Licencing
Provincial Regulation for Home Inspectors
Click the province below for details regarding home inspector licencing:
Ontario
British Columbia
Alberta
British Columbia Licencing
BC’s Home Inspection Laws Are Changing
In March 2016, the BC government announced changes to the province’s Home Inspector Licencing Regulation. These changes will come into effect on September 1, 2016. There are some new rules for home inspectors to follow including new contract requirements and inspection report requirements. There are also some new processes for anyone wanting to become a licenced home inspector. To read more about the new requirements, please visit the Consumer Protection BC website at www.homeinspectionrightsbc.ca.
Know Who You are Hiring: Inspecting a Home Inspector
Ensure the home inspector is licenced in BC. If you are meeting with the home inspector in person, ask to see his/her licence issued by Consumer Protection BC. If you are speaking with a home inspector over the phone, you can ensure that they are licenced through the Consumer Protection BC online licensee search.
Help for Consumers - Confirm a home inspector's licence
Help for Home Inspectors - Licence application form
Ontario Licencing (Pending)
What to know before buying a home - Ministry of Consumer Services - Consumer Protection Ontario
Bill 59, The Putting Consumers First Act
Bill 59 received Royal Assent on April 13, 2017.
Minister Lalonde introduced Bill 59, the Putting Consumers First Act in the Legislative Assembly on November 3, 2016. If passed, the Bill would establish the Home Inspection Act, 2016. Once proclaimed, this Act would regulate the home inspection industry and establish mandatory licencing for home inspection providers and home inspectors. You can view the Bill and check its status on the Legislative Assembly’s webpage.
Bill 59 has been referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy. The committee process allows the Legislative Assembly to gain input from stakeholders through public hearings. Stakeholders will be able to speak to the proposed legislation or provide written submissions.
Feb 21/17 Committee Transcript
Feb 27/17 Committee Transcript
Feb 28/17 Committee Transcript
Our government values your feedback and will continue to work with stakeholders and industry on this important initiative.
We appreciate your continued support as we work to build a fair, safe and informed marketplace.
Ministry of Government and Consumer Services
Policy and Governance Branch | Policy, Planning and Oversight Division
56 Wellesley Street West, 6th Floor Toronto, ON M7A 1C1
Currently anyone in Ontario can call themselves a home inspector. Many consumers depend on the opinions of their home inspector to make what is often the largest purchase decision of their lifetime. In order to improve consumer protection in this important part of the home buying process, the Ministry of Consumer Services consulted on a panel's findings and recommendations to introduce mandatory qualifications for home inspectors.
More information is available from Ontario Government Ministry of Consumer Services
In the News
News Release: Ministry of Government and Consumer Services l August 17, 2016 Ontario to licence home inspectors
Mortgage Brokers News l April 7, 2016 Ontario aims for home inspection industry regulation
Toronto Star l April 23, 2016 Regulating Ontario's home inspectors is taking too long
Alberta Licencing
All home inspectors and home inspection businesses in Alberta must have a licence and show it to consumers when asked. CAHPI is an approved Home Inspection Association. New home inspectors earning their National Certificate Holder designation qualify for the Service Alberta Licence.
Service Alberta:
Consumer Tips Hiring a Home Inspector
Home Inspection Business Licence
Find out if a Home Inspector is Licenced
More information is available from Service Alberta
