Canada’s first licensing law for home inspectors was passed in January 2009. By March 31, all home inspectors will have to meet the requirements of the National Certification Program for Home and Property Inspectors www.nca-anc.com, requirements of CAHPI-BC, (Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors - British Columbia) www.cahpi.bc.ca, or the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia (ASTTBC) www.asttbc.org. All home inspectors will have to carry Errors and Omissions insurance and General Liability insurance. There will be a $100 licensing fee, and home inspectors will have to carry an identification card. There will also be a criminal record check.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that real estate agents will not be allowed to recommend home inspectors. Instead they will send consumers to the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority, a non-government, not-for-profit organization. (www.bpcpa.ca) This authority will also handle consumer complaints related to home inspection.

Those who are not a member of any of these organizations may have their credentials assessed by the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority at a cost of $250. This option is only available until March 31, 2009, and those who are approved will have to become members of one of the three organizations within two years.

No license is required for commercial property inspections. For more information from the Authority, click here.