(a) Except as provided by Subsection (a-1), only an individual certified by the commission as a fire inspector may conduct a fire safety inspection required by a state or local law, rule, regulation, or ordinance. The following entities may provide training related to fire safety inspections:
(1) the commission or a training facility certified by the commission;
(2) the State Firefighters’ and Fire Marshals’ Association of Texas or a training facility approved by that association;
(3) any state agency with authority over fire safety inspections; or
(4) any local agency authorized to provide the training by a state agency described by Subdivision (3).
(a-1) Subject to Subsection (a-2), for purposes of conducting a fire safety inspection under Subsection (a), an individual is not required to be certified by the commission if:
(1) the individual:
(A) has completed a course of training on fire safety inspections offered by an entity described by Subsection (a) that complies with NFPA Standard 1031: Fire Inspector I, 2014 Edition, “Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plan Examiner,” as published by the National Fire Protection Association;
(B) is:
(i) a member of a volunteer fire department; or
(ii) authorized to conduct fire safety inspections by a municipality in which an emergency services district is located if the municipality has adopted a fire safety code; and
(C) has not been convicted of an offense that involves family violence, as defined by § 71.004, Family Code, or a felony; and
(2) the inspection is conducted in:
(A) a county with a population of less than 100,000; or
(B) a political subdivision of this state that employs fewer than five firefighters regulated by the commission.

(a-2) A volunteer fire department or a municipality described by Subsection (a-1)(1)(B)(ii) may obtain an individual’s criminal history record information for use in conducting a criminal history background check before authorizing the individual to conduct fire safety inspections.
(b) A fire safety inspection required by a state or local law, rule, regulation, or ordinance must be conducted in accordance with:
(1) the most recent local fire code; or
(2) the most recent fire code adopted by the state fire marshal.
(c) This section does not apply to state agency personnel who conduct a life safety code survey of a building or facility in connection with determining whether to issue or renew a license under Chapter 142, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 247, 248, 251, 252, 464, 466, or 577, Health and Safety Code, or Chapter 103, Human Resources Code.