Except as otherwise provided in this title or §§ 10–14A–03 and 10–14B–03 of the State Government Article, an individual shall be licensed by the Commission as a home inspector before the individual may provide home inspection services in the State. This title does not apply to: an individual who is employed as a building code enforcement official by the State or a political subdivision of the State, while acting within the scope of that employment; an individual who is employed as a federal or State inspector, while acting within the scope of that employment; a plumber, electrician, professional engineer, real estate appraiser, real estate broker or agent, or heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration contractor who is licensed in the State, while acting within the scope of that license; a roofer, general contractor, remodeler, or structural pest control specialist, while acting within the scope of that occupation; or any other professional whose services may be required in the building or remodeling of real property and who does not claim to be a licensed home inspector.

To qualify for a license as a home inspector, an applicant must be an individual who meets the requirements of this section. Prior to July 1, 2002, an applicant for a home inspector license shall: meet two of the following conditions: have completed a minimum of 48 hours of an on-site training course approved by a national home inspection organization or the Commission; have completed a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience, as determined by the Commission, immediately preceding the submission of an application; have completed at least 100 home inspections for compensation; or submit proof of full membership in or certification by one of the following national home inspection organizations: American Society of Home Inspectors; or National Association of Home Inspectors; have a high school diploma or its equivalent; have general liability insurance in an amount not less than $50,000; submit to the Commission an application on the form that the Commission provides; and pay to the Commission an application fee of $50.

An applicant for a home inspector license shall: have completed a minimum of 72 hours of an on–site training course approved by a national home inspection organization and the Commission that at a minimum requires successful completion of the National Home Inspector Examination or its equivalent as determined by the Commission; have a high school diploma or its equivalent; have insurance as required under § 16–4A–04 of this title; submit to the Commission an application on the form that the Commission provides; and pay to the Commission an application fee set by the Commission.

Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, subject to the licensing provisions of this section, the Commission may issue a license by reciprocity under this section for an applicant who is licensed to provide home inspection services in another state. The Commission may issue a license by reciprocity under this section for an applicant who is licensed to provide home inspection services in another state only if the applicant: pays to the Commission an application fee as set by the Commission; and provides adequate evidence that the applicant: meets the qualifications otherwise required by this subtitle; holds an active license in good standing from the other state; became licensed in the other state after meeting, in that or another state, requirements that were at least equivalent to those then required by the laws of this State; or at the time of the application for a license by reciprocity under this section, the applicant meets the requirements currently required by the laws of this State. Subject to the licensing provisions in this section, the Commission may issue a license by reciprocity to provide home inspection services to an individual who satisfies to the Commission that the applicant is qualified based on a combination of comparable education, training, and experience in providing home inspection services.

If an applicant qualifies for a home inspector license under this title, the Commission shall send the applicant a notice that states: the applicant has qualified for the license; and the Commission will issue the home inspector license to an applicant upon receipt of a license fee set by the Commission.

While a home inspector license is in effect, it authorizes the licensee to provide home inspection services.

Unless a license is renewed for a 2–year term as provided in this section, the license expires on a staggered basis as determined by the Secretary. At least 1 month before a license expires, the Commission shall mail or electronically transmit to the licensee: a renewal application form; and a notice that states: the date on which the current license expires; and the amount of the renewal fee. If an electronic transmission under paragraph (1) of this subsection is returned to the Commission as undeliverable, the Commission shall mail to the licensee, at the last known address of the licensee, the materials required under paragraph (1) of this subsection within 10 business days of the date the Commission received the notice that the electronic transmission was undeliverable. Before a license expires, the licensee may renew it for an additional 2–year term, if the licensee: otherwise is entitled to be licensed; pays to the Commission a renewal fee set by the Commission; submits a renewal application on the form that the Commission provides; and submits proof of compliance with the insurance requirement of § 16–4A–04 of this title. The Commission shall renew the license of and issue a license to each licensee who meets the requirements of this section. The Commission shall adopt regulations to require a demonstration of continuing professional competency of up to 30 educational hours for a licensee as a condition of renewal of a license under this section in accordance with paragraphs (2) through (6) of this subsection. Continuing professional competency requirements do not apply to the first renewal of a license. If a license expires on or before September 30, 2013, a licensee is not required to fulfill the continuing professional competency requirements. If a license expires between October 1, 2013, and September 30, 2014, a licensee is required to fulfill 50% of the continuing professional competency requirements as provided in the regulations adopted by the Commission under this subsection. If a license expires on or after October 1, 2014, a licensee is required to fulfill the full continuing professional competency requirements as provided in the regulations adopted by the Commission under this subsection. Educational hours from a continuing professional competency course satisfy the requirement of paragraph (1) of this subsection if: the course is offered by: the American Society of Home Inspectors; the National Association of Home Inspectors; or any other provider approved by the Commission; and the Commission determines that the course increases the licensee’s knowledge of the provision of home inspection services, including one or more components of an existing residential building.

The Commission shall reinstate the license of an individual who has failed to renew a license for any reason if the individual: applies to the Commission for reinstatement within 5 years after the license expires; meets the renewal requirements under § 16–3A–07 of this subtitle; and in addition to the renewal fee required under § 16–3A–07 of this subtitle, pays to the Commission a reinstatement fee set by the Commission. The Commission may not reinstate the license of an individual who for any reason fails to apply for reinstatement within 5 years after the license has expired.