Okla. governor signs home inspector licensing bill

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Jun 8, 2001 by David Page

Senate Bill 198, the Home Inspectors Licensing Act, has been signed by Gov. Frank Keating. He vetoed a similar measure last year.

The bill defines a home inspection as a visual examination of any or all of the readily accessible physical real property and improvements to real property consisting of four or fewer dwelling units, including structural, lot drainage, roof, electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, and such other areas of concern as are specified in writing to determine if performance is as intended...

SB 198, which goes into effect Nov. 1, will require home inspectors to be licensed by the State of Oklahoma, like plumbers and electricians are. Effective July 1, 2002, it will be unlawful for anyone who is not licensed by the State Board of Health to charge a fee for conducting a home inspection, or to advertise themselves as being in the business of inspecting houses.

The licensing requirement will not apply to people who inspect new houses, nor to architects, engineers, any individual licensed in another occupation who performs home inspections within the occupational confines of that license, government employees who conduct inspections when acting within the scope of their employment, and people licensed in structural pest control who only do wood-destroying insect infestation inspection reports.

The annual state permit will cost no more than $50, SB 198 specifies. The licensing exam fee will cost no more than $50, and approval fees for schools, instructors and home inspection organizations will cost no more than $100.

A seven-member Committee of Home Inspector Examiners will be appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate. The committee will be able to impose administrative fines against licensees for violations.

An unlicensed individual who willfully and knowingly violates the new law can be fined up to $1,000 and locked in a county jail for up to six months, and enjoined by court order from continuing the illegal practice.