Washington Legal Requirements

Question 1

License length and expiration

Answer 1

Licenses are issued for a term of two years and expire on the applicant’s second birthday following issuance of the license.

Question 2

Continuing Education Requirements

Answer 2

Each applicant for license renewal shall complete at least TWENTY-FOUR hours of instruction in courses approved by the board every two years.

Question 3

Limitations on work:

Span of time after inspections during which no other services can be sold at that property.

Answer 3

From the time of the inspection until ONE YEAR from the date of the report, perform any work other than home inspection-related consultation on the home upon which he or she has performed a home inspection.

Question 4

Civil Infractions:

1 -
2 -
3 -
4 -
5 -

Answer 4

1. ) Conduction or offering to conduct a home inspection without being licensed
2. ) Presenting or attempting to use as his or her own the home inspector license of another.
3. ) Giving any false or forged evidence of any kind to the director or his or her authorized representative in obtaining a license.
4. ) Falsely impersonating any other license
5. ) Attempting to use an expired or revoked license

Question 5

How to report pests if not a licensed Structural Pest Inspector:

Answer 5

Any person licensed under this chapter who is not also licensed as a pest inspector, shall only refer in his or her report to:

rot or conductive conditions for wood destroying organisms

and shall refer the identification of or damage by wood destroying insects to a licensed structural pest inspector.

REFER to a LICENSED STRUCTURAL PEST INSPECTOR

Question 6

Field Training Requirements:

Answer 6

120 hours classroom, 40 hours field training with 5 actual home inspections.

The applicant will be required to complete written reports for each inspection and the supervisor will review the reports and certify that they are in full compliance with the standards of practice.

Question 7

Ethics SOPs:

A home inspect must NOT:

PROVIDE: X

DISCLOSE: X

ADVERTISE: X

Answer 7

9. ) The home inspector must not PROVIDE compensation to any person or entity other than the client for referral of business
10. ) Must not DISCLOSE information contained in the inspection report without client approval or as required by law. (exceptions for safety/health hazards)
11. ) Must not ADVERTISE previous experience in an associated trade as experience in the home inspection profession.

Question 8

SOP: Detached structures

Home inspectors are not required to:

INSPECT: X

Answer 8

Home inspectors are not required to:

INSPECT detached structures, common elements and areas of multiunit housing such as condo properties or cooperative housing.

Question 9

SOP: Exclusions

Home inspectors will report:

Answer 9

Any system or component not inspected for safety or other reasons, including the reason the item was excluded.

Question 10

SOP: Recordkeeping

Must maintain the following Docs for X years:

1-
2-
3-

Answer 10

Inspectors must maintain the following docs for a period of 3 years:

1. ) Pre-inspection agreements
2. ) Inspection Reports
3. ) Timesheets or similar docs that prove field training when supervising a home inspector applicant/candidate.

Question 11

SOP: Pre-inspection agreements

4 minimum inclusions:

1-
2-
3-
4-

Answer 11

Pre-inspection agreement is mandatory and as a minimum must contain or state:

1. ) Address of property
2. ) Inspector’s Compensation
3. ) General description of what will/won’t be inspected including all WA SOP required items
4. ) A statement that the inspection does not include investigation of mold, asbestos, lead paint, water, soil, air quality or other environmental issues unless agreed to in writing in the pre-inspection agreement.

Question 12

SOP: Procedures

When is a pre-inspection agreement required?

Answer 12

ALWAYS required in Washington

A home inspector must provide a copy of the pre-inspection agreement to the client PRIOR to the inspection unless prevented by circumstances from doing so.

Question 13

SOP: Structure - Probing

Inspector’s will probe:

Answer 13

Inspector’s will:

Probe a rep. number of structural components where deterioration is suspected or where clear indications of possible deterioration exist. Probing is not required when probing will damage any finished surface or where no deterioration is suspected.

Question 14

Inspector are required to Enter and Traverse attics and subfloor crawlspaces:

T or F

Answer 14

True, unless it is unsafe to do so.

