(a) Either the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development or the Department of Labor and Workforce Development may investigate alleged or apparent violations of this chapter relating to contractors. The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development may investigate alleged or apparent violations of this chapter relating to home inspection activities. These departments, upon showing proper credentials, may enter, during regular hours of work, a construction site where it appears that contracting work is being done. The departments may make inquiries about the identity of the contractor or the person acting in the capacity of a contractor. The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development may make inquiries about the identity of a home inspector or a person acting in the capacity of a home inspector. Upon demand, a contractor or home inspector or person acting in the capacity of a contractor or home inspector, or that person's representative, shall produce evidence of current endorsement, if applicable, and registration.

(b) If an owner files a notice of the advertisement of a structure for sale or the sale of a structure during the period of construction or for two years after the period of construction begins under AS 08.18.161(11), the department shall investigate and take appropriate action under this chapter if the notice and circumstances indicate that the owner is operating a business for which the owner is required to register as a contractor under this chapter.