Overview
Home Inspection is defined as the process by which a home inspector observes and provides a written report of the systems and components of a residential building including but not limited to:
- Heating System
- Cooling System
- Plumbing System
- Electrical System
- Structural Components – foundation, roof masonry structure, exterior and interior components or any other related residential building component recommended by the Home Inspection Council and implemented by the Department of State through the regulatory process.
It is the responsibility of licensees to understand the Home Inspection Professional License Law.
Term of licensure is two years.
Requirements
Submit a completed application and the required fee to the Department of State.
You can apply based on any of the following categories:
- Have successfully completed high school or its equivalent;
- Education: Taken and successfully completed a course of study of not less than 140 hours approved by the Department. Of those hours, 40 must be unpaid field based inspections in the presence of and under direct supervision of a Home Inspector licensed by NYS, or a professional engineer or architect, regulated by NYS,
or
- Have performed not less than 100 home inspections (paid or unpaid) in the presence of and under the direct supervision of a Home Inspector licensed by NYS, or a professional engineer or architect regulated by NYS,
and
Successful Completion of an Exam: Have passed the NYS written examination or have taken and passed an existing nationally recognized examination, deemed equivalent, prior to December 31, 2005.
- Freedom from Disqualifying Criminal Convictions
- Secure, maintain, and file proof of a certificate of liability coverage with the Department of State, which shall be a minimum amount of $150,000 per occurrence and $500,000 aggregate.
Course Providers
Course Providers offer the qualifying and continuing education courses for Home Inspectors.
Home Inspection courses and offerings may be given by any college or university accredited by the Commissioner of Education of the State of New York or by a regional accrediting agency accepted by said Commissioner of Education; public and private schools; and home inspection related professional societies and organizations.
Home inspectors are required to complete 24 hours of approved continuing education within their two-year license renewal period prior to the expiration date in order to renew their license.