In The News
Do to the increase in questions regarding Licensed New Hampshire Home Inspectors, Licensed Massachusetts Home Inspectors and their requirements, below is a summary of the New Hampshire and Massachusetts Home Inspector Licensing requirements as it applies to or affects Home Inspectors, Real Estate Professionals, Buyers and Sellers.
For the past three years, effective January 1, 2010, New Hampshire Home Inspectors must be licensed. To qualify for a New Hampshire Home Inspector's License the applicant* shall: be of good moral and professional character, successfully completed high school or its equivalent, submit a completed criminal record release authorization; agree to uphold the Code of Ethics for New Hampshire Home Inspectors (310-A:185), provide evidence of successful completion of the National Home Inspectors licensing or equivalent examination, provide evidence of successful completion of 80 hours of board approved education, and provide Proof of Liability insurance coverage. Additionally, it is worth noting that the NH Home Inspector's application is provided with: all personally identifiable information, employment information, education information; a listing of every state in which the applicant holds/has ever held registration/certification/licensure as a home inspector; if the applicant has ever been denied registration/certification/licensure as a home inspector, or, disciplined by any licensing board, and if so, an explanation of the circumstances; if the registration/certification/licensure as a home inspector was issued by examination; if the applicant has ever been convicted of any felony, any misdemeanor, or a violation and if so, the details surrounding that conviction; the application fee as specified ($200.00); and licensing is incomplete until a board approved seal is received.
New Hampshire Home Inspectors, Massachusetts Home Inspectors
and ASHI Inspectors adhere to a Code of Ethics.
Since May 1, 2001, Massachusetts Home Inspectors are required to be licensed by the Massachusetts Board of Registration. To qualify for a Massachusetts Home Inspectors License, an inspector will have completed the educational, training and experience requirements as set by the board. These requirements to date are* [266 CMR 3.01(2)(b)]: be of good moral character; successfully completed high school or its equivalent; have been engaged as a licensed Associate Home Inspector for not less than one year and performed not less than 100 Home Inspections under the supervision of a licensed Home Inspector; passed an associate home inspector written or electronic competence examination as offered or approved by the Board; pay the appropriate fee ($338.00) set by the secretary of administration and finance; agree to uphold standards of ethics and professional conduct; and, file with the Board satisfactory proof of a certificate of errors and omissions insurance policy, which shall be in a minimum amount of $250,000 in the aggregate. Further, a licensed Massachusetts home inspector or associate home inspector shall carry the license with him at all times and make it available for presentation to a client or prospective client.
Seller's Real Estate Professionals
- At the time of the signing of the first written contract to purchase, real estate brokers and salesmen (or the seller if no broker or salesperson is involved in the sale) shall distribute a brochure, (published by the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations), educating consumers about the home inspection process.
- Real Estate Brokers and salesmen shall not directly recommend a specific home inspection company or home inspector but may, upon request, provide a complete list of licensed home inspectors prepared by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Home Inspectors.
- Real estate brokers and salesmen shall not recommend a specific home inspector/inspection company unless acting as a buyer's broker. Upon request they may provide a list of home inspectors prepared by the board.
Buyer's Real Estate Professionals
A buyer's broker may still recommend a specific home inspection company, if there is a written contractual agreement or a written agency disclosure between the buyer and the real estate broker specifying that the real estate broker is acting exclusively for the buyer as a buyer's broker.
Maida Services does not engage in unethical relationships; we depend upon past client referrals for New Hampshire and Massachusetts Home Inspections.
The American Society of Home Inspectors is a professional organization that advocates high standards of practice and has developed home inspections guidelines. To be recognized as an ASHI Certified Inspector, the applicant must have: Passed the National Home Inspector Examination and ASHI's Standards and Ethics module; Had inspection reports successfully verified for compliance with ASHI's Standards of Practice, and Submitted valid proof of performance of at least 250 fee-paid home inspections that meet or exceed the ASHI Standards of Practice. Although ASHI has three levels of memberships with different requirements per category, all members of the American Society of Home Inspectors are obligated to abide by the ASHI Code of Ethics.
*unless grandfathered
