This section does not apply to applicants for a home inspector's license who are actively licensed in another jurisdiction or were so licensed in the preceding six months in accordance with WAC 308-408A-040.

(1) Any person desiring to take an examination for a home inspector's license, except applicants who have received clock hours in another jurisdiction that have not been approved by the department, or applicants who are requesting substitution of clock hours per WAC 308-408A-050, shall telephone the testing service up to one day prior to the desired test date to schedule and pay for an examination by cashier's check, certified check, money order, credit card, debit card, e-checks, or money voucher to the testing service. On the day of the examination, the candidate shall submit a completed examination application that has been approved by the department to the testing service. This approval is valid for six months from the date of the approval letter. If the approval expires, the candidate must apply to be reapproved. Approval is granted upon successful completion of a one hundred twenty hour course in fundamentals of home inspection and proof of forty hours of field training approved by the department. The candidate must pass a course examination approved by the director. This course and the required field training must be completed within two years prior to applying for the home inspector's license examination.

(2) The candidate will be able to schedule an examination date up to one day prior to their desired test date. Candidates requesting a morning or afternoon test session will be scheduled immediately for an examination and will be provided with a registration number confirming their reservation. On the day of the examination, the candidate shall submit the verified examination application document to the testing service approved by the department.

(3) A candidate shall be assessed the full examination fee for any examination in which the candidate fails to provide two days' notice to the testing service for changing their examination date or for failing to arrive and take a scheduled examination at the time the examination is scheduled or rescheduled.

Examination results are valid for one year only. Any person who has passed the examination for home inspector licensure must become licensed within one year from the date of such examination. Failure to comply with this provision will necessitate the taking and passing of another examination.

(1) Any person applying for a home inspector examination who has been licensed and actively practices as a home inspector for two years in the last four years in another jurisdiction that meets or exceeds the requirements under chapter 18.280 RCW and has maintained his or her license in good standing is eligible to take the Washington state portion of the examination.

(2) Any person applying to take the examination under this section shall submit an examination application approved by the department and shall submit evidence of licensure in good standing in another jurisdiction by a license verification form completed by an administrative officer of the licensure authority in such jurisdiction.

(3) After the qualifications for the examination have been verified by the department the candidate shall contact the testing service up to one day prior to the desired test date to schedule and pay for an examination. Candidates requesting a morning or afternoon test session shall be scheduled immediately for an examination and will be provided with a registration number confirming their reservation. On the day of the examination, the candidate shall submit at the test site the verified examination application.

(1) The director may allow for substitution of the clock hour requirements in RCW 18.280.070 if the individual is otherwise and similarly qualified by reason of completion of equivalent educational coursework in any institution of higher education or degree granting institution. Proof of a minimum of sixty hours of fundamentals of home inspection will qualify for a supplemental course to meet the one hundred twenty hour requirement.

(2) Individuals requesting approval of equivalent educational coursework shall submit a transcript of coursework completed from an institution of higher education or a degree granting institution together with an application for the license examination. The department may also require certification from an authorized representative of the institution of higher education or degree granting institution that the coursework satisfies the department's prescribed course content or curriculum and offered through classroom instruction for a given course(s).

(1) To pass the home inspector examination a minimum scaled score of seventy is required on each portion. The home inspector examination shall consist of two portions:

(a) The national portion consisting of questions that test general home inspector practices; and

(b) The state portion consisting of questions that test on Washington laws and rules for home inspector licensing.

(2) A passing score for either portion of an examination shall be valid for a period not to exceed one year from the date of testing.

An applicant who has failed the full or any portion of the examination or failed to appear for a scheduled examination may apply for reexamination, provided the required reexamination fee is submitted. An applicant who has failed the full or any portion of the examination or failed to appear for a scheduled examination may apply for reexamination by contacting the testing service to schedule and pay for an examination by cashier's check, certified check, money order, credit card, debit card, e-checks, or money voucher to the testing service approved by the department.

(1) Each applicant will be required to present one piece of positive identification which bears a photograph of the applicant. Failure to produce the required identification will result in the applicant being refused admission to the examination.

(2) Applicants will be required to refrain from:

(a) Talking to other examinees during the examination unless specifically directed or permitted to do so by a test monitor;

(b) Attempting to communicate or record any information;

(c) Using unauthorized materials during any portion of the examination;

(d) Removing test materials and/or notes from the testing room; and

(e) Disruptive behavior.

(3) Applicants who participate in any activity listed in subsection (2) of this section will be required to turn in their test materials to the test monitor and leave the examination site. Their opportunity to sit for the examination will be forfeited. Their answer sheet will be voided. A voided answer sheet will not be scored and the examination fee will not be refunded. A candidate must then reapply to take the examination.

(4) Any applicant who was removed from the testing site for any of the reasons listed in subsection (2) of this section will be required to submit a letter to the department requesting permission to retest and stating the circumstances of the event. After receipt of the applicant's letter, the department will review the proctor's report and the applicant's letter and may deny testing for up to one year.

These fees are applicable to all original licenses, examination services, and fee generating services. The following fees shall be charged by professional licensing services of the department of licensing:

The minimum requirements for a home inspector to be issued the renewal of a license are that the home inspector:

(1) Has furnished proof of successful completion of twenty-four hours in instruction in courses approved by the board.

(2) Submit a renewal fee.

(3) If the application for a renewal is not received by the director on or before the renewal date, a penalty fee as prescribed by the director by rule shall be paid.

(4) The license of any person whose license renewal fee is not received within one year from the date of expiration shall be canceled. This person may obtain a new license by satisfying the procedure and requirements as prescribed by the director by rule.

Any person desiring to be reinstated as a licensed home inspector within two years of cancellation may have their license reinstated by satisfying either of the following options:

(1) Submission of an application to the director providing proof of the following:

(a) Successful completion of twenty-four hours of approved home inspection coursework completed within one year preceding the application for reinstatement. A minimum of three clock hours must include a course(s) in Washington home inspector laws and regulations;

(b) Payment of all back renewal fees with penalty at the current rate; and

(c) Payment of reinstatement penalty fine of one hundred fifty dollars; or

(2) Satisfy the procedures and qualifications for initial licensing, including the following:

(a) Successful completion of the home inspection licensing examination; and

(b) Successful completion of the fundamentals of home inspection course pursuant to RCW 18.280.070(2); and

(c) Proof of up to forty hours of field training supervised by a licensed home inspector as required by RCW 18.280.070(3).

(3) Former licensees canceled for nonpayment of fees for periods in excess of two years will be required to satisfy the requirements of subsection (2) of this section.

A licensee shall submit to the department evidence of satisfactory completion of clock hours, pursuant to RCW 18.280.110, in the manner and on forms prescribed by the department.

(1) A licensee applying for renewal of a license shall submit evidence of completion of twenty-four hours of instruction in a course(s) approved by the board and commenced within twenty-four months of a licensee's renewal date.

(2) The twenty-four clock hours shall be satisfied by evidence of completion of approved home inspector courses as defined in WAC 308-408B-040.

(3) Courses for continuing education clock hour credit shall be commenced after issuance of a first license.

(4) Approved courses may be repeated for continuing education credit in subsequent renewal periods.

(5) Clock hour credit for continuing education shall not be accepted if: The course is not approved pursuant to chapters 308-408B WAC and 18.280 RCW.

(6) Instructors shall not receive clock hour credit for teaching or course development.