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• Introduced by Sen. Harriet Spanel, (D-40th District) (D) on January 31, 2007, to establish a Home Inspection Licensing Board and require home inspectors to obtain a license to perform home inspections. The bill also details the definitions, requirements, conditions and related items necessary to create and administer home inspection licenses .
  • Referred to the Senate Labor, Commerce, Research and Development Committee on January 31, 2007.
    • Substitute offered to the Senate Labor, Commerce, Research and Development Committee on February 28, 2007, to move the licensing program from DOL to the Department of Labor and Industries. To qualify to become licensed without a prior exam, a person must have been engaged in home inspections for two years and must have been licensed as a structural pest inspector for that two-year period. The makeup of the advisory board is slightly changed: five home inspectors; one licensed real estate broker; one home inspector certification program teacher; and one member of the general public. Qualification to become a licensed home inspector is changed. The applicant must: file an application; pay the fee; prove that 20 education points have been met, passed the exam; and currently licensed as a structural pest inspector. The following methods are listed by which the applicant can obtain the 20 education points: ten for a completed, three-credit hour minimum class with passing grade; one point for each completed three-hour minimum class with passing grade in construction, remodeling, engineering, architecture, building design, building technology or real estate; one point for each completed "ride-along" inspection; and one point for each completed three-hour minimum class in other programs approved by the board. Certain experiences can be substituted for some point requirements. Each licensee must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years. If one has the proper insurance required to be a structural pest inspector, no additional insurance is required.
    • The substitute passed in the Senate by voice vote on March 12, 2007.
  • Referred to the Senate Rules Committee on February 28, 2007.
  • Amendment offered by Sen. Harriet Spanel, (D-40th District) (D) on March 12, 2007, to strike the original language and insert new language relating to the licensing of home inspectors. The amendment passed in the Senate by voice vote on March 12, 2007.
• Passed in the Senate (45 to 2) on March 12, 2007. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Received in the House on March 15, 2007.
  • Referred to the House Commerce & Labor Committee on March 15, 2007.
    • Amendment offered to the House Commerce & Labor Committee on March 30, 2007.
    • The amendment passed in the House by voice vote on April 6, 2007.
  • Referred to the House Rules Committee on March 30, 2007.
  • Amendment offered by Rep. Alex Wood, (D-Spokane) (D) on April 6, 2007, to change the date for the report to be submitted from December 1, 2008, to December 1, 2007. The amendment passed in the House by voice vote on April 6, 2007.
• Passed in the House (94 to 2) on April 6, 2007. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Received in the Senate on April 17, 2007. Passed in the Senate (41 to 7) on April 17, 2007. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire on May 8, 2007.