FAQs

Anyone who wishes to conduct inspections of residential buildings on behalf of a client for a fee in Rhode Island. Effective January 1, 2020, all Home Inspectors/Associate Home Inspectors must be licensed. 

"Home inspection" means an inspection and a written evaluation of the following readily visible and accessible components of a residential building: heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical systems, structural components, foundation, roof, masonry structure, exterior and interior components, and any other related residential housing components, unless the scope of the inspection is otherwise clearly limited, in writing, in the inspection report.

No, this license grants authority only for the home inspection. To conduct other services, you will need to be licensed or certified through the agencies that regulate the services, such as the Department of Health or the Department of Environmental Management.

1. Any person who is employed by a governmental agency or public body and acting within the scope of that government employment;
2. Any person regulated by the state as an architect, professional engineer, electrical contractor, or master plumber who is acting within the scope of practice of his or her profession or occupation;
3. Any state-licensed real estate broker, broker-salesperson, or salesperson, who is acting within the scope of his or her profession;
4. Any state-licensed real estate appraiser or certified general or residential real estate appraiser, who is acting within the scope of his or her profession;
5. Any person regulated by the state as an insurance adjuster who is acting within the scope of his or her profession;
6. Any person certified or registered as a pesticide applicator who is acting within the scope of his or her profession;
7. Any person performing an inspection under the supervision of a licensed home inspector for the purpose of meeting the requirements of § 5-65.1-5(3) to qualify for licensure as an associate home inspector;
8. Any person registered/licensed as a contractor in good standing in any state acting within the scope of his or her occupation and experience; and
9. Any person conducting real estate inspections as a part of the insurance underwriting process.