Home Inspector Licensing
All Home Inspectors working in New York State are required to be licensed by the NYS Department of State, Division of Licensing Services. To be a licensed Home Inspector, each new inspector must meet the educational requirements; which include completion of 140 hours of approved schooling (including 40 hours of unpaid field-based training), or must show proof of experience (which includes having performed at least 100 home inspections (paid or unpaid) in the presence of and under the direct supervision of a Home Inspector licensed by NYS or a professional engineer or architect regulated by NYS); must provide evidence of passing the required examination; and must be a high school graduate, or its equivalent.The NYS Home Inspection Licensing Act also requires each that every licensed Home Inspector who is engaged in home inspection shall secure, maintain, and file with the Secretary of State, proof of General Liability Insurance which shall be in the minimum of $150,000 per occurrence and $500,000 aggregate.
In addition, NYS licensed Home Inspectors must be free of any criminal charges (misdemeanors or felonies) either pending or convicted in NYS or elsewhere, and cannot apply for or have been issued a Home Inspector License where such license has been denied, revoked, or suspended, or otherwise disciplined in NYS or elsewhere.
The Home Inspection Business Certificate (Certificate of Business Trade Name, Partnership, or Incorporation) must also be filed in the office of the county clerk where the business is located.
Home Inspectors must pay an upfront licensing application fee of $250.00 which will be applicable for the first 2 years, and must maintain a yearly continuing education requirement.