Part V. Standards of Conduct and Practice
18VAC15-40-140. Conflict of interest.
A. The licensee shall not:
1. Design or perform repairs or modifications to a residential building or NRS on which he has performed a home inspection as a result of the findings of the home inspection within 12 months after the date he performed the home inspection, except in cases where the home inspector purchased the residence after he performed the home inspection;
2. Perform a home inspection of a residential building or NRS upon which he has designed or performed repairs or modifications within the preceding 12 months without disclosing to the client in the home inspection contract the specifics of the repairs or modifications he designed or performed;
3. Refer his client to another person to make repairs or modifications to a residential building or NRS on which he has performed a home inspection unless, in accordance with 18VAC15-40-120 D, he provides written documentation to his client that clearly discloses all financial interests that the licensee has or reasonably expects to have with the person who is recommended for the repairs or modifications;
4. Represent the financial interests, either personally or through his employment, of any of the parties to the transfer or sale of a residential building on which he has performed a home inspection; or
5. Perform a home inspection of a residential building or NRS under a contingent agreement whereby any compensation or future referrals are dependent on the reported findings or on the sale of the property.
B. The licensee shall not disclose any information concerning the results of the home inspection without the approval of the client for whom the home inspection was performed. However, the licensee may disclose information in situations where there is an imminent endangerment to life or health.
C. The licensee shall not accept compensation from more than one interested party for the same service on the same property without the consent of all interested parties.
D. The licensee shall not accept nor offer commissions or allowances, directly or indirectly, from other parties dealing with the client in connection with work for which the licensee is responsible. Additionally, the licensee shall not enter into any financial relationship with any party that may compromise the licensee's commitment to the best interest of his client.
E. The home inspection shall not be used as a pretext by the licensee to solicit or obtain work in another field, except for additional diagnostic inspections or testing.
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 33, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2017.
18VAC15-40-145. Competency for assignments.
A. The licensee shall undertake to perform professional assignments only when qualified by education or experience, or both.
B. A licensee shall not misrepresent to a prospective or existing client or employer his qualifications and the scope of his responsibility in connection with a home inspection.
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.
18VAC15-40-150. Grounds for disciplinary action.
The board has the power to place a licensee on probation, impose a monetary penalty in accordance with § 54.1-202 A of the Code of Virginia, or revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew a license when the licensee has been found to have violated or cooperated with others in violating any provision of Chapter 1, 2, 3, or 5 of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia or this chapter.
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 33, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2017.
18VAC15-40-152. Notice of adverse action.
A. A licensee shall notify the board of the following actions against the licensee:
1. Any disciplinary action taken by any jurisdiction, board, or administrative body of competent jurisdiction, including any (i) reprimand; (ii) license or certificate revocation, suspension, or denial; (iii) monetary penalty; (iv) requirement for remedial education; or (v) other corrective action.
2. Any voluntary surrendering of a related license, certificate, or registration done in connection with a disciplinary action in another jurisdiction.
3. Any conviction, finding of guilt, or plea of guilty, regardless of adjudication or deferred adjudication, in any jurisdiction of the United States of any (i) misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, non-marijuana drug distribution, or physical injury or relating to performing a home inspection or (ii) felony, there being no appeal pending therefrom or the time for appeal having lapsed. Review of convictions shall be subject to the requirements of § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia. Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for the purpose of this section.
B. The notice must be made to the board in writing within 30 days of the action. A copy of the order or other supporting documentation must accompany the notice. The record of conviction, finding, or case decision shall be considered prima facie evidence of a conviction or finding of guilt.
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 7, eff. December 22, 2021.
18VAC15-40-155. Prohibited acts.
The following acts are prohibited and any violation may result in disciplinary action by the board:
1. Obtaining or attempting to obtain a license by false or fraudulent representation.
2. Performing improvements or repairs to a residential building as a result of the findings of the home inspection within 12 months before or after performing a home inspection on it, except in cases where the home inspector purchased the residential building after he performed the home inspection.
3. Violating or inducing another person to violate any of the provisions of Chapter 1, 2, 3, or 5 of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia or this chapter.
4. A licensee having been convicted, found guilty, or disciplined in any jurisdiction of any offense or violation enumerated in 18VAC15-40-152. Review of convictions shall be subject to the requirements of § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia.
5. Failing to inform the board in writing within 30 days that the licensee was convicted, found guilty, or disciplined in any jurisdiction of any offense or violation enumerated in 18VAC15-40-152.
6. Failing to act as a licensee in such a manner as to safeguard the interests of the public.
7. Engaging in improper, fraudulent, or dishonest conduct in conducting a home inspection.
8. Having performed a home inspection when not qualified by training or experience to competently perform any part of the home inspection.
9. Failing to maintain, through training, the proficiency to perform Virginia home inspections.
10. Conducting a home inspection on any new residential structure without the NRS specialty issued by the board.
11. Failing to maintain the insurance policy required pursuant to 18VAC15-40-30 G.
12. Failing to report a change pursuant to 18VAC15-40-160.
13. Having cited, stated, or represented that there exists a violation of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63) in a home inspection report or other document prepared relative to a home inspection.
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.
18VAC15-40-160. Maintenance of licenses, reports, and documentation.
A. The licensee shall at all times keep the board informed of his current address of record, to include the physical address, as applicable. Changes of address shall be reported to the board in writing within 30 calendar days after such change. A post office box is acceptable as the address of record only when a physical address is also provided. The board shall not be responsible for the licensee's failure to receive notices, communications and correspondence caused by the licensee's failure to promptly notify the board of any change of address.
B. The licensee shall notify the board in writing of a name change within 30 calendar days of any change in the licensee's legal name. Such notification shall be accompanied by a copy of a marriage license, divorce decree, court order, or other documentation that verifies the name change.
C. The licensee shall retain all records pertaining to home inspections performed to include written reports and supporting documentation for a period of three years from the date of the related home inspection.
D. The licensee shall report the cancellation, amendment, expiration, or any other change of the insurance policy submitted in accordance with 18VAC15-40-30 G within 30 days of the change.
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 33, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2017.
18VAC15-40-170. (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.
18VAC15-40-180. Response to inquiry of the board.
A. A licensee must respond within 10 days to a request by the board or any of its agents regarding any complaint filed with the department.
B. Unless otherwise specified by the board, a licensee of the board shall produce to the board or any of its agents within 10 days of the request any document, book, or record concerning any transaction pertaining to a complaint filed in which the licensee was involved, or for which the licensee is required to maintain records. The board may extend such timeframe upon a showing of extenuating circumstances prohibiting delivery within such 10-day period.
C. A licensee shall not provide a false, misleading, or incomplete response to the board or any of its agents seeking information in the investigation of a complaint filed with the board.
D. With the exception of the requirements of subsections A and B of this section, a licensee must respond to an inquiry by the board or its agent within 21 days.
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 33, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2017.
18VAC15-40-190. (Repealed.)
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; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2017.