New Hampshire

New Hampshire Home Inspector

New guidelines have recently been instituted in the state of New Hampshire concerning home inspections. Prior to July 1, 2008, no state regulations were in place nor were New Hampshire home inspectors required to be licensed or regulated in any form.

Since that time however, Governor John Lynch, with the help of the New Hampshire Executive Council, instituted the first Board of Home Inspectors. The board currently consists of seven members with varied experience in the field of home inspections. These members serve in a volunteer capacity with staggered terms two years in length.

The new laws that went into effect governing home inspections and, subsequently, home inspectors involved in what the board terms "Administrative Rules," accessible on its website: NH Board of Home Inspectors. These are guidelines that inspectors are expected to follow--basically a code of ethics--along with specific standards for conducting a home inspection.

In July of 2008, the first wave of home inspectors was licensed in the state--a total of 26 participants. Others in the industry have until January 1, 2010 to become licensed under the Administrative Rules. To become a licensed home inspector in the state of New Hampshire, a candidate must have completed 80 hours of board-approved education concerning home inspections and apply and pay $200 for the actual Home Inspector License through the New Hampshire Joint Board of Licensure and Certification. This license must be renewed every two years at the cost of $200 and applicants must have completed 20 hours of continuing education during this time for renewal.

Some home inspectors may qualify for a grandfather exclusion to the requirements. To be exempt from the above guidelines, a participant must have taken and passed the National Home Inspectors Exam or its equivalent, prove they work under proper liability insurance, and undergo a police background check, among others.

There are no standardized home inspection forms required by the state. There is, however, the code of ethics created by the licensing board in their published Administrative Rules that home inspectors are mandated to follow. This is titled "Home 600 Standards of Practice" and contains very specific information concerning home inspections. It outlines what duties should and should not be performed by home inspectors in line-by-line detail. It also contains a comprehensive list of definitions of the key terms used in the Administrative Rules for clarity of expectations.

The New Hampshire Board of Home Inspectors will handle complaints against licensees on a case-by-case basis. According to the board, its members will evaluate the complaint, decide if they have jurisdiction over the matter, and proceed if deemed appropriate. There is also the possibility of the involvement of the New Hampshire Office of the Attorney General, headed by Michael Delaney, who serves as the state's chief legal officer and chief law enforcement officer.