After reading threads on how Home Inspectors were preforming illegal electrical inspection. Well I made some phone calls and this is the email that I got back from the Ohio Board of Building Standards with a hard copy letter for my file. So I thought that I would include a copy of the email here for your viewing.

As we discussed on the telephone, the following statement is what the BBS staff determined today during our several review of the applicable Ohio Revised Code sections.

I hope this helps! 

Ohio Board of Building Standards

PO Box 4009, 6606 Tussing Rd.

Reynoldsburg, OH 43068-9009

Office Phone: (614)644-2613

 Web:  www.com.state.oh.us/dic/dicbbs.htm

The law related to electrical inspections is not new.  Since 1970, persons holding themselves out to perform electrical inspections have been required to be certified by the Ohio Board of Building Standards as Electrical Safety Inspectors.

For the purpose of this law, "practice of electrical inspection" includes any ascertainment of compliance with the Ohio building code, or the electrical code of a political subdivision of this state by a person, who, for compensation, inspects the construction and installation of electrical conductors, fittings, devices, and fixtures for light, heat or power services equipment, or the installation, alteration, replacement, maintenance, or repair of any electrical wiring and equipment that is subject to any of the aforementioned codes.  (taken from ORC Chapter 3783.)

This means that if a person is paid to inspect a home, and indicates that they are inspecting the electrical system in accordance with the code, and they are not certified by the Ohio Board of Building Standards as an Electrical Safety Inspector, they would be in violation of the law.

"No person shall engage in the practice of electrical inspection in this state unless he is the holder of a certificate of competency as an electrical safety inspector issued under Chapter 3783. of the Revised Code. Any person practicing or offering to practice electrical inspection shall show proof of his certification upon request as provided by rules of the board of building standards."  (taken from ORC Chapter 3783.)

However, if a person holds them self out as a home inspector and offers to perform an inspection of the home and its systems but indicates that they will issue a report indicating the state of function, operation or relative hazards, but not refer to code compliance, they would not be in violation of this law.

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