What's happening
This bill requires home inspector license applicants in New York to pass the National Home Inspector examination.
Why it matters
Standardizes the licensing process. by requiring all applicants to take the same nationally recognized exam, potentially raising the baseline quality and consistency of home inspectors in New York.
Removes flexibility for alternative tests. or state-specific exams, which could limit local adaptation but ensures alignment with national professional standards.
Could impact current and future applicants. by making the National Home Inspector Examination the sole pathway, potentially affecting those who have prepared for or taken different qualifying exams in the past.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Standardize Home Inspector Exams
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Substituted by A6149
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.1062
- Referred to judiciary
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Toughen Home Inspector Licensing
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Donna Lupardo
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4122
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 28, 2019
Introduced by Sens. GAUGHRAN, BOYLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the real property law, in relation to home inspection professional licensing
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (c) of subdivision 1 of section 444-e of the real property law, as amended by section 59 of part D of chapter 60 of the laws of 2012, is amended to read as follows:
(c) have passed [a written or electronic] the National Home Inspector examination [approved by the secretary, and designed to test competence in home inspection practice as determined by a recognized role definition methodology and developed and administered to the extent practicable in a manner consistent with the American Educational Research Association's "Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing." An applicant who has passed an existing nationally recognized examination, as approved by the secretary, prior to the effective date of this article shall be in compliance with this paragraph]; and
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to applications for a license as a home inspector received on or after such date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10159-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the real property law, in relation to home inspection professional licensing
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to update training requirements for home inspectors.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Paragraph (c) of subdivision 1 of section 414 e of the real property law, as amended by section 59 of part D of chapter 60 of the laws of 2012 is amended.
Section 2: Provides for this act's effective date.
Justification
This bill, supported by the New York State Association of Home Inspec- tors, will increase the required training to become a licensed home inspector. This increase will strengthen training for new home inspec- tors and ensure more effective inspections. The present 140 hours of initial training for licensure are insufficient to ensure an adequate understanding of the significance, condition, and failure modes of the numerous electrical, mechanical, and structural systems within a home, resulting in significant missed or misinterpreted conditions during home inspections. This increase in hours will ensure that new home inspectors are trained to the highest standard and fully equipped to protect home buyers.
The bill also asks the Secretary of State to review and establish rules and regulations regarding the manner and number of hours required for unpaid field-based inspections as part of the training. The 40 hour on-site training portion of the existing initial training requirements does not allow enough time for trainees to learn to successfully identi- fy essential components and to properly explain the relative signif- icance of observed deficiencies to clients. Modern residential construction and remodeling are constantly undergoing major changes in methods and materials, as well as energy conservation measures and tech- niques, requiring significant continuing education and training.
Legislative history
Formerly A-215-a/S649-a of 2018, passed the Assembly and died in Senate Rules.
Fiscal implications
This act has no fiscal implications to the State.
Effective date
The act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to applications for a license as a home inspector received on or after such date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.