InspectDayLicense
Iowa home inspector license
Iowa does not license home inspectors, and under section 558A.4A of the Iowa Code, an independent home inspection report may be issued by a home inspector, a person licensed in good standing in another state, an Iowa-licensed architect, or an Iowa-licensed professional engineer.
Iowa's Code section on home inspection reports, checked on
- Who licenses
- Iowa has no home inspector license. Section 558A.4A of the Iowa Code sets who may issue an independent home inspection report.
- Who may issue a report
- A home inspector, a person licensed or registered in good standing to perform home inspections in another state, an architect licensed in Iowa, or a professional engineer licensed in Iowa.
- Home inspector
- A member in good standing of a national home inspectors association, or a person supervised by such a member who takes responsibility for that person's reports.
- Association
- The statute names no association. A qualifying association is nonprofit and not a franchise. It has members in more than ten states, requires more than 100 inspections and a psychometrically sound examination for full membership, and requires its members to follow a code of conduct and attend continuing education.
- Insurance
- Errors and omissions and general liability insurance of at least $100,000 per occurrence and $500,000 in the aggregate, with deductibles of no more than $2,500. Keep it for at least one year after the latest report you deliver.
- The report
- Written. It describes the scope of the inspection, including the structural elements, systems and subsystems covered, and each material defect noted, with any recommendation that experts be retained and any corrective action that should be taken. A material defect that poses an unreasonable risk to people on the property is identified conspicuously. The report sets out the four statements below, conspicuously and word for word. A repair cost estimate may appear only as a range, with its source named and a statement that the parties should consider obtaining an estimate from a contractor who performs the type of repair involved.
- Required statement
- “A home inspection is intended to assist in evaluation of the overall condition of the dwelling. The inspection is based on observation of the visible and apparent condition of the structure and its components on the date of inspection.”
- Required statement
- “The results of this home inspection are not intended to make any representation regarding the presence or absence of latent or concealed defects that are not reasonably ascertainable in a competently performed home inspection. No warranty or guarantee is expressed or implied.”
- Required statement
- “If the person conducting your home inspection is not a licensed structural engineer or other professional whose license authorizes the rendering of an opinion as to the structural integrity of a building or its other component parts, you may be advised to seek a professional opinion as to any defects or concerns mentioned in the report.”
- Required statement
- “The home inspection report is not to be construed as an appraisal and may not be used as such for any purpose.”
- Penalties
- Practicing without the required insurance, or falsely claiming to be a home inspector or another listed professional, is a simple misdemeanor for a first offense and a serious misdemeanor after that. A report that omits required content is a simple misdemeanor with a fine of up to $500. Certain conflicts of interest and contingent fees are unlawful practice under section 714.16 of the Iowa Code.