Ohio REALTORS® Continues Fight to Protect Home Inspector Licensing in Senate
By Anastasia Kotkovskaya, Director of Advocacy & Research
Ohio REALTORS® continued efforts this week to defend Ohio’s home inspector license, providing testimony before the Senate Government Oversight Committee on House Bill 59 (HB 59).
The legislation is part of the state’s occupational licensing review process, and Ohio REALTORS® used the opportunity to reinforce the critical role that the Ohio Home Inspector Board plays in protecting consumers during real estate transactions.
Homeownership is often the largest financial investment a person will make, and the home inspection process is a key step in that decision. Inspection reports help buyers understand the true condition and value of a home and can ultimately determine whether a transaction moves forward.
Before the creation of Ohio’s licensing system, there were no consistent standards for home inspectors. Unqualified inspectors could produce inaccurate reports, leaving homeowners with costly repairs and little recourse.
In 2019, Ohio REALTORS® led the effort to establish licensure for home inspectors through the passage of Senate Bill 255, creating the Ohio Home Inspector Board and a statewide standard for the profession. Today, that framework ensures inspections meet baseline qualifications and creates consistency in inspection practices. This has helped bring greater confidence and transparency to the homebuying process.
In testimony, Ohio REALTORS® urged lawmakers to maintain the current system and emphasized that it strikes the right balance between consumer protection and maintaining a strong, accessible workforce of qualified inspectors.
You can find additional information about HB 59 below:
Ohio REALTORS® Testify in Support of Home Inspector Licensure
House Bill 59 | 136th General Assembly | Ohio House of Representatives
Anastasia Kotkovskaya
Director, Advocacy & Research
Supports Ohio REALTORS®’ legislative, regulatory, and political initiatives at the Ohio Statehouse, conducting public policy research, collaborating with stakeholders, and developing advocacy resources to keep members informed of advocacy efforts. She provides regular legislative updates through Capitol Connections and The Latest Political Buzz, and hosts the Policy Talks podcast to provide insights on key political developments. She also serves as the staff liaison for the Political Advocacy Fund Committee.
Learn more about Anastasia & her role.
