Chapter SPS 131

Chapter SPS 131

HOME INSPECTORS

Subchapter I — General Provisions

SPS 131.01   Authority.

SPS 131.02   Definitions.

SPS 131.03   Applicability.

Subchapter II — Applications

SPS 131.11   Application for home inspector registration.

SPS 131.113   Reciprocity, generally.

SPS 131.115   Reciprocity for service members, former service members, and their spouses.

SPS 131.12   License renewal.

SPS 131.13   Late renewal.

SPS 131.14   Reinstatement of license.

SPS 131.15   Denial of registration.

Subchapter III — Examinations

SPS 131.21   Examination requirements.

SPS 131.22   Examination grade.

SPS 131.23   Examination review.

SPS 131.24   Reexamination.

Subchapter IV — Standards of Practice

SPS 131.31   General requirements.

SPS 131.32   Mechanical and structural components included in a home inspection.

SPS 131.33   Contents of a home inspection report.

Subchapter V — Education Requirements

SPS 131.40   Education requirement for initial registration.

SPS 131.405   Standards for approval of pre-registration education.

SPS 131.41   Continuing education requirements for registration renewal.

SPS 131.42   Standards for continuing education training programs.

SPS 131.43   Certificate of completion, proof of attendance.

SPS 131.44   Recordkeeping.

SPS 131.45   Waiver of continuing education requirements.

Ch. SPS 131 Note Note: Chapter RL 131 was created as an emergency rule effective 11-1-98. Chapter RL 131 was renumbered chapter SPS 131 under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., Register November 2011 No. 671.

subch. I of ch. SPS 131 Subchapter I — General Provisions

SPS 131.01 SPS 131.01 Authority. The rules in this chapter are adopted pursuant to ss. 227.11 (2), 440.972, 440.973, 440.974, 440.975, 440.978, and 440.979, Stats.

SPS 131.01 History History: Cr. Register, July, 1999, No. 523, eff. 8-1-99; correction made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2011 No. 671.

SPS 131.02 SPS 131.02 Definitions. As used in ch. SPS 131:

SPS 131.02(1) (1) “Automatic safety controls” means devices designed and installed to protect systems and components from excessively high or low pressure and temperatures, excessive electrical current, loss of water, loss of ignition, fuel leaks, fire, freezing, or other similar unsafe conditions.

SPS 131.02(2) (2) “Central air conditioning” means a system which uses ducts to distribute cooling or dehumidified air to more than one room or uses pipes to distribute chilled water to heat exchangers in more than one room, and which is not plugged into an electrical convenience outlet.

SPS 131.02(3) (3) “Client” means a person who contracts with a home inspector for the purpose of a home inspection.

SPS 131.02(4) (4) “Component” means a readily accessible and observable element of a system, such as a floor or wall.

SPS 131.02(4e) (4e) “Continuing education” means the planned, professional development activities designed to contribute to the advancement, extension, and enhancement of the professional skills or knowledge of a registered home inspector.

SPS 131.02(4m) (4m) “Continuing education credit hour” means a unit of credit for a continuing education training program, where one continuing education credit hour equals 50 minutes of actual instruction in a continuing education training program.

SPS 131.02(4s) (4s) “Continuing education training program” means any course, program or activity meeting the requirements of s. SPS 131.42 and having a clear purpose and objective of maintaining, improving, or expanding the skills and knowledge relevant to the registrant’s professional practice.

SPS 131.02(5) (5) “Cosmetic” means not required for the proper operation of the essential systems and components of a home.

SPS 131.02(6) (6) “Cross connection” means any physical connection or arrangement between potable water and any source of contamination.

SPS 131.02(6m) (6m) “Defect” has the meaning given in s. 440.97 (2m), Stats.

SPS 131.02(7) (7) “Department” means the department of safety and professional services.

SPS 131.02(8) (8) “Describe” means to identify in writing a system or component by type or characteristics.

SPS 131.02(9) (9) “Dismantle” means to take apart or remove any component, device, or piece of equipment that is bolted, screwed, or otherwise fastened and which would not be taken apart or removed in the ordinary course of household maintenance.

SPS 131.02(10) (10) “Dwelling unit” means a structure or that part of a structure that is used or intended to be used as a home, residence or sleeping place by one person or by 2 or more persons who are maintaining a common household, to the exclusion of all others.

SPS 131.02(11) (11) “Functional drainage” means the emptying of a drain in a reasonable amount of time with no sign of overflow when another fixture is drained simultaneously.

SPS 131.02(12) (12) “Home inspection” means the process by which a home inspector examines the observable systems and components of improvements to residential real property that are readily accessible.

SPS 131.02(13) (13) “Home inspection report” means a written opinion of a home inspector concerning all of the following:

SPS 131.02(13)(a) (a) The condition of the improvements to residential real property that contains not more than 4 dwelling units.

SPS 131.02(13)(b) (b) The condition of mechanical and structural components of the improvements specified in par. (a).

SPS 131.02(14) (14) “Home inspector” means an individual who, for compensation, conducts a home inspection.

SPS 131.02(15) (15) “Household appliances” means washers, dryers, refrigerators, freezers, stoves, ovens, room air conditioners and other similar equipment.