HILB - Apply for License

Predetermination of Criminal History and Appeals Process

The Board's Application Evaluation Committee may make predeterminations for applicants with a criminal history per N.C. Gen. Stat. 93B-8.1.

(b6) Notwithstanding any other provisions in the law, an individual with a criminal history may petition a board at any time, including before an individual starts or completes any mandatory education or training requirements, for a predetermination of whether the individual's criminal history will likely disqualify the individual from obtaining a license. This petition shall include a criminal history record report obtained by the individual from a reporting service designated by the board, the cost of which shall be borne by the applicant.

Staff decisions are reviewed by the Committee. A Board hearing may be requested if aggrieved by any final decision.

N.C. Gen. Stat. 143-151.53 and Board Rule 11 NCAC 08 .1010 set forth the denial and appeal process.  

Criminal History

Criminal History
The board requires applicants to disclose and consent to a criminal history record check pursuant to G.S. 143-151.56(a)(5). Applicants may obtain and submit a nationwide criminal history record check from any reputable governmental or commercial provider that offers comprehensive national criminal background screening services.  Please note that some commercial providers offer only a report containing the results of a search of public records.  These public records reports alone often do not provide a complete summary of an applicant’s criminal history records.  The resources linked below provide acceptable nationwide criminal history record checks, and are provided solely as optional convenience resources and are not required or endorsed as the exclusive means of obtaining a criminal history record check for licensure purposes.

• U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Criminal Record Check

In accordance with G.S. 93B-8.1, the following factors are considered by the Board when making a determination of whether to grant licensure to an applicant with a criminal history: 

• The level and seriousness of the crime.
• The date of the crime.
• The age of the person at the time of the crime.
• The circumstances surrounding the commission of the crime, if known
• The nexus between the criminal conduct and the prospective duties of the applicant as a licensee.
• The prison, jail, probation, parole, rehabilitation, and employment records of the applicant since the date the crime was committed.
• The completion of, or active participation in, rehabilitative drug or alcohol treatment.
• A Certificate of Relief granted pursuant to G.S. 15A-173.2.
• The subsequent commission of a crime by the applicant.
• Any affidavits or other written documents, including character references.

Referred Applications 

Applications may be referred to the Application Evaluation Committee and the North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure Board if the application meets one or more of the following criteria:

• General Contractor License Qualifier [license is in a company name].
• Licensed Home Inspector from Out-of-State.
• Work Experience being used to qualify.  Rule: .1004 Equivalent Experience
• Has ever been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere (no contest) to any misdemeanor or to any felony? The board requires applicants to disclose and consent to a criminal history record check pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 93B-8.1 . Applicants must provide a national criminal history records check.
• Has ever been denied a license, had a license suspended or revoked, or been disciplined in any other manner by an occupational or professional licensing board in North Carolina or another state. If there are any pending disciplinary actions against you at a licensing board.
• Reasons deemed applicable for Committee and Board approval or denial.

The Application Evaluation Committee and the North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure Board meet quarterly with dates listed at the following link:  https://www.ncosfm.gov/licensing-cert/home-inspector-licensure-board-hilb/hilb-meeting-dates .

A referred application is to be brought to the Committee and Board for review, recommendation, and a vote of approval or denial to sit for the NC Home Inspector Licensure Exam.

Upon the Boards decision applicants will be notified. 

Military Service member, veteran, spouse applicant information

North Carolina is a military friendly state with installations representing all services as shown in the insert map.  Some 30 states regulate the occupation of home inspections for compensation through licensure. Some 20 others do not. While the NCHILB regulations allow for reciprocity, the Board acknowledges this may not be an option for members of the military and their spouses who frequently relocate.

The Board also recognizes that some military education, training, testing and duty assignments – as evidenced by Military Occupational Specialties designations that may be unique to each service – may be credited as equivalent to education and experience required to perform home inspections for compensation in North Carolina.