Panel backs mandatory state licensure for home inspectors, with grandfathering

The House Regulated Industries Committee voted to give a due pass recommendation to House Bill 1305, the Home Inspector Licensing Act, which would create mandatory state licensure for home inspectors and home inspection companies. Representative Crow, sponsor of the bill, said the measure defines a home inspector and home inspection, sets standards of practice, and requires general liability and errors-and-omissions insurance.

Crow told members that Georgia currently has no licensing requirements for home inspectors and that the bill includes grandfathering for those already in the business beginning July 1, 2027. He said the board would determine the scope of criminal-background checks and consider severity and recency when making determinations. Committee members asked whether there would be a grandfather clause and how a criminal background check would be applied; the sponsor confirmed grandfathering and deferred specific disqualification criteria to the administrative board.

The committee asked follow-up questions about experience requirements and minimum insurance; sponsors and staff said there are currently no uniform standards, and the bill creates them. The committee approved the measure by voice vote; the transcript records ayes but does not include a roll-call tally.

The bill outlines a pathway to licensure and disciplinary processes; detailed board rulemaking and definitions (including any disqualification list) were left to the board and rulemaking process. The transcript does not provide the exact statutory language that would be added or specific fee amounts.