How to Fill Out the California 43M-41 WDO Inspection Report (Complete Guide)

The 43M-41 is the only legally accepted WDO inspection report form in California. It is prescribed by the Structural Pest Control Board and required for every Wood Destroying Pest and Organism inspection performed by a licensed Branch 3 operator. Getting it wrong can mean SPCB violations, failed escrow transactions, and unhappy clients. This guide walks through every section of the form so you never miss a field.

Who can use the 43M-41 form?

Only licensed Branch 3 Field Representatives (FR) or Operators (OPR) employed by a registered company can perform WDO inspections and issue 43M-41 reports in California. The inspector's state license number must appear on every report. If your company is not registered with the SPCB, you cannot legally issue a 43M-41 — regardless of the inspector's individual license status. Both the company registration number and the inspector's personal license number are required fields on every report.

Unlicensed inspections, reports issued by unregistered companies, or reports signed by someone other than the inspecting licensee are all SPCB violations. The consequences range from formal citations to license suspension.

Page 1 — Cover Page: Every field explained

The cover page is the face of the report. Every field matters — in escrow transactions, agents and lenders scrutinize this page first.

Building Address

Full street address including unit number if applicable. Use the property's official address — not a mailing address or abbreviation. If the property has a unit designation (e.g., Apt 4B), it must be included. For multi-unit commercial properties, specify which unit(s) were inspected.

Date of Inspection

The date the physical inspection was performed — not the date the report was written, not the date it was emailed, and not the date the customer signed it. This date has legal significance in real estate transactions and warranty disputes. If the inspection was performed over multiple days (rare but possible for large commercial properties), list all inspection dates.

Number of Pages

The total page count of the complete report as delivered. This must match the actual document. A standard 43M-41 with one structure and standard findings runs 5–6 pages. If you add photos, additional finding pages, or supplemental documentation, the page count increases. Leaving this blank or entering the wrong number is a common mistake that creates problems during SPCB audits.

Report Number

Your company-assigned sequential report number (e.g., W13179). Every company must maintain a numbering system so reports can be uniquely identified. This number is what the SPCB uses when you file the report, and what you'll reference if a reinspection or completion notice is issued later. Report numbers cannot be reused or duplicated.

License Registration Number

Your company's SPCB registration number (e.g., PR 7791). This is the company's registration — not the individual inspector's license number. Both appear on the report, but this field specifically refers to the company's registration.

Escrow Number

If this inspection was ordered as part of a real estate transaction, enter the escrow number provided by the escrow company. Leave blank if this is not an escrow transaction. In real estate transactions, the escrow number is how title companies and agents track which inspections belong to which file.

Ordered By / Property Owner / Report Sent To

These three fields document the chain of custody for the report. “Ordered By” is who hired you — this might be a real estate agent, buyer, seller, or property owner. “Property Owner and/or Party of Interest” is the legal owner of the property. “Report Sent To” lists all parties who receive a copy. In escrow transactions, the report is typically sent to the buyer, seller, and their respective agents.

Report Type — Check Only ONE

This is one of the most consequential fields on the form. You must check exactly one of the following:

• Complete — Full inspection of all accessible areas of the structure. This is the most common report type for real estate transactions.
• Limited — Inspection of only specific areas, as agreed upon with the client. The limitations must be clearly documented.
• Supplemental — An addition to a prior report, typically to inspect areas that were inaccessible during the original inspection. Must reference the original report by number and date.
• Reinspection — A follow-up inspection after work has been completed. Typically performed within 4 months of the original report at no greater fee.

Checking the wrong report type is a serious error. A Complete report carries different legal implications than a Limited one. If you inspected only part of the structure, check Limited and document what was excluded.

General Description of Structure

A brief, factual description of what you inspected. Example: “Single story wood framed stucco single family residence with a composition roof and an attached two-car garage.” For commercial properties: “Two-story wood framed office building with a flat tar and gravel roof and a detached storage structure.” This establishes context for the entire report.

Inspection Tag Posted

California law requires placement of an inspection tag at the property. Document where the primary tag was placed (Attic, Garage, Subarea) and any additional tags. Tags must include the company name, license number, inspector name, and date of inspection.

