17-52-306. Powers and duties of the board.

17-52-306. Powers and duties of the board. The Arkansas Home Inspector Registration Board may: (1) Perform the duties and functions appropriate and necessary to carry out the provisions of this subchapter; (2) Review, approve, or reject registration applications and issue registration certificates to applicants; (3) Establish a mandatory continuing education program designed to upgrade the professional skills and knowledge of home inspectors practicing in Arkansas; (4)(A) Establish administrative procedures for disciplinary proceedings conducted according to the provisions for this subchapter. (B) The procedures shall include provisions for the suspension and revocation of registration and enforcement of civil penalties; (5) Establish procedures for processing and resolving complaints against home inspectors conducting home inspections in Arkansas; (6) Authorize disbursement of the funds collected into the Arkansas Home Inspectors Registration Fund; (7) Employ legal counsel to represent it in any proceedings when legal counsel is required; (8) Develop competency exams for home inspectors; (9) Establish a standard of practice and code of ethics for home inspectors; (10) Enter into agreements with other states, territories, districts, or possessions of the United States concerning registration or licensing requirements acceptable between Arkansas and the other entities; (11) Maintain working files as it deems necessary; (12) Contract for administrative support services and meet financial obligations of those contracts using moneys from the fund; (13)(A) Develop and implement a means for conducting internet board meetings, which may be observed by the public in real time. (B) Public participation in the meetings may be permitted in accordance with rules developed by the board; (14) Establish and maintain an internet site devoted to home inspection registration and related subjects; (15)(A) Assume the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Licensing's responsibilities for home inspector registration by development of or contracting for a support organization to perform the administrative duties required by the board if the fund totals at least fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000). (B) If the fund totals at least fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) and the board votes to transfer the responsibilities of the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Licensing to the board, then the board shall give written notice to the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Licensing ninety (90) calendar days before the transfer; and (16) Establish educational requirements for registration to begin after July 1, 2004, including the standards and procedures for approval of educational programs if the maximum number of hours required shall not exceed ninety (90) classroom hours.