Latest on Ohio Home Inspector Licensing

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Dear Real Estate Professionals,

Please see below for some important updates for licensees and stakeholders.

For updates on Appraisal Management Companies, please click here.

For updates on Appraisers and Appraiser Education Providers, please click here.

For updates on Home Inspectors, please click here.

The Division will continue to provide you updates and resources during this unforeseen time. Stay well and remember we are #InThisTogetherOhio.

Sincerely,

Anne M. Petit

Anne M. Petit

Superintendent, Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing

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I’m in process of trying to figure out how to get my inspection license in Ohio? I have owned a remodeling company for over 10 years and been in home construction for over 20. Regardless,that information doesn’t help me obtain a license, I need a background check,take the test,send in application and then it gets confusing?It says 80 hours course work or equivalent but what online course are acceptable? Also,says to complete a peer review inspection but certified organization but again where is this acceptable by Ohio standards? Any help with this information would greatly be appreciated because I just seem to be circling around all this? Thank you

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Ask at Ben@InterNACHI.org

Sean, if you have not already joined, you should join InterNachi. They offer the online courses you need for Ohio’s requirements. Through InterNACHI you can also do 5 mock inspections that will fulfill the Ohio peer review inspections.
The background test/fingerprints can be done at a number of places throughout Ohio. The locations are on Ohio’s application site. Since you are new and do not have the required 100 inspections, you can substitute that with taking the NHIE (National Home Inspector Exam). This is a proxied exam that you have to take at a testing center.
Please feel free to call me (my number is on my website) and I will be glad to help walk you thorugh the requirements.

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Thank you very much Joseph. You are the first to try to clear up some of this. I don’t want to trouble you during your holiday but I was thinking I need to join regardless just to have resources and accreditation with Nachi

Call me anytime Sean. Yes, I recommend joining InterNACHI. Along with giving you the requirements for Ohio Licensing, it offers much more in the way of training and help.

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Here’s a link to the law as it’s currently written, keeping in mind the dates have changed and will continue to change. Grandfathering ended back in November do any anyone who is not now licensed will have to go through the full requirements.
https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA132-SB-255

Don’t forget you’ll also need E&O insurance.

Note: Not to step on your toes Joe, and I could be wrong, but to the best of my knowledge the state still hasn’t authorized any schools or inspection associations for education or continuing CEs for their inspection program, those looking to get licensed may want to call Columbus or send an them an email concerning this. I will say NACHI is an excellent source for education and I would think they will be one of the accepted education sources by the state whenever that time comes. https://www.nachi.org/ohio-pre-licensing.htm

Hi Kevin,
I thought I read a post from Nick about Internachi courses being approved, but I can’t find it. As you suggested, it would be best to call them.

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I just contact Internatchi and the OHIB and their application is being reviewed as we speak! Great news! I don’t see any reason why Internatchi won’t be approved.

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InterNACHI was approved as a pre-licensing provider. There is an official announcement in the forum Licensing section.

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Great news for Ohio Inspectors!

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Hi All - I’m a new inspector, so I’ve inquired with the Ohio bureaucracy about if/whether/when they are/will be issuing licenses/processing applications. Lots of slashing, sorry.
I received this reply yesterday from Edward Woodruff, who is Division Counsel with the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing:
“If a new or revised law is proposed or enacted soon, then we will be re-publishing the grandfathered license applications. If a new or revised law is not at least proposed or enacted soon, then we will be publishing initial license applications in the near future. However, there are no license applications at this time that I can send to you as we are awaiting the Legislature’s action.
With all that being said, I would recommend you keep a close eye on the Division’s website in the next few weeks and to sign up for email alerts. I anticipate a statement will be published on the matter in the next 7 to 14 days.”

While I appreciate Mr. Woodruff taking the time and effort to reply, I won’t be holding my breath, waiting for Ohio licensure. I will be pursuing certification through InterNACHI so that I can try to make a living!

If anyone knows or has heard anything different, please let us know!

Attention (Ohio) Home Inspectors:

For those who wish to obtain an Ohio Home Inspector License, applications are now available on the Division’s website. Click here to review the application.

If you are a licensed home inspector in another state with requirements that are substantially similar to or exceed those in Ohio. Click here to review the corresponding application.

FAQ’s for Ohio Home Inspector Licensing

1. Q: When can I submit a completed application to the Division?

A: The Division will begin accepting and reviewing completed applications on Monday, April 26, 2021 . It is strongly recommended you submit a completed license application to the Division as soon as you can once you have satisfied all pre-licensing requirements.

2. Q: How do I submit a completed application to the Division?

A: Completed applications, including the application fee ($250) and education certificates must be mailed to:

Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing

77 South High Street, 20th Floor

Columbus, Ohio 43215

3. Q: When should I complete a criminal background check?

A: To obtain an Ohio home inspector license, you will need to submit to a State of Ohio and a national (FBI) criminal background check. These are two separate checks. You should complete this requirement only after you have mailed your application to the Division. Additional information regarding criminal background checks can be found with the application.

4. Q: How long will the application process take?

A: The time to process the application is typically dependent on the Division receiving the criminal background check results. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) typically provides the results to the Division within 30 days of BCI’s receipt of your fingerprints. However, the Division has seen longer times, especially when applicants have not followed corresponding instructions with the application or have past criminal history. Please make sure you carefully follow the additional background check information in the application.

5. Q: How do I complete a criminal background check if I am not located in Ohio?

A: Out of state applicants should carefully review the following link https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/FAQ/Background-Check-FAQs.aspx (frequently asked questions) or contact BCI at (877) 224-0043 or P.O. Box 365 London, Ohio 43140 for additional information.

6. Q: What are the fees for a background check?

A: Contact the Webcheck® provider for criminal background checks fees. This fee is paid directly to the Webcheck® provider and set by BCI.

