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Committee hears Home Inspector Board overview; clarifies exemptions and bonding
Summary
Edward Woodruff described licensing under ORC 4764 for home inspectors, including application, competency tests (National Home Inspector Exam), 3‑year license cycles with $250 fees, and exemptions for certain professionals acting within their scopes (appraisers, engineers, architects). Committee members pressed on bond timing and continuing education requirements.
Edward Woodruff, an attorney with the Ohio Division of Real Estate for Professional Licensing, summarized the Ohio Home Inspector Board’s licensing framework and answered committee questions about exemptions, bonds and continuing education.
Woodruff said the Ohio Home Inspector Board was established by Senate Bill 255 of the 130th General Assembly to set minimum qualifications and standards for home inspectors. "If an individual wishes to be licensed as a home inspector in Ohio, they must comply with the following requirements: completion of an application form, proof of minimum competency, completion of a criminal history check, comply with ORC 4764 and rules promulgated thereunder, and remittance of an application fee," he said.
He told members the initial licensing fee is $250 and licenses are collected once every three years. Woodruff explained there are exemptions for some professionals acting within their professional scope — for example, appraisers may perform inspections while acting as appraisers without obtaining a separate home-inspector license, but if they render home inspection services "then they do have to be licensed."
Representative Brent asked whether bonds tied to inspections are annual; Woodruff said the division typically receives a certificate of insurance on an annual basis and tracks expirations. On continuing education, he said qualifying education to obtain the license is 80 hours while continuing education is 42 hours every three years (14 hours per year equivalent).
No committee action was taken; Woodruff asked legislators to support continued occupational licensure under the Home Inspector Board.
