PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – A Rhode Island law requiring home inspectors to be licensed will finally be enforced, two decades after it was enacted.

WPRI-TV reports that Rhode Island legislators passed a law in 2000 mandating that home inspectors be licensed, but state officials never created regulations to enforce the licensing requirements.

Paul Brunetti, who has been a home inspector for years, said he was told there was no money for the program.

Julietta Georgakis, deputy director of the state Department of Business Regulation, says the regulations are finally becoming a reality.

She says regulations for the licensing of home inspectors as well as well-drilling contractors; pump installers; residential water filtration/treatment system contractors; and commercial roofers will take effect by the end of the year.

She says the new rules will protect homeowners.