SPS 131.32(11)(a)
(a) A home inspector shall observe and describe the condition of all of the following:
SPS 131.32(11)(b)
(b) A home inspector is not required to observe any of the following:
SPS 131.32 History
History: Cr.
Register, July, 1999, No. 523, eff. 8-1-99;
CR 14-010: renum. 131.32 from SPS 134.03
Register August 2014 No. 704, eff. 9-1-14.
SPS 131.33
SPS 131.33 Contents of a home inspection report. SPS 131.33(1)(1)
After completing a home inspection, a home inspector shall submit a written report to a client that does all of the following:
SPS 131.33(1)(bm)
(bm) States the property address, the name of the home inspector who conducted the home inspection, the date of the home inspection, the names of the individuals who prepared the report, the date the report was prepared, and, if applicable, the date the report was revised.
SPS 131.33(1)(d)
(d) Describes any defect that is detected by the home inspector during his or her home inspection. A home inspector shall use the term “defect” in describing a condition in the written report required under this subsection if the home inspector believes the condition satisfies the definition of “defect” under s.
440.97 (2m), Stats.
SPS 131.33(1)(e)
(e) Lists any material adverse facts that a home inspector has knowledge of or has observed.
SPS 131.33(1)(f)
(f) A summary page that includes at least all of the following:
SPS 131.33(1)(f)1.
1. A list of conditions, labeled as defects, that are observed under par.
(d) to be defects.
SPS 131.33(1)(f)2.
2. Other than items labeled as defects, a listing of components needing repairs, components needing further evaluation, items to monitor, and maintenance items.
SPS 131.33(1)(f)3.
3. References to the page, heading, or item number in the full written report for further information.
SPS 131.33(2)
(2) A home inspector is not required to report on any of the following aspects of items identified in s.
SPS 131.32:
SPS 131.33(2)(c)
(c) The method of making any repair or correction, the materials needed for any repair or correction, or the cost of any repair or correction.
SPS 131.33(2)(d)
(d) The suitability for any specialized use of an improvement to residential real property.
SPS 131.33(2)(e)
(e) Whether they comply with applicable regulatory requirements.
SPS 131.33(4)
(4) A home inspector is not required to retain inspectors or investigators to perform follow-up inspections or investigations of any material adverse facts that a home inspector has knowledge of or has observed under sub.
(1) (d).
SPS 131.33 History
History: Cr.
Register, July, 1999, No. 523, eff. 8-1-99; correction in (1) (a), (b), (c), (d), (2) (intro.) made under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register November 2011 No. 671;
CR 14-010: renum. 131.33 from SPS 134.04 and am. (1) (a), (b)
Register August 2014 No. 704, eff. 9-1-14; corrections in (1) (c), (d), (2) (intro.) made under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register August 2014 No. 704;
EmR1822: emerg. am. (1) (d), cr. (2m), (3m) eff. 9-23-18;
CR 18-076: am. (1) (d), cr. (2m), (3m)
Register May 2019 No. 761, eff. 6-1-19;
EmR2202: emerg. cr. (1) (bm), r. and recr. (1) (d), cr. (1) (f), r. (2m), (3m), eff. 1-15-22; CR 22-004: cr. (1) (bm), r. and recr. (1) (d), cr. (1) (f), r. (2m), (3m) Register June 2023 No. 810, eff. 7-1-23; correction in (1) (f) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 4., Stats., Register June 2023 No. 810. SPS 131.40
SPS 131.40 Education requirement for initial registration. An applicant for registration as a home inspector must have completed at least 40 hours of pre-registration instruction approved by the department under s.
SPS 131.405.
SPS 131.40 History
History: EmR2202: emerg. cr., eff. 1-15-22: CR 22-004: cr. Register June 2023 No. 810, eff. 7-1-23.
SPS 131.405
SPS 131.405 Standards for approval of pre-registration education. An acceptable pre-registration instruction program shall meet all of the following criteria:
SPS 131.405(1)
(1) Include instruction in an organized method of learning contributing directly to the professional competency of the registrant and pertaining to subject matters that significantly relate to the practice of home inspection.
SPS 131.405(2)
(2) Include at least 20 hours of hands-on training in the performance of home inspections and drafting of home inspection reports.
SPS 131.405(3)
(3) Be conducted by individuals or entities which have specialized education, training, or experience in the subject matter of home inspections.
SPS 131.405(4)
(4) Provide a record evidencing completion of the training program that shall include all of the following:
SPS 131.405 History
History: EmR2202: emerg. cr., eff. 1-15-22: CR 22-004: cr. Register June 2023 No. 810, eff. 7-1-23.
SPS 131.41
SPS 131.41 Continuing education requirements for registration renewal. SPS 131.41(1)(1)
Except as provided in sub.
(2), every registered home inspector shall complete a minimum of 40 continuing education credit hours during each biennial registration period.
SPS 131.41(2)
(2) A registrant is not required to complete continuing education credit hours between initial registration and the conclusion of the second registration renewal period.
