(a) An applicant, who is applying for licensure as a home inspector under this chapter, for the relevant license, shall submit evidence, verified by oath and satisfactory to the Board, that such person:

(1) Has successfully completed high school or its equivalent;

(2) Has passed a written, standardized examination as designated by the Board;

(3) Has acquired the required training and experience requirements for licensure as may be established by the Board, including any educational courses of study as established by the Board;

(4) Shall not have been the recipient of any administrative penalties regarding that applicant’s practice as a home inspector, including but not limited to fines, formal reprimands, license suspensions or revocation, (except for license revocations for nonpayment of license renewal fees), probationary limitations, and/or has not entered into any “consent agreements” which contain conditions placed by a Board on that applicant’s professional conduct and practice, including any voluntary surrender of a license. The Board may determine after a hearing or review of documentation whether such administrative penalty is grounds to deny licensure;

(5) Shall not have any impairment related to drugs or alcohol that would limit the applicant’s ability to act as a home inspector in a manner consistent with the safety of the public;

(6) Shall not have been convicted of a crime that is substantially related to the practice of home inspection; however, after a hearing or review of documentation demonstrating that the applicant meets the specified criteria for a waiver, the Board, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum, may waive this paragraph (a)(6), if it finds all of the following:

a. For waiver of a felony conviction, more than 5 years have elapsed since the date of conviction. At the time of the application the applicant may not be incarcerated, on work release, on probation, on parole, or serving any part of a suspended sentence and must be in substantial compliance with all court orders pertaining to fines, restitution and community service;

b. For waiver of a misdemeanor conviction or violation, at the time of the application the applicant may not be incarcerated, on work release, on probation, on parole or serving any part of a suspended sentence and must be in substantial compliance with all court orders pertaining to fines, restitution and community service;

c. The applicant is capable of practicing home inspection in a competent and professional manner; and

d. The granting of the waiver will not endanger the public health, safety or welfare.

(7) Has no disciplinary proceedings or unresolved complaints pending against the applicant in any jurisdiction where the applicant has previously been or currently is licensed, certified, or registered.

(8) Has provided evidence that the applicant or the applicant’s employer has and will maintain liability and errors and omissions insurance in the form and minimum amount to be determined by the Board in its rules and regulations.

(b) Where the Board has found to its satisfaction that an applicant has been intentionally fraudulent, or that false information has been intentionally supplied, it shall report its findings to the Attorney General for further action.

(c) Where the application of a person that is not under investigation in this or any other jurisdiction has been refused or rejected and such applicant feels that the Board has acted without justification, has imposed higher or different standards for the applicant than for other applicants, registrants, or licensees, or has in some other manner contributed to or caused the failure of such application, the applicant may appeal to the Superior Court.

(d) A person already engaged in the business of performing home inspections as of August 6, 2013, is allowed until November 4, 2013, to comply with the provisions of this chapter for the purpose of qualifying to perform home inspections. Such person will qualify for a license without being required to satisfy paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of this section if such person can document to the satisfaction of the Board that he or she has conducted not fewer than 250 home inspections in Delaware for compensation or has been engaged in the practice of home inspection for compensation for not fewer than 5 years prior to August 6, 2013. Nothing in this subsection (d) shall exempt a licensed home inspector from complying with any continuing education requirements for licensed home inspectors as may be established by the Board.

78 Del. Laws, c. 170, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 79 Del. Laws, c. 126, § 1.