Washington Administrative Code

This section does not apply to applicants for a home inspector's license who are actively licensed in another jurisdiction or were so licensed in the preceding six months in accordance with WAC 308-408A-040.(1) Any person desiring to take an examination for a home inspector's lic…

Examination results are valid for one year only. Any person who has passed the examination for home inspector licensure must become licensed within one year from the date of such examination. Failure to comply with this provision will necessitate the taking and passing of another…

(1) Any person applying for a home inspector examination who has been licensed and actively practices as a home inspector for two years in the last four years in another jurisdiction that meets or exceeds the requirements under chapter 18.280 RCW and has maintained his or her lic…

(1) The director may allow for substitution of the clock hour requirements in RCW 18.280.070 if the individual is otherwise and similarly qualified by reason of completion of equivalent educational coursework in any institution of higher education or degree granting institution. …

(1) To pass the home inspector examination a minimum scaled score of seventy is required on each portion. The home inspector examination shall consist of two portions:(a) The national portion consisting of questions that test general home inspector practices; and(b) The state por…

An applicant who has failed the full or any portion of the examination or failed to appear for a scheduled examination may apply for reexamination, provided the required reexamination fee is submitted. An applicant who has failed the full or any portion of the examination or fail…

(1) Each applicant will be required to present one piece of positive identification which bears a photograph of the applicant. Failure to produce the required identification will result in the applicant being refused admission to the examination.(2) Applicants will be required to…

These fees are applicable to all original licenses, examination services, and fee generating services. The following fees shall be charged by professional licensing services of the department of licensing:TITLE OF FEEFEEHome Inspector: Application/examination$300 Reexamination Fu…

The minimum requirements for a home inspector to be issued the renewal of a license are that the home inspector:(1) Has furnished proof of successful completion of twenty-four hours in instruction in courses approved by the board.(2) Submit a renewal fee.(3) If the application fo…

Any person desiring to be reinstated as a licensed home inspector within two years of cancellation may have their license reinstated by satisfying either of the following options:(1) Submission of an application to the director providing proof of the following:(a) Successful comp…

A licensee shall submit to the department evidence of satisfactory completion of clock hours, pursuant to RCW 18.280.110, in the manner and on forms prescribed by the department.(1) A licensee applying for renewal of a license shall submit evidence of completion of twenty-four ho…

(1) Any education provider or course developer must submit a course to the department for approval.(2) Course approval by the department is required prior to the date on which the course is offered for clock hour credit.(3) Each application for approval of a course shall be submi…

Any education provider desiring to offer any prescribed curriculum courses shall utilize the most recent course curriculum prescribed by the department, and shall include in its title the phrase "fundamentals of home inspection" if submitted for approval for clock hours. No other…

(1) If there are no changes for a previously approved course in the course content or in the original course approval application or WAC 308-408B-040 affecting the topic areas or criteria for approval, the course will be approved upon receipt of a course renewal application and p…

Courses shall meet one of the following requirements:(1) Be offered by a private entity; or(2) Be offered by a tax-supported, public technical or community college or other institution of higher learning that offers college credits; or(3) Be offered by the Washington home inspect…

Course materials shall be updated no later than thirty days after the effective date of a change in federal, state, or local statutes or rules. Course materials shall also be updated no later than thirty days after changes in procedures or other revisions to the practice of home …

Each education provider must issue a certificate of course completion within thirty days to students who have satisfactorily completed the course requirements. The certificate shall include the following information:(1) Student's name;(2) School's name;(3) The course commencement…

(1) Approved schools offering courses in a symposium or conference format with two or more modules of independent instruction may issue certificates of course completion for fewer clock hours than approved by the department on their original course approval application; and(2) St…

(1) The department shall have the authority on its own motion or upon complaint made to it to investigate or audit any course to determine compliance with chapter 18.280 RCW and with the rules and regulations of this chapter.(2) Complaints concerning approved courses should be ma…

Course approval may be denied or withdrawn if the instructor or any owner, administrator or affiliated representative of a school, or a course provider or developer:(1) Submits a false or incomplete course application or any other information required to be submitted to the depar…

Upon notice of course denial or disapproval or withdrawal of course approval, a person is entitled to a hearing conducted in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, chapter 34.05 RCW, and the provisions of WAC 308-408B-040. To exercise the right to a hearing under this …

(1) Each school shall maintain for a minimum of five years each student's record;(2) A "student record" shall include:(a) The name, address, and telephone number of the school;(b) Full name, address, and telephone number of the student;(c) Beginning and ending dates of attendance…

Applicants are required to submit an application for each separate distance education delivery method for which they propose to offer approved courses for clock hours. When submitting a distance education delivery method application, the following minimum criteria must be provide…

WAC 308-408C-010Violations of the following SOP and ethics are subject to disciplinary action under RCW 18.235.130.The purpose of a home inspection is to assess the condition of the residence at the time of the inspection using visual observations, simple tools and normal homeown…

WAC 308-408C-020In order to ensure the integrity and high standard of skill and practice in the home inspection profession, the following rules of conduct and ethics shall be binding upon the licensed home inspector.The home inspector must:(1) Provide home inspection services tha…

WAC 308-408C-030Inspectors are not required to:(1) Determine the condition of any system or component that is not readily accessible; the remaining service life of any system or component; the strength, adequacy, effectiveness or efficiency of any system or component; causes of a…

