Senate OKs home inspector licensing.

Those wishing to make a living inspecting homes in New Hampshire would have to apply for a license that would require 80 hours of training and passing an exam approved by a new state licensing board, if a bill passed by the Senate becomes law.

Under Senate Bill 212, inspectors also would have to be a high school graduate, Pay an unspecified license fee, take continuing education courses and agree to a number of ethical guidelines.

The guidelines would forbid inspections from which they might benefit either through indirect compensation or promise of future referral, nor may they compensate real estate agents from whom they received referrals, nor may they accept compensation for recommending contractors. And they can't do the work themselves, unless it's performed a year after the inspection.

Those working as home inspectors would have until 2010 to obtain a license.

New Hampshire is one of the few states that doesn't license home inspectors, while many belong to various associations with their own ethical and professional standards, there is concern that there are some people "who call themselves inspectors give the profession a bad name," Sen. Jacalyn Cilley, D-Barrington, told New Hampshire Business Review. "The buying of a home is most people's largest investment, and they need to make sure the person inspecting it is qualified."

The bill passed on a voice vote without debate, with accolades for Senate Minority Leader Sen. Robert Clegg, R-Hudson, for his support. Sen. Joe Kenney, R-Union, was the only senator to voice a no vote. He cited concerns from the New Hampshire Chapter of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors that the testing was not appropriate, that current inspectors weren't grandfathered into the legislation, and had concerns about a reciprocity clause.

Kenney told New Hampshire Business Review that he favored some sort of licensing, but was concerned that it would enable Massachusetts inspectors to take away New Hampshire work, as well as drive up the price of buying a home.

"This is an unfriendly piece of business legislation if it benefits inspectors in another state and not our own," said Kenney, who hoped that the bill would be looked at more critically when it gets to the House.

Meanwhile, among the other bills the Senate passed on to the House:

* SB 264, which would make it easier for those who prevail in small claims court to put a lien on a home. The ability to do so has varied by county. This bill clarifies the procedure and makes it uniform statewide, which supporters said should make it easier for some small businesses to get paid.

* SB 199, which would give a property tax break for those investing in federally subsidized affordable housing. The bill would require that the assessor take into account lower-income potential because of the requirements to rent to moderate-and low-income people.