Part II. Entry
18VAC15-40-25. Application procedures.
A. All applicants seeking licensure must submit an application with the appropriate fee specified in 18VAC15-40-50. Application will be made on forms provided by the board or the board's 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 must be completed in accordance with the instructions contained in this section. 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 must 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; amended, Virginia Register Volume 40, Issue 21, eff. August 1, 2024; Volume 42, Issue 1, eff. October 1, 2025.
18VAC15-40-30. General requirements for licensure.
A. In addition to the provisions of 18VAC15-40-32, every applicant for a home inspector license must meet the requirements provided in this section.
B. The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
C. The applicant must provide an address, which will 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 must disclose the following information:
1. All misdemeanor convictions, except marijuana convictions, within three years of the date of the application; and
2. All felony convictions.
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 must be in compliance with the standards of conduct and practice set forth in Part V (18VAC15-40-140 through 18VAC15-40-180) 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 must report any action taken by any board or administrative body in any jurisdiction against a professional or occupational license, certification, or registration issued to the applicant, to include any suspension, revocation, or surrender of a license, certification, or registration; imposition of a monetary penalty; or requirement to take remedial education or other corrective action. The board, in its discretion, may deny licensure to any applicant for any prior action taken by any board or administrative body in 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 must submit evidence satisfactory to the board 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; Volume 42, Issue 1, eff. October 1, 2025.
18VAC15-40-32. Qualifications for licensure.
A. Qualifications for licensure. An applicant for licensure as a home inspector must furnish documentation acceptable to the board of the following:
1. The applicant has passed a board-approved examination. 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.
2. A minimum of 15 qualifying points from a combination of the following education and experience, with a minimum of five points from each category in Tables 1 and 2. An applicant cannot be assigned points from multiple areas in each table for the same activity for which credit is being sought. Except as provided in Tables 1 and 2, an applicant cannot be assigned points multiple times for the same activity for which credit is being sought.
TABLE 1 Qualifying Points Table: Education Category | ||
Points Assigned | Education Description | Maximum Allowable Points |
5 | Successfully completed a three credit-hour minimum class with a passing grade in home inspection from an accredited college or university pursuant to 18VAC15-40-32 C. | 5 |
1 | Successfully completed a three credit-hour minimum class with a passing grade in construction, remodeling, engineering, architecture, building design, building technology, or real estate from an accredited college or university pursuant to 18VAC15-40-32 C. * | 3 |
1 | Successfully completed a four-hour minimum course specific to home inspection contracts, home inspection reports, or topics covered on the board-approved examination. * | 3 |
5 | Successfully completed a minimum 35-hour prelicense education course approved by the board in accordance with Part VI (18VAC15-40-200 through 18VAC15-40-300) of this chapter. | 5 |
10 | Successfully completed a minimum 70-hour prelicense education course approved by the board in accordance with Part VI (18VAC15-40-200 through 18VAC15-40-300) of this chapter. | 10 |
* Points may be assigned multiple times for this activity. | ||
TABLE 2 Qualifying Points Table: Experience Category | ||
Points Assigned | Experience Description | Maximum Allowable Points |
2 | One month of full-time qualifying experience pursuant to subsection B of this section. * | 12 |
1 | Completion of five home inspections under the direct supervision of a home inspector or without supervision if lawfully conducted as authorized under the laws of the applicable jurisdiction. * | 12 |
1 | Membership in a home inspector trade or professional association. * | 2 |
2 | One year teaching at an accredited college or university, trade school, or private business for monetary compensation in construction, remodeling, engineering, architecture, building design, building technology, real estate, or home inspections. * | 6 |
2 | The qualified individual of a contractor license issued pursuant to Chapter 11 (§ 54.1-1100 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia for one or more of the following classifications or specialty services: 1. Residential building contractors (RBC) 2. Home improvement contracting (HIC) 3. Commercial building contractors (CBC) | 2 |
1 | The qualified individual of a contractor license issued pursuant to Chapter 11 (§ 54.1-1100 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia for one or more of the following classifications: * 1. Electrical contractors (ELE) 2. HVAC contractors (HVA) 3. Plumbing contractors (PLB) | 3 |
2 | Architect or professional engineer licensed pursuant to Chapter 4 (§ 54.1-400 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia. | 2 |
2 | Building code official certified pursuant to the Department of Housing and Community Development Virginia Certification Standards (13VAC5-21). | 2 |
* Points may be assigned multiple times for this activity. | ||
B. Qualifying experience. In order to be acceptable, qualifying experience must meet all of the following:
1. Experience must be verified by one or more of the following: licensed home inspector; qualified individual or responsible manager of a licensed contractor; or any combination of at least three licensed real estate professionals or clients.
2. An applicant's experience must have been gained by assisting a properly licensed or certified home inspector, as applicable, and under such home inspector's direct supervision or through the performance of home inspections as authorized under the laws of the applicable jurisdiction.
3. For the purposes of this part, experience requirements are expressed in terms of calendar periods of full-time employment.
a. A month of full-time qualifying experience is a minimum of 146 hours during a one-month period or a minimum of 18 workdays in a one-month period. More than 146 hours or 18 workdays during a one-month period will not be considered as more than one month of full-time employment.
b. Partial credit may be given for actual hours of qualifying experience if the applicant's experience was gained working less than full time.
C. Accredited colleges or universities and verification procedures. An applicant seeking to qualify for licensure based on completion of a class from an accredited college or university must submit an official transcript from the school where the applicable class was completed. Only classes from an accredited college or university that is approved or accredited by a regional or national accreditation association or an accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education will be considered. An applicant seeking to qualify for licensure based on working or teaching at an accredited college or university must submit evidence satisfactory to the board of employment by the college or university. Only employment with an accredited college or university that is approved or accredited by a regional or national accreditation or an accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education will be considered.
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 42, Issue 1, eff. October 1, 2025.
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, must be followed by the applicant. Such procedures include written instructions communicated prior to the examination date and instructions communicated at the site 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 will 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; amended, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 1, eff. October 1, 2025.
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 must 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 must 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 through 18VAC15-40-300) 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; Volume 42, Issue 1, eff. October 1, 2025.
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 will not be prorated. The date on which the fee is received by the department or the department's agent will determine whether the fee is on time. Checks or money orders must 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; amended, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 1, eff. October 1, 2025.
18VAC15-40-50. Fees.
The following table lists 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 |
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 42, Issue 1, eff. October 1, 2025.
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.