which the license or certificate was issued are substantially equivalent to those established in this chapter.
B. In considering qualifications pursuant to 18VAC15-40-32, the board may consider experience gained under a licensed (however denominated) home inspector in another state provided the requirements and standards under which the home inspector was licensed are substantially equivalent to those established in this chapter.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-501 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2017.
18VAC15-40-35. Qualifications for the new residential structure specialty.
To obtain the NRS specialty, the applicant shall submit the appropriate application form and fee pursuant to 18VAC15-40-50 and meet the following qualifications:
1. Hold a current and valid home inspector license. An applicant who does not hold a current and valid home inspector license shall apply for such licensure and meet the requirements contained in 18VAC15-40-30 and 18VAC15-40-32.
2. Submit proof of successful completion of an NRS training module approved by the board pursuant to Part VI (18VAC15-40-200 et seq.) of this chapter and completed no more than two years prior to the date of application.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-501 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2017; amended, Virginia Register Volume 38, Issue 12, eff. March 2, 2022.
18VAC15-40-40. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 2003; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2017.
18VAC15-40-45. Application denial.
The board may refuse initial licensure due to an applicant's failure to comply with entry requirements or for any of the reasons it may discipline a licensee. The applicant has the right to request further review of any such action by the board under the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2.-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-501 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 27, Issue 11, eff. April 1, 2011; amended, Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2017.
18VAC15-40-48. General fee requirements.
All fees are nonrefundable and shall not be prorated. The date on which the fee is received by the department or its agent will determine whether the fee is on time. Checks or money orders shall be made payable to the Treasurer of Virginia.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-501 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 27, Issue 11, eff. April 1, 2011.
18VAC15-40-50. Fees.
Fee type | Fee amount | When due |
Initial home inspector application | $80 | With application for home inspector |
Initial NRS specialty application | $80 | With application for NRS specialty designation |
Home inspector renewal | $45 | With renewal application |
Home inspector with NRS specialty renewal | $90 | With renewal application |
Home inspector reinstatement | $125 | With reinstatement application |
Home inspector with NRS specialty reinstatement | $170 | With reinstatement application |
Prelicense education course approval | $250 | With prelicense education course approval application |
NRS training module approval | $150 | With NRS training module approval application |
NRS CPE course approval | $150 | With NRS CPE course approval application |
For licenses expiring after February 1, 2020, and before February 1, 2022, the renewal fees shall be as follows:
Home inspector renewal | $40 |
Home inspector with NRS specialty renewal | $80 |
For reinstatement applications received after March 1, 2020, and on or before February 28, 2022, the reinstatement fees shall be as follows:
Home inspector reinstatement | $120 |
Home inspector with NRS specialty reinstatement | $160 |
For licenses expiring after February 1, 2022, and before February 1, 2024, the renewal fees shall be as follows:
Home inspector renewal | $25 |
Home inspector with NRS specialty renewal | $50 |
For reinstatement applications received after March 1, 2022, and on or before February 29, 2024, the reinstatement fees shall be as follows:
Home inspector reinstatement | $105 |
Home inspector with NRS specialty reinstatement | $130 |
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-501 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 27, Issue 11, eff. April 1, 2011; Volume 31, Issue 20, eff. August 1, 2015; Volume 33, Issue 14, eff. April 17, 2017; Volume 34, Issue 8, eff. February 1, 2018; Volume 36, Issue 9, eff. February 1, 2020; Volume 38, Issue 12, eff. March 2, 2022.
18VAC15-40-52. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 27, Issue 11, eff. April 1, 2011; amended, Virginia Register Volume 31, Issue 20, eff. August 1, 2015; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 14, eff. April 17, 2017.