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Bill would convert home inspector registration into state occupational license
Summary
House Bill 225 would move Montana home inspector registration into Title 37 occupational licensing, require training (not permitting an exam substitute), and give DLI authority to investigate, suspend and revoke licenses.
Rep. Eric Tillman told the Senate Business and Labor Committee House Bill 225 would convert the existing home‑inspector registration system into a formal occupational license under Title 37, bringing home inspectors under the same licensing and disciplinary framework used for other professions.
Sponsor and Department of Labor and Industry witnesses said the home‑inspector registry created in 2019 established minimum standards but left the department without authority to discipline or suspend registrants; paying a fine previously could restore registration without DLI action, they said. HB 225 would require training for licensure (the bill removes a prior allowance to substitute an exam for training), give the department power to receive complaints, investigate and carry out disciplinary action, and align home inspector licensing with other occupational statutes.
DLI supporters said moving the statute into Title 37 would let the department apply standard complaint, investigation and adjudication processes and protect consumers by enabling disciplinary enforcement. Several DLI witnesses told the committee the change would reduce duplication and improve regulatory consistency for small‑business inspectors and homeowners alike.
Eric Thorne, representing the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors, testified in opposition to the bill’s current form. Thorne urged adding an exam requirement (the National Home Inspector Exam is offered by third‑party test administrators) and argued Montana’s current proposal would set a national low standard if the licensing regime omitted an exam requirement. He suggested grandfathering experienced inspectors and adding test requirements to raise the standard.
Committee members did not take a formal vote at the hearing. Sponsor Tillman said he brought the bill to the committee at the department’s request to provide enforcement authority and to reduce duplication in statutes.
