January/February 2017

PE Report
Virginia PEs Oppose Additional License for Home Inspections

The Virginia Society of Professional Engineers is seeking legislation to reverse a new regulation that will require PEs to obtain an additional license to perform home inspections. VSPE believes professional engineers should be exempt from the requirement because their education supersedes the education and training of home inspectors.

Currently, Virginia home inspectors must be certified, but PEs are exempt from the requirement. Last March, however, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe approved legislation requiring home inspectors to be licensed by the Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors. The law, which does not exempt PEs, takes effect on July 1, 2017. Under the new law, a home inspection involves a written evaluation of the readily accessible components of a residential building. This includes heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical systems; structural components; foundation; roof; masonry structure; exterior and interior components; and other related residential housing components.

VSPE is working with a member of the Virginia General Assembly to introduce a bill that will reinstate the home inspection exemption for licensed professional engineers. The original intent of the regulation change, says the society, was to elevate home inspection services to be performed by “licensed” inspectors versus “certified” inspectors. It’s VSPE’s position that language in the commonwealth’s code adequately defines the term “professional engineer.” The code determines that a person is qualified to practice engineering through special knowledge and application of the principles of engineering analysis and design acquired through engineering education and experience. The competence of this individual is confirmed by the state licensing board when he or she is awarded licensure as a professional engineer.

NSPE’s Position on Certifications

Over the years, NSPE and its state societies have actively opposed attempts to enact any local, state, or federal legislation or rule that would mandate certification in lieu of or beyond licensure as a legal requirement for the performance of engineering services. NSPE’s position is that professional engineering licensure is the only qualification for engineering practice. Following licensure as a professional engineer, individuals may voluntarily have their expertise in a specified field of engineering recognized through an appropriate specialty certification program. Such certification must not imply that other licensed professional engineers are less qualified for practice in a particular field of specialty.