BC Licensed Home Inspector After September 1, 2016

How to Become a BC Licensed Home Inspector After September 1, 2016

If you are thinking about becoming a licensed home inspector in BC, this information is for you.  

In March of 2016, the provincial government announced changes to BC’s licensing and regulatory model for home inspectors that will come into effect on September 1, 2016. , Consumer Protection enforces BC’s consumer protection laws and has been regulating and licensing the home inspection sector since 2009.  Please keep reading to find out about the new requirements that apply to you. You can also read this important information bulletin; that speaks to the new requirements for all home inspectors. 

Consumer Protection BC is providing this information to help you prepare for changes to the law that come into effect on September 1, 2016.  Please visit our web portal at  www.homeinspectionrightsbc.ca for updates. 

If you are in the process of completing or have enrolled in an education program prior to September 1, 2016, information specific to you will be available shortly.

Consumer Protection BC’s role

Consumer Protection BC regulates and licenses seven different business sectors and a number of consumer transactions including gift cards, credit reporting and consumer contracts.  One of the licensed business sectors that Consumer Protection regulates is home inspectors, and as part of that oversight Consumer Protection BC approves educational programs, handles consumer complaints, conducts inspections, enforces laws and provides consumer education.  

One of the changes coming into effect on September 1, 2016  is that membership in a home inspector association will no longer be required to qualify for a licence from Consumer Protection BC.  Therefore, practical training and peer review requirements currently required by and facilitated by the associations have been revised and will be the responsibility of the applicant on their path to licensing. This means that as of September 1, 2016, you will have more flexibility in obtaining the qualifications for licensing. 

Qualifications for Licensing    

(Graphical Representation of Steps to Become a Home Inspector) Here 

Effective September 1, 2016, in order to qualify for a home inspector licence, you must do all of the following:

1.  Complete an approved educational program and submit proof of completion as part of your application package.  More information on approved educational programs can be found here 
2. Pass a designated exam from one of the four examination bodies (formally designated associations). More information on designated home inspector exams can be found here.
3. Complete 50 hours of practical training by accompanying an approved home inspector (trainer) on home inspections More information on this requirement is available here.  A list of approved trainers will be available prior to September 1, 2016.  
4. Submit a peer recommendation letter signed by an approved home inspector (evaluator) that attests to your knowledge and ability to conduct home inspections and prepare home inspection reports. More information on this requirement is available here.  A list of approved trainers will be available prior to September 1, 2016.
5. Complete and submit a full home inspector licence application package. The application package applicable for use after September 1, 2016 will be posted soon.
6. Note for applications submitted prior to September 1, 2016 the application package applicable can be found here. 

Approved Educational Programs

Educational programs approved by Consumer Protection BC are assessed using a set of requirements outlined in law and policy. Any approved program must include at least 150 hours of direct instruction and be in preparation for a designated exam. The curriculum must, at minimum, cover the following subject areas; roofing, flashing, chimneys, the exterior systems, the structural system, the electrical system, the heating and cooling systems, the insulation and venting systems, the plumbing system, and the interior systems.

We are currently in the process of reviewing and approving educational programs. Once programs have been approved they will be posted here. 

Designated Examinations 

Effective September 1, 2016, the designated examinations under the Home Inspector Licensing Regulation are:

1. Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia’s (ASTT) House Inspection Competency Examination.   Examination page 
2. Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors CAHPI(BC) Canadian Home Inspector Examination.  Examination page
3. Canadian National Association of Certified Home Inspectors’ Associate Level Examination. Examination page
4. Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors’ National Home Inspector Examination (United States). Examination page

Practical Training 

As of September 1, 2016, the Home Inspector Licensing Regulation requires that you complete 50 hours of practical training by accompanying an approved home inspector (trainer) on home inspections.

The list of approved home inspectors (trainers) will be made available prior to September 1, 2016. Consumer Protection BC has prepared a sample pre-formatted applicant report form that may be used to track and record the practical training. The form is linked here. If you would like more information about the qualifications a trainer/evaluator must meet to be approved by Consumer Protection BC, see our approval policies.

Peer Recommendation Letter

In addition to the practical training, you must also provide, as part of your application, a peer recommendation letter that attests to the fact that you possess the knowledge and ability necessary to conduct home inspections and prepare home inspection reports. You must contact an approved evaluator and make arrangements to have them accompany you on a trial home inspection where they will evaluate your skills and abilities. If the assessment is successful, they will sign off the Peer Recommendation Letter which you must submit as part of your application package. Consumer Protection BC will provide a pre-formatted peer recommendation letter that an evaluator may choose to use. To find out more about the peer recommendation requirements Coming Soon. 

A list of approved evaluators will be available prior to September 1, 2016.  

