Title of Regulation: 18VAC15-40. Virginia Certified Home Inspectors Regulations (amending 18VAC15-40-30).

Statutory Authority: §§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-501 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Hearing Information: No public hearings are scheduled.

Public Comment Deadline: July 3, 2013.

Effective Date: August 1, 2013.

Agency Contact: Trisha L. Henshaw, Executive Director, Virginia Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-8595, FAX (804) 350-5354, or email alhi@dpor.virginia.gov.

Basis: Section 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia states that the board has the power and duty to promulgate regulations in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia) necessary to assure continued competency, prevent deceptive or misleading practices by practitioners, and effectively administer the regulatory system administered by the board.

Section 54.1-501 states that the board shall promulgate regulations regarding the professional qualifications of home inspectors applicants, the requirements necessary for passing home inspectors examinations in whole or in part, the proper conduct of its examinations, the proper conduct of the home inspectors certified by the board, the implementation of exemptions from certifications requirements, and the proper discharge of its duties.

Purpose: The purpose of the amendment is to remove the requirement that training courses be taken in a classroom setting in order to meet certified home inspector entry requirements. The fact that distance learning is not acceptable as an entry requirement but is acceptable as a renewal requirement may create confusion among the regulant population. In addition, the desire to complete distance learning courses, online courses specifically, has grown in popularity. The cost reduction from not having to travel, find lodging, and take time away from work could be substantial for some individuals. With advancement in technology, the number of home inspector online courses has increased and are readily available. At the same time, classroom courses are becoming more difficult to find compared to online courses, which creates a barrier to certification. The board feels there will be no loss in the required skills resulting from the switch to distance learning.

Rationale for Using Fast-Track Process: The fast-track process is being used to make amendments to the board's regulation language for consistency, not to add any substantive changes to its existing regulations. The amendment also results in a less restrictive regulation.

Substance: No new substantive provisions or changes are being introduced. The amendments remove the requirement that restricts training courses to be conducted in a classroom setting to meet the certified home inspector entry requirements.

Issues: The primary advantage to the public is a more flexible training entry requirement, which may allow for additional certified home inspectors. There are no disadvantages to the public as precertification training is still a requirement.

The primary advantage to the Commonwealth is a more flexible training entry requirement, which may allow for additional certified home inspectors. There are no disadvantages to the Commonwealth as precertification training is still a requirement.

The primary advantage to those wishing to become certified home inspectors is that the barrier of completing classroom instruction is removed and more flexible and more available precertification training options, such as online courses, will now be accepted by the board.

Department of Planning and Budget's Economic Impact Analysis:

Summary of the Proposed Amendments to Regulation. The Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors (Board) proposes to remove the requirement that training courses have to be taken in a classroom setting to be accepted as meeting the certified home inspector entry requirements.

Result of Analysis. The benefits likely exceed the costs for all proposed changes.

Estimated Economic Impact. Under the current regulations required training for the initial home inspector license must be in a classroom. The Board proposes to allow the initial training to be via distance learning including, but not limited to, online courses. The cost reduction from not having to travel, find lodging, and spend time away from work could be substantial for some individuals. Additionally, the Board has determined that there would be no loss in the required skills resulting from the newly permitted switch to distance learning. Thus, the proposed amendment should produce a net benefit.

Businesses and Entities Affected. The proposed amendment affects applicants for initial home inspector certification, as well as providers of training for home inspectors. There were 37 applicants for certification in fiscal year 2011.

Localities Particularly Affected. The proposed regulations do not disproportionately affect particular localities.

Projected Impact on Employment. The proposal amendments are unlikely to significantly affect total employment.

Effects on the Use and Value of Private Property. The proposed amendment will moderately reduce costs for some home inspector certification applicants. Providers of classroom training who do not also provide distance learning will likely lose some business, while some providers of online training or other distance learning will likely receive additional demand for their services.

Small Businesses: Costs and Other Effects. The proposed amendments will reduce costs for some small home inspector firms. Small providers of classroom training who do not also provide distance learning will likely lose some business, while some small providers of online training or other distance learning will likely receive additional demand for their services.

Small Businesses: Alternative Method that Minimizes Adverse Impact. The proposed amendments do not adversely affect small home inspector firms. Small providers of classroom training who do not also provide distance learning will likely lose some business, but there is no alternative method that reduces the adverse impact to these firms and still accomplishes the policy goal of reduced costs for initial training of home inspectors.

Real Estate Development Costs. The proposed amendments are unlikely to significantly affect real estate development costs.