7. Q: Where can I find the requirements to obtain an Ohio initial home inspector license?

A: The requirements can be found in Ohio Revised Code Section 4764.07(D) - http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/4764.07v1.

8. Q: How many hours of qualifying education do I need to complete?

A: You will need to complete at least 80 hours of qualifying education that is in compliance with the Board’s rule 1301:17-1-07 - http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/1301:17-1-07v1. Education providers should provide you with a certificate upon successful completion of the offering. A copy of that certificate must be included with your application.

9. Q: Does the Division publish a list of approved qualifying education providers?

A: Yes. The Division publishes a list on its website of approved providers on its website - https://www.com.ohio.gov/documents/REAL_ApprovedQualifyingEducationProvidersandCoursesforHomeInspectors.pdf. This list is updated regularly as education provider successfully complete the application process.

10. Q: What if I’ve completed qualifying education at a provider who’s not on the approved list?

A: You can still submit an initial license application with the Division. After receiving your application, the Division will follow up with you regarding your qualifying education. You should expect longer processing times for your application.

11. Q: Which home inspector examination do I need to complete?

A: You will need to successfully complete the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE). You will need to register for the exam through NHIE here: Register for the Exam - National Home Inspector Examination. You should receive a certificate from the exam vendor showing you have successfully completed the NHIE exam. A copy of that certificate must accompany your application.

12. Q: What kind of experience do I need to obtain for a home inspector license?

A: There are two kinds of experience and you will only need to obtain one type of experience. You will obtain either ten (10) parallel inspections OR you will need to complete a curriculum of experience AND a peer review.

13. Q: What are the requirements for a parallel inspection?

A: The requirements for a parallel inspection can be found in the corresponding Board rule - https://www.com.ohio.gov/documents/1301.17.1.14-ParallelInspection.pdf

14. Q: What is a curriculum of experience?

A: The requirements for curriculum of experience can be found in the corresponding Board rule - https://www.com.ohio.gov/documents/1301.17.1.13-CurriculumofExperience.pdf

15. What is a peer review?

A: A peer review can be found in the following rule - https://www.com.ohio.gov/documents/1301.17.1.15-PeerReview.pdf. Please note, for an Ohio licensed home inspector to serve as a peer reviewer that licensed home inspector must receive the Ohio Home Inspector Board’s approval PRIOR to the submission of an individual’s license application to the Division - see 1301:17-1-13(C) - https://www.com.ohio.gov/documents/1301.17.1.15-PeerReview.pdf.

16. The curriculum of experience rule states applicants may obtain interactive experience under the direction of a Board approved instructor. Who offers this?

A: The Division publishes a list of approved interactive curriculum of experience providers in the following link under the title “Curriculum of Experience” - https://www.com.ohio.gov/documents/REAL_ApprovedQualifyingEducationProvidersandCoursesforHomeInspectors.pdf

17. Q. Do I need to obtain insurance even though I am only submitting an application for licensure?

A. Yes. You need to submit with your application a certificate of insurance from your insurance carrier that satisfies the requirements found in Ohio Revised Code Section 4764.11(A) - http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/4764.11v1.

18. Where can I find the Ohio Home Inspector’s Standards of Practice and Canons of Ethics?

To review the Ohio Home Inspector’s Standard of Practice Rule visit - http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/1301:17-1-17v1

To review the Ohio Home Inspector’s Canons of Ethics rule visit - http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/1301:17-1-16v1

19. Q: Is the Division going to be offering the grandfathered license?

A: The Division may only offer the grandfathered license through a law enacted by the Ohio Legislature. No such law has been enacted by the Legislature.

20. Q: May I conduct home inspections without a license?

A: You can currently conduct home inspections without a license. However, you will need to have a home inspector license by July 1, 2021, to conduct home inspections in Ohio.

21. Q: How do I contact the Division if I have any questions?

A: The best way to reach the Division is to send an email to COMRealEstateOHIB@com.state.oh.us.

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I just spoke with Ed Woodruff this morning (Monday, April 19, 2021). Everything listed above is spot on. I am new to the home inspection business (started my business December of 2020). Because the grandfather period remains closed, in order to meet the ‘experience requirement’ I have to call a grandfathered licensed competitor of mine and see if they will let me tag along on ten inspections. So, I have spent $15k already and now I have to give up another $3500 to meet the Parallel Inspections experience requirement. Not sure if I am going to be able to continue in this profession. Just trying to find a way to make a living.

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Welcome to our forum, Damon!..Enjoy! :smile:

Damon, contact some CMIs or CPIs within 40 to 50 miles, or closer, to your area and communicate with them. Maybe one, or more, will help you. Some inspectors feel as though they are training their competition by ride-alongs or mentoring or hiring.

Here is the link for CMIs: Find a Certified Master Inspector®

And the link for CPIs: Find Certified Home Inspectors Near You - InterNACHI®

And Mentors: https://www.nachi.org/mentoring and https://www.nachi.org/my/mentoring

Also, you may want to take advantage of your Education Team at education@internachi.org for specific questions e.g. 15 Steps to Become a Successful Home Inspector - InterNACHI® and InterNACHI® Master Class for Home Inspectors .

And there is the Helpful How-To Videos - InterNACHI® for many other things.

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I’m in the same situation as well… either I’ll pay and shadow someone.

Damon, first add your location to your signature. Unfortunately, I already have 2 ride alongs, but once I know your location I will reach out to other Inspectors I know. Maybe they can help you.

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James, as I replied to Damon, let me know your location. I will try and reach out to other Inspectors to see if they can help out

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Iam also looking to find someone to help with the ten follow inspections in ohio u am located in mansfield Ohio but welling to travel to get them done