WAC 308-408C-040The inspector is required to maintain the following records for a period of three years:(1) Preinspection agreements signed by the client and the home inspector, including any material correspondence pertaining to the subject property, for all home inspections per…

WAC 308-408C-050A preinspection agreement is mandatory and as a minimum must contain or state:(1) Address of property.(2) Home inspector compensation.(3) Home inspector's contact information.(4) Home inspector's license number.(5) General description of what the home inspector wi…

WAC 308-408C-060A home inspector must:(1) Provide a copy of the preinspection agreement to the client or their representative prior to the inspection unless prevented by circumstances from doing so.(2) Provide the client with a copy of the home inspection report according to the …

WAC 308-408C-070An inspection of the structure will include the visible foundation; floor framing; roof framing and decking; other support and substructure/superstructure components; stairs; ventilation (when applicable); and exposed concrete slabs in inspected garages, basements…

WAC 308-408C-080An inspection of the exterior includes the visible wall coverings, trim, protective coatings and sealants, windows and doors, attached porches, decks, steps, balconies, handrails, guardrails, carports, eaves, soffits, fascias and visible exterior portions of chimn…

WAC 308-408C-090An inspection of the roof includes the roof covering materials; gutters and downspout systems; visible flashings; roof vents; skylights, and any other roof penetrations; and the portions of the chimneys and flues visible from the exterior.(1) The inspector will:• …

WAC 308-408C-100An inspection of the plumbing system includes visible water supply lines; visible waste/soil and vent lines; fixtures and faucets; domestic hot water system and fuel source.(1) The inspector will:(a) Describe the visible water supply and distribution piping materi…

WAC 308-408C-110The inspection of the electrical system includes the service drop through the service equipment; subpanels including feeders; branch circuits, connected devices, and lighting fixtures, as well as grounding and bonding of electrical components where visible/accessi…

WAC 308-408C-120The inspection of the heating system includes the fuel source; heating equipment; heating distribution; operating controls; flue pipes, chimneys and venting; auxiliary heating units.(1) The inspector will:(a) Describe the type of fuel, heating equipment, and heati…

WAC 308-408C-130The inspection of the air conditioning system includes the cooling equipment; cooling distribution equipment and the operating controls.(1) The inspector will:(a) Describe the central air conditioning system and energy sources.(b) Operate the system using normal c…

WAC 308-408C-140The inspection of the interior includes the walls, ceilings, floors, windows, and doors; steps, stairways, balconies and railings.(1) The inspector will:(a) VerifyThat steps, handrails, guardrails, stairways and landings are installed wherever necessary and report…

WAC 308-408C-150The inspection of the insulation and ventilation includes the type and condition of the insulation and ventilation in viewable unfinished attics and subgrade areas as well as the installed mechanical ventilation systems.(1) The inspector will:• Inspect the insulat…

WAC 308-408C-160Includes solid fuel and gas fireplaces, stoves, dampers, fireboxes and hearths.(1) The inspector will:• Describe fireplaces and stoves.• Inspect accessible dampers, fireboxes, and hearths.• Describe and identify any condition of these systems or components that ma…

WAC 308-408C-170The inspection of the site includes the building perimeter, land grade, and water drainage directly adjacent to the foundation; trees and vegetation that adversely affect the structure; walks, grade steps, driveways, patios, and retaining walls contiguous with the…

WAC 308-408C-180The inspection of attached garages and carports includes their framing, siding, roof, doors, windows, and installed electrical/mechanical systems pertaining to the operation of the home.(1) The inspector will:• Inspect the condition and function of the overhead ga…

(1) An entity applying for licensure as an appraisal management company shall present to the department:(a) A completed licensure application form that complies with RCW 18.310.060;(b) Completed registration forms for the owner(s) of ten percent or more of the company and control…

(1) Each original and renewal license issued under chapter 18-310 RCW shall expire one year from date of issue.(2) To be renewed as an appraisal management company, the holder of a valid license shall submit an application to include the information required in WAC 308-409-020(3)…

(1) All appraisal management companies must maintain surety bonds that conform to RCW 18.310.040 in an active status at all times during the period of licensure.(2) The bond must provide that the surety will give the department of licensing and the licensee thirty days advance no…

It is the responsibility of each licensed appraisal management company to notify the department of a change of business location and/or physical address and mailing address for receiving certified mail and service of documents. Change of address notification shall be made within …

The following fees shall be paid under the provisions of chapter 18.310 RCW:Title of FeeFeeOriginal licensure$1,200.00 Renewal600.00 Late renewal38.00 Duplicate license30.00 Fingerprint processingper vendor schedule*Appraisal management company national registry25.00 per appraise…

Appraisal management companies must retain records in accordance with RCW 18.310.130. Such records will be subject to random audit by the department without notice and must be readily available for inspection by a representative of the department.[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.310.…

(1) An appraisal management company having been issued a license shall comply with the following:(a)Shall maintain with the department the name and address of the designated controlling person for service of process and shall furnish in writing to the department any changes to th…

When engaging the appraiser, the appraisal management company shall disclose to an appraiser, within their engagement documents, the state license number of the appraisal management company.[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.310.020(1). WSR 11-24-067, § 308-409-070, filed 12/6/11, effe…

The standard of practice governing real estate appraisal activities coordinated by appraisal management companies will be the edition of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice of the Appraisal Foundation in effect on the date of the appraisal report. Appraisals …