8. To be eligible for licensure as a home inspector, an applicant shall fulfill the following requirements:
a. Be of good moral character; and
b. Have successfully completed high school or its equivalent; and
c. (1) Have successfully completed an approved course of study of 180 hours, as prescribed by the board, after consultation with the State Department of Education, which shall include not less than 40 hours of unpaid field-based inspections in the presence of and under the direct supervision of a licensed home inspector, which inspections shall be provided by the school providing the approved course of study; or
(2) Have performed not less than 250 fee-paid home inspections in the presence of and under the direct supervision of a licensed home inspector who oversees and takes full responsibility for the inspection and any report produced; and
d. Have passed an examination administered or approved by the committee. The examination may have been passed before the effective date of this act.