Legal Mandate. The Department of Planning and Budget (DPB) has analyzed the economic impact of this proposed regulation in accordance with § 2.2-4007.04 of the Administrative Process Act and Executive Order Number 14 (10). Section 2.2-4007.04 requires that such economic impact analyses include, but need not be limited to, the projected number of businesses or other entities to whom the regulation would apply, the identity of any localities and types of businesses or other entities particularly affected, the projected number of persons and employment positions to be affected, the projected costs to affected businesses or entities to implement or comply with the regulation, and the impact on the use and value of private property. Further, if the proposed regulation has adverse effect on small businesses, § 2.2-4007.04 requires that such economic impact analyses include (i) an identification and estimate of the number of small businesses subject to the regulation; (ii) the projected reporting, recordkeeping, and other administrative costs required for small businesses to comply with the regulation, including the type of professional skills necessary for preparing required reports and other documents; (iii) a statement of the probable effect of the regulation on affected small businesses; and (iv) a description of any less intrusive or less costly alternative methods of achieving the purpose of the regulation. The analysis presented above represents DPB's best estimate of these economic impacts.

Agency's Response to Economic Impact Analysis: The Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors concurs with approval.

Summary:

The proposed amendments remove the requirement that training courses to meet the certified home inspector entry requirements be taken in a classroom setting. These amendments allow for distance learning options, including, but not limited to, online courses, and make the regulations regarding precertification training more consistent with continuing professional education requirements.

18VAC15-40-30. Qualifications for certification.

Every applicant for an individual home inspector certificate shall have the following qualifications:

1. The applicant shall be at least 18 years old.

2. The applicant shall meet the following educational and experience requirements:

a. High school diploma or equivalent; and

b. One of the following:

(1) Completed 35 contact hours of classroom instruction and have completed a minimum of 100 home inspections;

(2) Completed 35 contact hours of classroom instruction and have completed a minimum of 50 certified home inspections in compliance with this chapter under the direct supervision of a certified home inspector, who shall certify the applicant's completion of each inspection and shall be responsible for each inspection;

(3) Completed 70 contact hours of classroom instruction and have completed a minimum of 50 home inspections; or

(4) Completed 70 contact hours of classroom instruction and have completed a minimum of 25 certified home inspections in compliance with this chapter under the direct supervision of a certified home inspector, who shall certify the applicant's completion of each inspection and shall be responsible for each inspection.

Instruction courses shall cover the content areas of the board-approved examinations.

An applicant who cannot fulfill the classroom instruction requirement as outlined in this subsection may provide documentation of a minimum of 10 years of experience as a home inspector with a minimum of 250 home inspections completed in substantial compliance with this chapter to satisfy this requirement. The documentation is subject to board review and approval.

3. The applicant shall have passed a written competency examination approved by the board.

4. The board may accept proof of membership in good standing, in a national or state professional home inspectors association approved by the board, as satisfaction of subdivisions 1, 2, and 3 of this section, provided that the requirements for the applicant's class of membership in such association are equal to or exceed the requirements established by the board for all applicants.

5. The applicant shall have a good reputation for honesty, truthfulness, and fair dealing, and be competent to transact the business of a home inspector in such a manner as to safeguard the interests of the public.

6. The applicant shall disclose whether a certificate or license as a home inspector from any jurisdiction where certified or licensed has ever been suspended, revoked or surrendered in connection with a disciplinary action or which has been the subject of discipline in any jurisdiction prior to applying for certification in Virginia. The board may deny certification to any applicant so disciplined after examining the totality of the circumstances.

7. The applicant shall disclose any conviction or finding of guilt, regardless of adjudication, in any jurisdiction of the United States of any misdemeanor involving violence, repeat offenses, multiple offenses, or crimes that endangered public health or safety, or of any felony, there being no appeal pending therefrom or the time for appeal having elapsed. Subject to the provisions of § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia, the board shall have the authority to determine, based upon all the information available, including the applicant's record of prior convictions, if the applicant is unfit or unsuited to engage in the profession of residential home inspections. The board will decide each case by taking into account the totality of the circumstances. Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for purposes of this subdivision. A certified copy of a final order, decree, or case decision by a court with the lawful authority to issue such order, decree or case decision shall be admissible as prima facie evidence of such conviction or guilt.

8. Procedures and appropriate conduct established by either the board or any testing service administering an examination approved by the board or both shall be followed by the applicant. Such procedures shall include any written instructions communicated prior to the examination date and any instructions communicated at the site, either written or oral, on the date of the examination. Failure to comply with all procedures established by the board or the testing service with regard to conduct at the examination shall be grounds for denial of the application.

9. Applicants shall show evidence of having obtained general liability insurance with minimum limits of $250,000.