Regulating Body
New York Department of State (Division of Licensing)
Phone: (518) 474-4429
Fax: (518) 473-6648
Email: licensing@dos.ny.gov
Department of State, Albany Location Address: One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12231-0001
Department of State, New York City Location Address: 123 William Street, New York, NY 10038-3804
Quick New York Facts
- Home inspection is regulated
- License renewal cycle every two years
- License type: home inspector
Required
- Field Training and Experience
- 40 hours of unpaid inspection experience (part of pre-licensing hours)
- CE
- 24 hours completed within two-year license renewal period prior to the expiration date
- Pre-Licensing
- 140 hours total (see experience)
Statute/Code: New York Consolidated Laws RPP – Real Property. Article 12-B. § 444-E (c)
Rule/Regulation: 19 NY CRR 197-2.3
Exam: National Home Inspector Examination or State Home Inspector License Exam
Application and Licensing: New York Department of State (Division of Licensing)
New York Home Inspection Training New York License (Chapter 461 of the Laws of 2004) the “Home Inspector Professional Licensing Act: takes effect December 31, 2005 and requires that all home inspectors obtain a license. Home inspectors will be licensed for two years and must pay an initial fee of $250.00 and renewal fees of $100.00 thereafter. The basic provisions of the law include requirements for obtaining a license, including classroom education and on- site inspection training, confirmation of an appropriate knowledge base via testing, the development of a required standard of practice and code of ethics, continuing education requirements for license renewal, and a duty of care of all license holders to the client. There are two routes to obtaining a license. An applicant must complete 140 hours of approved training, including 40 hours of unpaid inspection experience under the direct supervision of a licensed inspector, or have 100 hours of paid or unpaid inspection experience under the direct supervision of a licensed inspector. The applicant must also pass an approved written exam. The law requires that a licensed home inspector maintain appropriate general liability insurance. Finally, Under the Duty of Care provisions, every home inspector must provide a written report to the client, indicating what components and systems were observed, and must maintain the client’s wishes for confidentiality. The inspector may not do repairs on a home he/she has inspected for real estate sales purposes, inspect homes in which the inspector may have a financial interest, pay referral fees to agents or sellers, or inspect homes when payment is contingent upon closing, or pre-established or prescribed findings.