Code of Massachusetts Regulations 266 CMR - BOARD OF REGISTRATION OF HOME INSPECTORS
Here’s an overview of 266 CMR—the Board of Registration of Home Inspectors in Massachusetts:
📘 What is 266 CMR?
It’s the section of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations governing home inspectors, managed by the Board of Registration of Home Inspectors under M.G.L. c. 13 and c. 112 (mass.gov).
📂 Structure & Contents
The regulation is organized into these major parts:
2.00 – Definitions
Clarifies terms like “Home Inspector,” “Associate Inspector,” “Readily Accessible,” “Technically Exhaustive,” etc. (mass.gov, regulations.justia.com)
3.00 – Procedure for Registration
Outlines steps to apply, renew, reinstate, or transfer licenses (not fully detailed here).
4.00 – Associate Home Inspector Training Program Requirements
Sets criteria for becoming an Associate Inspector—including classroom hours, supervised inspections, appeals, etc. (casetext.com)
5.00 – Continuing Education
Requires 12 hours per 2‑year cycle (with at least 4 hours on CMR and 1 hour on ethics), prorated for new licensees. (law.cornell.edu)
6.00 – Standards of Practice
Defines the core inspection scope (visual-only residential inspections) and includes exclusions and limitations. (mass.gov, law.cornell.edu)
8.00 – Professional Competence and Conduct
Covers ethics, allowed conduct, advertising guidelines, conflicts of interest, etc. (kensainspections.com)
9.00 – Complaint Process
Procedures for reporting and investigating complaints.
10.00 – Hearings & Appeals
Defines procedural rules for administrative hearings.
11.00 – Insurance for LLCs/LLPs
Specifies liability insurance requirements for businesses.
🔍 Highlights: Key Sections
Definitions (266 CMR 2.00)
“Home Inspection”: visual review of accessible systems/systems like plumbing, electrical, structure, etc.
“Technically Exhaustive”: disallowed—no measurements, testing, or engineering-level analysis. (regulations.justia.com, mass.gov)
Continuing Education (266 CMR 5.01)
12‑hour requirement every two years.
Courses must be board-approved; minimum hours for CMR rules and ethics. Prorated if licensed mid-cycle. (law.cornell.edu)
Standards of Practice & Exclusions (266 CMR 6.00–6.05)
Inspections are visual only, not technically exhaustive, and limited to residential buildings. (law.cornell.edu)
Exclusions include remaining service life, repair methods, code compliance (unless contracted), environmentalTesting (e.g. radon), pests, structural calculations, future condition predictions, etc. (law.cornell.edu)
Conduct & Ethics (266 CMR 8.00)
Prohibits deceptive advertising, conflicts of interest, and managing gifts. Inspectors must adhere to professional conduct standards. (kensainspections.com)
✅ How to Access & Use It
Official text (via Trial Court Law Libraries, unofficial but regularly updated): The full PDF and sections are publicly available (mass.gov).
Purchase printed bound volume: Available from Massachusetts State Bookstore (~$3.15) (sec.state.ma.us).
Updates: Regulations are updated quarterly in the Massachusetts Register (en.wikipedia.org).
🛠️ Practical Takeaways
As an inspector, make sure you:
Are aware of and conform to visual-only, non-technically exhaustive inspection scope.
Complete your required continuing-education hours—including regulation-specific and ethics training.
Understand your conduct/advertising obligations to avoid violations.
As a client, know that a standard home inspection:
Doesn't include testing (radon, pests, soils), warranties, or future projections.
Only covers readily accessible areas and excludes many technical services unless separately contracted.
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