Whenever a new law is written, it can be hard to decipher the fine points and details. The language is written by the legislature initially, then various attorneys and other staff work on it.
There have been many questions as inspectors read the state website, look at the law, and try to figure out the timeline for licensing. I receive many such Emails and calls at my Bellingham office. The inspectors, young and old, all want to know what they need to do, by what date, if they wish to comply with the law and make sure that their inspection firms stay in business without major interpution.
Those three groups would be:
Group A: Those who had been in business for at least two years on June 12, 2008 and had 100 inspections under their belts and can prove it. This is the group that is, partially, "grandfathered" in. They have to pass the tests.
Group B: Those who were in operation, in business, on June 12, 2008 and can prove it. They did not have two years experience and 100 inspections under their belts. That group will have to meet education, field training and testing requirements.
Group C: Those who were not in operation, in business, on June 12, they started their firms after that date. That group will have to meet education, field training and testing requirements.
Now that you know the groups, you can see which language applies to you if you are an inspector.
WHEN YOU WILL NEED A LICENSE:
GROUP A -- EXPERIENCED INSPECTORS - If, as of June 12, 2008, you had been actively performing inspections for at least two years, and had completed at least 100 home inspections, you will not have to meet the instruction and training requirements of the law, but you have to take and pass an approved home inspector's exam with a Washington state component and obtain your license before September 1, 2009.
Note --If you are in this group and if you delay and do not complete these requirements by September 1, 2009, you will need to meet the instruction and training requirements of the law and will have until July1, 2010 to do so. Inspectors in this category who have not obtained their license by July1, 2010 must cease operations until they have obtained their license.
GROUP B -- NEWER INSPECTORS - If as of June 12, 2008, you had been actively perform inspections, but did not have at least two years of experience and not yet completed at least 100 home inspections, you will not be eligible to apply for your license until you have met all instruction and training requirements and taken and passed the approved home inspector's exam with a Washington state component. Inspectors in this category have until July 1, 2010 to complete this process or they must cease operations until they have obtained their license.
GROUP C -- VERY NEW INSPECTORS - Those inspector applicants that were not in business on or before June 12, 2008 may not practice home inspections until they have met all of the instruction and training requirements, and have taken and passed the approved home inspector's exam with a Washington state component.
To see additional information on home inspector licensing in the state, click on George's head.
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections
;)
;)
Steve----good job spelling this all out----let the scramble begin.