SPS 131.41(3)(a)(a) If a registrant fails to satisfy the continuing education requirements provided in sub.
(1) within a biennial registration period, continuing education credit hours acquired on or after December 15 of any even-numbered year will be first applied to the preceding biennium until the requirement is fulfilled. Continuing education credit hours may not apply to more than one biennium.
SPS 131.41(3)(b)
(b) A registrant who fails to meet the continuing education requirements provided in sub.
(1) by December 14 of any even-numbered year may not engage in the practice of home inspection until the registration is renewed, except as provided in s.
SPS 131.45.
SPS 131.41(4)
(4) Continuing education credit hours shall be obtained through any of the following means:
SPS 131.41(4)(a)
(a) Attending seminars, corporate in-house courses, workshops, or professional or technical presentations made at meetings, conventions, or conferences meeting the requirements of s.
SPS 131.42. Attendance may be in person or via remote classroom where a provider is available to participate to comment and answer questions.
SPS 131.41(4)(b)
(b) Teaching a continuing education training program. Fifty minutes of actual instruction is equivalent to one continuing education credit hour. No additional continuing education credit hours will be granted for subsequent presentations of identical material.
SPS 131.41(4)(c)
(c) Participating in a continuing education training program that does not meet in person including the completion of interactive short courses or tutorials, delivery of educational programs and courses on CD-ROM or the Internet, webinars, or correspondence courses.
SPS 131.41(5)
(5) A registrant may only receive credit for the initial attendance of a continuing education training program during a biennium. A registrant may not receive additional continuing education credit hours for repeated attendance at a continuing education training program during a biennium.
SPS 131.41(6)
(6) A registrant may not receive continuing education credit hours for work completed as part of the registrant's regular duties as a home inspector.
SPS 131.41 History
History: CR 14-010: cr.
Register August 2014 No. 704, eff. 9-1-14;
EmR2202: emerg. am. (2), eff. 1-15-22: CR 22-004: am. (2) Register June 2023 No. 810, eff. 7-1-23.
SPS 131.42
SPS 131.42 Standards for continuing education training programs. An acceptable continuing education training program shall meet all of the following criteria:
SPS 131.42(1)
(1) Include instruction in an organized method of learning contributing directly to the professional competency of the registrant and pertaining to subject matters that significantly relate to the practice of home inspection. The instruction shall include amplification, evaluation, examples, and explanation of the course subject matter to the licensee.
SPS 131.42(2)
(2) Be conducted by individuals or entities which have specialized education, training, or experience in the subject matter of the program.
SPS 131.42(3)
(3) Provide attendance or completion verification records in the form of certificates of completion evidencing attendance at, or completion of, the continuing education training program. A certificate of completion shall include all of the following:
SPS 131.42 History
History: CR 14-010: cr.
Register August 2014 No. 704, eff. 9-1-14; correction in numbering in (3) (a) to (g) made under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats.,
Register August 2014 No. 704, eff. 9-1-14.
SPS 131.43
SPS 131.43 Certificate of completion, proof of attendance. SPS 131.43(1)(1)
Each registrant shall certify on the registration renewal application that he or she has fully complied with the continuing education requirements of this subchapter.
SPS 131.43(3)
(3) If evidence of compliance is required by the department or its designee, the registrant shall submit the requested information within 30 business days of receiving written notice. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.
SPS 131.43 History
History: CR 14-010: cr.
Register August 2014 No. 704, eff. 9-1-14;
EmR2202: emerg. r. (2), eff. 1-15-22; CR 22-004: r. (2) Register June 2023 No. 810, eff. 7-1-23.
SPS 131.44
SPS 131.44 Recordkeeping. A registrant shall obtain a certificate of completion from the program provider for each continuing education training program completed. The registrant shall retain the certificate of completion and any other required, related documentation for a minimum of 5 years.
SPS 131.44 History
History: CR 14-010: cr.
Register August 2014 No. 704, eff. 9-1-14.
SPS 131.45
SPS 131.45 Waiver of continuing education requirements. SPS 131.45(1)(1)
A renewal applicant who is actively practicing in the profession and is unable to fully comply with the continuing education requirements due to temporary, extreme hardship, as determined by the department, may submit a written request for a waiver or a written request for an extension of time to complete the continuing education requirements. The department will review the request, and in its sole discretion may grant a full or partial waiver, or an extension of time to comply with the requirements.
SPS 131.45(2)
(2) A renewal applicant who prior to the expiration date of the registration submits a request for a waiver and provides a written statement setting forth the basis for the request, shall be deemed to be in good standing until the final decision on the request
is made by the department. If the waiver is denied and the registration has expired, the applicant shall immediately discontinue engaging in the practice of home inspection until the applicant meets the requirements of s.
SPS 131.41 and submits evidence of compliance to the department.
SPS 131.45(3)
(3) A renewal applicant may not receive a waiver under this section for 2 consecutive biennia.
SPS 131.45 History
History: CR 14-010: cr.
Register August 2014 No. 704, eff. 9-1-14.
