Oct. 17, 2017
HARRISBURG – Legislation that would require home inspectors in Pennsylvania to be licensed by the state, sponsored by Rep. Sue Helm (R-Dauphin/Lebanon), today was passed by the House of Representatives.
“This is a very important consumer protection bill and will serve our constituents well,” said Helm.
“Prospective homeowners are now closer to having the confidence they are looking for in making the most expensive purchase of their lives.”
Currently, home inspectors in Pennsylvania are not held to any specific professional standard. As a result, if a home inspector fails to report an issue to a homeowner or prospective homeowner, there is little or no recourse available.
House Bill 1001 would establish statewide standards for the profession of home inspecting and the home inspection report. The measure would create the Home Inspector Licensing Board within the Department of Labor and Industry.
Under the legislation, a license applicant must be of good moral character; be at least 18 years of age; have a high school diploma or its equivalent or equivalent life or occupational experience; have completed board-approved training consisting of at least 120 hours of classroom instruction and 75 mentored home inspections under the direct supervision of a home inspector; have passed a board-approved examination; not be addicted to alcohol or drugs, and not have a felony drug conviction unless at least 10 years have elapsed since conviction.
A licensee would be subject to biennial renewal, requiring the completion of 32 hours of continuing education. The bill would also require a licensee to carry liability insurance of at least $250,000 per occurrence.
“The purchase of a home can quickly turn into a nightmare if the inspection is not conducted completely or properly,” added Helm. “Not reporting vital information can lead to costly repairs, health issues and burdens that no homebuyer should have to bare. My bill would end those concerns.”
House Bill 1001 will next be considered by the Senate.
Representative Sue Helm
104th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Andy Briggs
abriggs@pahousegop.com
SueHelm.net /
Facebook.com/RepHelm