Florida Governor Signs Legislation That Will Require the Licensing of Home Inspectors

Finally after years of trying, there is finally a law (SB 2234) that will require that home inspectors be licensed by the State of Florida. Most of the certified home inspectors that I know have long asked for such a requirement, but it never seemed to get anywhere. This year the Florida Association of REALTORs® also called for the law's passage. As things are now, anyone can be a home inspector. All they need to do is get a business license and off they go. No state license, no certification, no testing, nada. I could do it. And trust me, you would not want that!

The bad news is that the legislation will not take effect until July of 2010. The delay is to give the government time to come up with an implementation plan. Inspectors will be required to complete 120 hours of training, and pay a licensing fee. This will also give consumers another avenue to take if they believe that a home inspector has somehow wronged them.

The passage of the bill can only help consumers who often rely on the work of inspectors to inform them of the conditions of the properties that they are buying. That investment is a big one. There is no reason why the persons who work as inspectors should not have to meet specific professional requirements, just as real estate agents and many other professionals who work in Florida do.