Illinois Code § 225 ILCS 441/5-5

Necessity of license; use of title; exemptions.
Open in Lexace · Ask the AI about this section
(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2027)

 
Sec. 5-5. 
Necessity of license; use of title; exemptions. 

 
(a) It is unlawful for any person, including any
entity, to act or assume
to act as a home
inspector, to engage in the business of home inspection, to develop a home
inspection report, to practice as a home inspector, or to advertise or hold oneself

out to be a home inspector without a home inspector license issued under this
Act. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class 4 felony for the second and any subsequent offenses.

 
(b) It is unlawful for any person, other than a
person who holds a valid
home inspector license issued pursuant to this Act, to use the title "home
inspector" or
any other title, designation, or abbreviation likely to create the impression
that the person is licensed as a home inspector pursuant to this Act. A person
who violates this subsection is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

 
(c) The licensing requirements of this Article do not apply to:

 
 
(1) any person who is employed as a code enforcement 
 
official by the State of Illinois or any unit of local government, while acting within the scope of that government employment;

 
 
(2) any person licensed in this State by any other 
 
law who is engaging in the profession or occupation for which the person is licensed; or

 
 
(3) any person engaged by the owner or lessor of 
 
residential real property for the purpose of preparing a bid or estimate as to the work necessary or the costs associated with performing home construction, home remodeling, or home repair work on the residential real property, provided such person does not advertise or hold oneself out as engaged in business as a home inspector.

 
(d) The licensing of home inspector entities required under this Act does not apply to an entity whose ownership structure is one licensed home inspector operating a sole proprietorship, a single member limited liability company, or a single shareholder corporation, and that home inspector is the only licensed home inspector performing inspections on the entity's behalf. The licensed home inspector who is the sole proprietor, sole shareholder, or single member of the company or entity shall comply with all other provisions of this Act.

official by the State of Illinois or any unit of local government, while acting within the scope of that government employment;
law who is engaging in the profession or occupation for which the person is licensed; or
residential real property for the purpose of preparing a bid or estimate as to the work necessary or the costs associated with performing home construction, home remodeling, or home repair work on the residential real property, provided such person does not advertise or hold oneself out as engaged in business as a home inspector.

‹ Prev All Illinois sections Next ›


Lexace provides legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. Statute text is provided for general information and may not reflect the most recent amendments; verify against the official state code.