Exceptions: Crawlspace entrance less than 18”x24”, or less than 18” beneath joists, 12” below girders

Question 15

SOP: Exterior Requirements

The inspector will:

• DESCRIBE: X
• INSPECT: X
• PROBE: X

Answer 15

The Inspector will

• DESCRIBE the exterior components visible from ground level
• INSPECT visible wall coverings, trim, protective coatings and sealants, windows and doors, attached porches, decks, steps, balconies, handrails, guardrails, carports, eaves, soffits, fascia and visible exterior portions of chimneys.
• PROBE exterior components where deterioration is suspected or where clear indications of possible deterioration exist. Probing is not required when probing will damage any finished surface or where no deterioration is suspected

Question 16

SOP: Exterior Non-Requirements

Inspectors are not required to:

EVALUATE: X of 6 items

Answer 16

Inspectors are not required to:

EVALUATE the function or condition of shutters, awnings, storm doors, storm windows, screens, and similar accessories.

Question 17

SOP-Roof

Inspector’s will:

TRAVERSE: X

REPORT: X

Answer 17

Inspector’s will:

TRAVERSE the roof to inspect it (if safe)

REPORT the manner in which the roof is ventilated

If the roof is NOT traversed method used to inspect must be reported

Question 18

SOP-plumbing

Inspector will:

REPORT: X

REPORT: X

Answer 18

Inspector will:

• REPORT the presence and location of a main water shutoff valve and/or fuel shutoff valve, or report that they were not found.
• REPORT whether or not the water temp. was tested and state that the generally accepted safe water temp is 120 F

Question 19

SOP-Electrical

Inspector will:

REPORT: X

REPORT: X

Inspector not required to:

DISMANTLE: X

Answer 19

Inspector will:

• REPORT if present solid conductor aluminum branch circuits. Include a statement in the report that solid conductor alum wiring may be hazardous and a licensed electrician should inspect the system to ensure it’s safe.
• REPORT the location of any inoperative or missing GFCI and/or AFCI devices when they are recommended by industry standards.

Inspector is not required to:

-DISMANTLE any electrical device or control, except for the removal of deadfront covers from the main service panel and sub-panels.

Question 20

SOP-Air Conditioning

Inspector Will:

OPERATE: X

Inspector not required to:

INSPECT: X

OPERATE: X

Answer 20

Inspector Will:

-OPERATE the system using normal control devices and measures and record temp differential
(check at return air grill, and supply. Temp should be 14-21 degrees lower at supply)

Inspector not required:

• INSPECT wall or window-mount AC units
• OPERATE cooling system components if the exterior temp is below 60 or when other circumstances are not conductive to safe operation or when doing so might damage the equipment.

Question 21

SOP-Insulation

Inspector will:

REPORT: X

Answer 21

Inspector will:

-REPORT the absence of insulation on heating system ductwork and supply plumbing in unconditioned spaces.

Question 22

SOP-Attached Garage

Inspector will:

TEST: X

INSPECT: X

Answer 22

Inspector will:

• TEST the function of the garage door openers, their auto-reverse systems and secondary entrapment devices (photoelectric and edge sensors) when present.
• INSPECT fire separation between the house and garage when applicable.

Question 23

Unprofessional Conduct

Upon finding unprofessional conduct, the disciplinary authority may issue an order providing for:

PAYMENT OF: X

IMPOSE A: X

MAX fine: X

FAILURE TO: X

Answer 23

Upon finding unprofessional conduct, the disciplinary authority may issue an order providing for:

h.) PAYMENT of a fine for each violation found by the disciplinary authority, not to exceed FIVE THOUSAND dollars per violation.

The disciplinary authority may IMPOSE a civil fine in an amount not exceeding ONE THOUSAND dollars for each day upon which a person engaged in unlicensed practice.

MAX fine of $25,000

FAILURE to pay can result in contempt of court, and an additional civic penalty to the state in an amount not to exceed $25,000