Insurance

All home inspectors must demonstrate that they have obtained and maintain both errors and omissions and comprehensive general liability insurance. Specifically, licensed home inspectors must have a minimum of $1 million limit/aggregate coverage for both errors & omissions and comprehensive general liability.  The policy cannot exclude water ingress. 

The insurance must be issued by an insurance company authorized under the BC Financial Institutions Act, or Office of the Superintendent of Financial Intuitions and the insurance policy must be in the name of the home inspector.

A list of authorized insurance companies can be found at: http://www.fic.gov.bc.ca/web_listings/AuthorizedInsuranceCompanies.aspx
http://www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca/Eng/osfi-bsif/Pages/default.aspx

Residential Declarations (current requirement) 

Home Inspector Licensing Regulation requires that all licensed home inspectors maintain and declare a business location where they keep records. 
Home inspectors not operating from a retail or commercial location will be required to complete a statutory declaration for working from a non-commercial location i.e. home based business.  Here 

Criminal Record Check (current requirement)

Applicants are required to complete and submit a Consent for Disclosure of Criminal Record Information form found here. Anyone who has been convicted of an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada or any other statute must also complete and submit a Consent for Disclosure of Criminal Record Information form and a Statutory Declaration of Criminal Record form found here.  

For more information

We understand that it can be difficult to understand all the implications of a change to the law. If you have questions about the new rules or about our processes, we are happy to help you.  Please contact us at 1-888-564-9963 or operations@consumerprotectionbc.ca.  Our online information is consistently being updated and we encourage you to visit www.homeinspectionrightsbc.ca often.

New Owner Builder Exam starts July 4, 2016

Related information:

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CHANGES TO BC'S HOME INSPECTOR LICENSING REGULATION 卑詩省收緊規管驗屋師

March 15, 2016

Today, the provincial government announced updates to BC’s Home Inspector Licensing Regulation, to take effect September 1, 2016. Please read the government’s press release here. You can also read the Order in Council for more details.  As the regulator and licensing body for the home inspection industry, we know there will be questions about the implications of the changes announced today. We will have more comprehensive information on our website leading up to September 1st so please continue to visit www.homeinspectionrightsbc.ca. If you have a specific question, please email operations@consumerprotectionbc.ca. Thank you, Consumer Protection BC New requirements for home inspectors will give consumers increased confidence when they purchase a home. The rules take effect on Sept. 1, 2016, and will enhance home inspector licensing qualifications, strengthen home inspection reports, contracts and insurance requirements, and improve enforcement, by requiring the following: Home inspection contracts must describe in advance what will be covered in an inspection. Contractual terms that limit home inspectors’ liability will be prohibited. New business record-keeping requirements will be put in place for home inspectors. Home inspectors will be required to have valid professional and general liability insurance. In 2013, the provincial government invited public input on an improved regulatory model for home inspectors. The resulting changes are based on public input, as well as research and consultation with home inspector associations and home inspectors, Consumer Protection BC and other stakeholders. The Province will also undertake a comprehensive review of the qualifications required to perform home inspections and develop new, more rigorous training and examination requirements for those wishing to become home inspectors. This review will help develop a single occupational standard for all B.C. home inspectors. Results are expected to be in place in 2017. Quick Facts: In 2009, British Columbia became the first jurisdiction in Canada to require licensing of home inspectors. British Columbia and Alberta are the only two provinces that regulate home inspectors in Canada. Ontario is considering doing so. There are approximately 483 licensed home inspectors in B.C. Learn More: Looking for information about home inspections? http://www.homeinspectionrightsbc.ca Related news: 2016/03/16 Mingpao - 省府收緊規管驗屋師 新例2016秋生效

Make sure the home inspector you hire has the knowledge and experience

Mike Holmes: Make sure the home inspector you hire has the knowledge needed to do the job right

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Mike Holmes, Special to National Post | November 21, 2015 | Last Updated: Nov 21 9:54 AM ET
More from Special to National Post

The Holmes GroupThermal imaging is an non-invasive method of detecting problems that may be hiding behind walls.

When buying, some people are tempted to skip getting a home inspection, either because they want to save some money or because they fall in love with a place. But it’s easy to make a home look good on the surface — and that could mean you’d be buying an illusion.

If you really want to know what you’re buying, get a home inspection.

But there are a few rules you should follow. First, hire the right inspector — a pro. Hiring the right home inspector is done in the same way you would hire the right contractor: by slowing down, doing your homework and educating yourself.

Make sure the person has plenty of experience doing home inspections. Ideally, you want someone with at least 1,000 home inspections under their belt, and someone with a residential construction background.

You don’t want someone who was flipping burgers six months ago, nor an accountant-by-day-home-inspector-by-night. You need a professional, and professionals live and breathe the industry. Why? Because they have to.

