(a) General requirements.

1. (1) All persons who advertise as a home inspector or perform or attempt to perform a home inspection for a fee in the State of Arkansas shall first register with the State Board of Appraisers, Abstracters, and Home Inspectors and comply with the Arkansas Home Inspectors Registration Act, Arkansas Code § 17-52-301 et seq., and this part.

2. (2) Every applicant for registration as a home inspector shall have the following qualifications:

   1. (A) The applicant shall have a good reputation for honesty, truthfulness, and fair dealing, and be competent to transact the business of a registered home inspector in such a manner as to safeguard the interests of the public;
   2. (B) The applicant shall meet the current educational and experience requirements for registration prior to the time he or she applies to sit for the registration exam;
   3. (C) The applicant shall not have a criminal record as described in 17 CAR § 200-103(d); and
   4. (D) The applicant shall be at least eighteen (18) years old and shall have received a high school diploma or its equivalent.
3. (3) In addition to those qualifications listed in subdivision (a)(2) of this section, a nonresident applicant shall be in good standing as a home inspector in every jurisdiction where registered.

4. (4)

   1. (A) All applications for registration, renewal, or reinstatement shall be made on forms provided by the board and completed and signed by the applicant.
   2. (B) The application shall be made under oath.
   3. (C) All applications shall include the appropriate fees.
   4. (D) The board shall not consider an application which is incomplete or for which the correct fees have not been submitted.
5. (5) The board may require each applicant for registration to furnish, at his or her expense, a recent passport type photograph of himself or herself, as well as any other information or form of identification deemed necessary by the board to determine the applicant’s qualifications for registration.
6. (6) The board reserves the right, at its discretion, to hold for a reasonable length of time for investigation, the application of any applicant before issuing a registration.

(b) Exemption from registration:

1. (1) A person who by virtue of his or her employment by a public entity does home inspection work for that agency shall not be required to be registered as a home inspector if the inspections are conducted:

   1. (A) Solely for the benefit of that entity; and
   2. (B) For no compensation other than the employee’s salary;
2. (2) Any person holding a valid registration, certificate, or license issued by the state if the person’s activity is limited to the activity authorized by his or her registration, certificate, or license;
3. (3) A person who inspects his or her home; or
4. (4) A public entity that inspects its residential units with its own personnel specifically trained for the home inspection.

(c) Initial application requirements. An applicant for an initial home inspector registration shall submit:

1. (1) A completed application for registration;
2. (2) A certificate of course completion from a qualifying education course provider approved by the board pursuant to 17 CAR § 200-502;
3. (3) The applicant’s passing examination score from a test provider approved by the board pursuant to 17 CAR § 200-502;
4. (4) A certificate of liability insurance pursuant to 17 CAR § 200-503;

5. (5) If applicable, other state or local:

   1. (A) Licensure;
   2. (B) Certification;
   3. (C) Registration; or
   4. (D) Permit; and
6. (6) A nonrefundable fee pursuant to 17 CAR § 200-510.

(d) Certificates of registration.

1. (1) The board shall issue to each registered holder a certificate in a form as shall be prescribed by the board.

2. (2) The certificate shall show:

   1. (A) The name of the registered holder;
   2. (B) A certificate number assigned by the board; and
   3. (C) Any other matters as shall be prescribed by the board.
3. (3) Certificates of registration of a home inspector shall be issued for a period of at least one (1) year.
4. (4) Certificates of registration shall be maintained in sound, fully legible condition and shall be replaced as necessary.
5. (5) The registered holder shall have the certificate at the inspection site and shall present it to anyone who may request to see it.

(e) Effective date.

1. (1) Initial certificates of registration are valid until December 31 of the calendar year following the issuance of the initial certificate of registration.

2. (2)

   1. (A) Renewal certificates of registration are issued on a calendar year basis extending from January 1 through December 31.
   2. (B) For example, an applicant who receives a certificate of registration on March 1, 2023, would hold a valid license until December 31, 2024, at which time the holder would submit a renewal application and receive a certificate of registration for the following calendar year extending from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.