Category: Home Inspectors

61-30 – Here is the New Rules for Home Inspectors. We’ve waited for 3 years for some rules so here they are…

On October 22, 2013, Rule Chapter 61-30, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), became effective. These rules, along with Chapter 468, Part XV, Florida Statutes, are the result of many coordinated efforts between the Department and industry stakeholders and are now final. Some parts of the pre-licensing and continuing education programs for home inspectors have changed as a result of these new rules. Some key changes are detailed below:

• 1. Per Rule 61-30.501, F.A.C., the fee to renew or obtain a new provider license was reduced from $500 to $250.
• 2. Per Rule 61-30.503(5)(b) and (5)(c), F.A.C., the 14 hours of continuing education required for licensed home inspectors must include 12 hours based on the components of a home as described in the rule, as well as 2 hours of instruction regarding hurricane mitigation training. Courses approved prior to October 22, 2013, will meet the existing education requirements for the 2014 license renewal cycle, but will not be renewed after the course’s expiration date. If a provider desires to continue offering the continuing education course after it expires, the provider will be required to submit a new course application that complies with the new requirements.
• 3. Per Rule 61-30.503(6), F.A.C., the course topics included in the initial 120-hour pre-licensure education course must be based on the components of a home as described in the rule, and no longer include a live, field-based component. Courses approved prior to October 22, 2013, will continue to be accepted but will not be renewed after the course’s expiration date. If a provider desires to continue offering the pre-licensure education course after it expires, the provider will be required to submit a new course application that complies with the new requirements.
• 4. Per Rule 61-30.503(9)(a), F.A.C., all instructors must hold active or inactive licenses as home inspectors. Unlicensed individuals may not serve as instructors for any approved course.

Declaratory Statement to DPBR (Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations)

Petitioner (Mark A. Cramer) sought clarification regarding the use of a home inspector license to identify and sample mold in a 10 sq. ft area.

The Department stated that Petitioner may inspect, sample, and identify visible mold, assuming the visible mold discovered during the home inspection is less than 10 square feet in area, and Petitioner is allowed to advertise mold testing, sampling, and inspections within the scope of licensure as a home inspector, so long so long as he does not use the terms “certified mold assessor,” “registered mold assessor,” “licensed mold assessor,” “mold assessor,” “professional mold assessor,” or any combination thereof stating or implying licensure as a mold assessor.

Declaratory Statements

 

Home Inspector DRAFT Rules
Any questions, comments or suggestions should be sent to Executive Director Richard Morrison at richard.morrison@dbpr.state.fl.us. He looks forward to any comments or suggestion, remember he works for us!