Think about it. If a person is expected to be able to come into a home — any home — and point out all the major issues in just a couple of hours, they need to know what the red flags are, what to look for depending on the age of the home, its construction, the area, local weather and environmental conditions, etc.

They also need to have a basic understanding of structure, plumbing, electrical, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), and recognize what was done five years ago, 20 years ago, 100 years ago, and what’s being done today — and how all those things can affect other areas of the home.

It’s a lot of stuff to know.

For example, if they’re looking at an older home, a good home inspector would know to check for knob-and-tube wiring, lead or galvanized-steel piping and vermiculite and/or asbestos.

If the electrical is knob-and-tube, some insurance companies won’t insure the house, or will charge a much higher premium. If there’s galvanized-steel piping, it can rust and reduce water pressure — or it could even rupture. If the water-supply piping is made from lead (which is possible in older homes), it can wear down over time and it could get into your water, which we all know wouldn’t be a good thing. If there’s vermiculite insulation, it can contain asbestos, and disturbing it can create a serious health risk.

The Holmes GroupHomebuyers should never waive a home inspection and always hire an experienced professional.

Knowing how to inspect a home isn’t just something you can pick up and do in a few months. It takes time and experience to get it right and do it right, because if they get it wrong, it could mean hundreds of thousands of dollars in unexpected repairs — to you.

Get your money’s worth by hiring a pro, and then ask a lot of questions.

Educate yourself. Know what to expect during a home inspection and what to ask. I recommend walking around the house with the home inspector; that way you can ask all the questions you want to get the information you need.

And at the end when you get the report, READ IT! Sometimes people pay to get a home inspection, and then they never read the report. That makes no sense.

Go through it, make sure you understand everything that’s in there, and if you have any questions contact the inspector. If they suggested a more thorough followup on a specific part of the house, like the furnace or the plumbing, bring in a professional specialized in that area as soon as possible. The information they then give you could turn out to be a deal breaker on the purchase of that house.

A home inspection gives you a snapshot of a home at the time of inspection. The goal is to minimize risk for the seller and buyer by pointing out the big problems and the major issues.

Slow down, do your homework, educate yourself and hire a professional home inspector. Because you have to look out for yourself and protect your investment, because no one else will.

Watch Mike in his new series, Holmes Makes It Right, on HGTV. For more information, visit makeitright.ca.

What happens during a home inspection? 驗屋會發生什麼情況？

What happens during a home inspection?

Written by  Melaina  Consumer Protection BC

It’s likely that a home will be the biggest purchase you’ll ever make, which is why many consumers opt for a home inspection before they sign on the dotted line. In this blog post, we’re sharing information about the home inspection process – learn what to expect and about your rights.

In British Columbia all home inspectors must be licensed with Consumer Protection BC and are required to follow specific laws.

What happens before the inspection?
When you’re picking a home inspector, do a little research first. You can ask to see their licence, call our office to check (1-888-564-9963) or use our online licensed home inspector search tool. It’s a good idea to ask the home inspector about their qualifications or background, and for a referral or two. You may want to ask family and friends for recommendations and always remember that the lowest quote isn’t always the best choice. Make sure you fully understand what’s going to be included in your home inspection before you sign the contract.

What happens during the inspection?
During the inspection, your home inspector will perform a visual inspection of the home based on the terms and conditions of your agreement. It’s really important to know this means there are certain limitations as to what the home inspector can see and check – a home inspection may reduce risk, but it can’t eliminate it altogether. You can ask to tag along during the inspection, but know there are no legal requirements to have your real estate agent present. The inspection will usually take a couple of hours to complete.

What happens after the inspection? 
After the inspection, your home inspector will provide you with a report that lists the potential deficiencies he or she noticed (remember: it’s not a pass or fail test!). Your home inspector will not provide estimates for the fixes and they will not suggest contractors to do the work (it’s a good idea to get three quotes for the repairs from independent businesses). By law, your home inspector isn’t allowed to share your home inspection report with anyone else but you (unless they have your permission to do so, it’s required by law or if there is a serious health or safety risk).

For more information about home inspections in BC, please visit Consumer Protection BC online at www.homeinspectionrightsbc.ca.

ADDITIONAL READING FROM CONSUMER PROTECTION BC:
What to expect from a home inspection
Top 5 tips if you’re buying a home

Additional Reading from BankRate.com: 
5 biggest home inspection mistakes

How to Reduce the Risk of Basement Flooding 如何減輕地庫水浸風險

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CSA Draft for Comment - A770 Home Inspection

The CSA draft standard of of CSA A770-XX, Home Inspection is available for public review and comment before they are approved by the committee. The comment period will be expired on December 15, 2014. Please return your comments as quickly as possible, so that it can be reached to the appropriate committee for review.

NOTE:
The final version of CSA-A770 was approved on March 2016.

Register for FREE to receive view-access to CSA A770, participate in related discussions and connect with industry experts.

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