Finding Checkboxes

Check ALL boxes that apply to your findings. Options include: Subterranean Termites, Drywood Termites, Dampwood Termites, Fungus/Dry Rot, Wood Boring Beetles, Carpenter Ants, Carpenter Bees, Other Findings, and Further Inspection Required. These checkboxes create a quick visual summary for the reader and must match what is documented in the body of the report. Missing a checkbox when findings are present — or checking one when no findings exist — is a violation.

Property Diagram

A diagram showing the layout of the property with finding locations marked by item codes. Every item code on the diagram must correspond to a finding in the body of the report, and vice versa. The diagram doesn't need to be architecturally precise, but it must clearly show the structure orientation, major components (garage, deck, porch, subarea access points), and the location of each finding. North should be indicated.

Inspector Signature

The licensed inspector must print their name, write their state license number, and provide a wet signature. Electronic signatures are acceptable when the report is delivered digitally. The inspector who signs must be the person who physically performed the inspection — you cannot have a different person sign a report they didn't conduct.

Page 2 — Standard Legal Notices

Page 2 is prescribed by the SPCB and cannot be modified, altered, or removed. Any report missing this page is non-compliant. The notices include:

• Scope and limitations — Defines what is and is not covered by the inspection
• Inaccessible areas definition — Legal definition of what constitutes an inaccessible area
• Reinspection policy — Inspections can be reinspected within 4 months at no greater fee
• Roof disclaimer — Limits liability for roof conditions not accessible during inspection
• Second opinion notice — Client's right to obtain additional inspections
• Mold disclaimer — Mold is explicitly NOT covered by the 43M-41. If you observe mold, note it but do not classify it as a WDO finding
• Local treatment disclaimer — Required language when chemical treatments are recommended

Pages 3+ — Findings and Recommendations

This section is the core of the report. Every accessible area of the property must be addressed, and every finding must be properly classified and documented.

Property Areas Checklist

All areas must be accounted for — either inspected or documented as inaccessible:

• Substructure — Raised floor (crawl space) or Slab. If raised, document crawl space findings in detail.
• Stall Shower — Tested or Not Tested. Shower pans must be tested for leaks when accessible.
• Foundations — Type and condition. Concrete above grade, concrete block, pier and beam, etc.
• Porches/Steps — Material (wood, concrete, brick) and condition. Wood porches are a common source of Section I findings.
• Ventilation — Adequate or Inadequate. Subarea requires minimum 1 sq ft of vent per 150 sq ft of floor area.
• Abutments — Present or None. Abutments include anything attached to the structure (fences, trellises, planters).
• Attic Spaces — Accessible or Inaccessible. If accessible, document all findings. If inaccessible, document the reason.
• Garages — Number of cars, attached or detached, findings noted.
• Decks/Patios — Inspected or Not Inspected. If not inspected, document why.
• Interior — Inspected rooms and findings.
• Exterior — Summary of exterior findings including eaves, fascia boards, window frames, and landscaping issues.

Section I vs. Section II vs. Further Inspection

Getting the section designation right is critical. Misclassifying a finding — especially calling a Section II a Section I or vice versa — can create legal liability and SPCB violations.

• Section I — Visible evidence of ACTIVE infestation, infection, or conditions that have resulted directly from infestation or infection. This means live organisms are present, OR damage is directly caused by WDO activity (not just moisture). Section I items require immediate attention and carry the highest urgency. Examples: live drywood termites, active mud tubes from subterranean termites, wood decay actively spreading due to fungal infection.
• Section II — Conditions LIKELY to lead to infestation or infection but no visible evidence of active activity found. These are conducive conditions: earth-to-wood contact, inadequate ventilation, standing water, wood debris in the crawl space, irrigation hitting the foundation. Section II items do not have active infestation — they are risk factors.
• Further Inspection — Areas that could not be inspected during the original inspection and cannot be classified as Section I or II without access. Requires follow-up. Examples: a sealed subarea access, a locked attic hatch, a stall shower that cannot be tested. The Further Inspection designation obligates you to perform a follow-up inspection — typically at the same fee rate — when access is provided.

Finding item codes

Each finding gets a unique item code consisting of a number (indicating the area of the property) and a sequential letter. For example:

• 4A, 4B, 4C — Porches/Steps area (4 = porch zone, A/B/C = sequential findings)
• 7A, 7B — Attic area
• 11A, 11B, 11C — Exterior areas

Each finding entry must include: the PRICE for the recommended work, a FINDINGS description of what was observed, a RECOMMENDATION of what needs to be done, and the Section designation (I, II, or Further). The item code on the findings page must match the marker on the diagram. Mismatches between the diagram and the findings text are a common SPCB citation.

Primary vs. secondary recommendations

Every recommendation is classified as either Primary or Secondary:

• Primary — The treatment or repair your company recommends as the proper solution per SPCB regulations. Example: fumigation for a widespread drywood termite infestation throughout the structure.
• Secondary — An alternative, substandard measure requested by the property owner instead of the primary recommendation. Example: spot chemical treatment where fumigation was recommended. When you document a secondary recommendation, you MUST identify it as a “substandard measure under Section 1992,” name the person who requested it, and note that it may not fully address the infestation.

Secondary recommendations are commonly used in real estate transactions where sellers want to avoid the disruption of fumigation. Documenting them correctly is essential legal protection for your company.

Pesticide notice page

Any time pesticide application is part of your recommendations, a pesticide notice page is legally required by California law before the work is performed. This page must include:

• CAUTION — PESTICIDES ARE TOXIC CHEMICALS warning header
• Company contact information
• Poison Control Center contact (800-222-1222)
• County Health Department contact
• County Agricultural Commissioner contact
• SPCB contact information
• Full chemical names with EPA registration numbers for every pesticide listed (e.g., Vikane EPA Reg. No. 62719-4, Termidor SC EPA Reg. No. 7969-210)
• California Mechanics Lien Law notice
• Collection/late payment notice if applicable

Missing the pesticide notice page when chemical treatments are recommended is one of the most common SPCB violations. If your only recommendation is a repair with no chemical treatment, the pesticide notice may be omitted — but if chemicals are used at any point, it is required.

Authorization and sign-off page

The final section of the report contains:

• A table listing all finding items with Primary Estimate and Secondary Estimate amounts (if applicable)
• Section designation (I or II) for each item
• Checkboxes for authorizing completion of Primary vs. Secondary estimates
• Escrow payment terms when applicable
• Two signature blocks for the property owner or authorized party
• Total estimate amounts (primary total and secondary total listed separately)

The authorization page is what the customer signs to approve the work. It legally binds the authorization to specific items and amounts. Keep signed copies on file for a minimum of 3 years.

Common mistakes that cause SPCB violations

• Leaving the “Number of Pages” blank or entering the wrong count
• Not checking all applicable finding checkboxes on page 1
• Writing findings without a Section designation (I, II, or Further)
• Missing the pesticide notice page when chemicals are recommended
• Incomplete property areas checklist — all areas must be accounted for
• Not including the full SPCB footer text on page 1
• Secondary recommendations without naming who requested them and noting the substandard designation
• Diagram that doesn't match the finding item codes in the report
• Wrong report type checked (Complete vs. Limited vs. Supplemental)
• Inspector signing with the wrong license number — this is the number of the person who performed the inspection, not the company's OPR
• Using an outdated version of the form — always verify you have the current SPCB-prescribed version
• Completing a Reinspection without reference to the original report number and date

How Bug HQ automates 43M-41 generation

Bug HQ generates fully compliant 43M-41 reports automatically from inspection data entered in the app. Every required field, legal notice, pesticide page, authorization page, and SPCB footer is included — nothing gets missed. The AI Report Writer generates professional, SPCB-compliant finding narratives in seconds, saving 20–30 minutes per report.

The satellite diagram tool auto-loads the property from Google Maps at maximum zoom so inspectors can trace the property outline and place finding markers in under 5 minutes. Finding markers are auto-synced from the structured findings panel — Section I markers appear red, Section II amber, and Further Inspection blue. When the report is generated, the satellite background is automatically removed for a clean, professional diagram on the printed report.

Reports are generated as PDFs that match the exact 43M-41 format required by the SPCB, ready to email, text, or print immediately after the inspection. Filing records are created automatically when an inspection is marked complete.

Learn more about Bug HQ's WDO inspection features →