Mandatory licensing of home inspectors in British Columbia

On March 31, 2009, BC will become the first Canadian province requiring home inspectors to be licensed.

For the past decade, both the British Columbia Real Estate Association and the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver have advocated that home inspectors meet licensing and uniform education standards.

Real Estate agents were concerned that training for inspectors was voluntary and anyone could call themselves a home inspector.  This created problems for homebuyers who hired "professional" home inspectors who ultimately weren't qualified.  When problems were discovered that an inspector should have identified, the homebuyer had no recourse.

Under the new standards, the province's 300 to 400 home inspectors will be required to meet the qualifications of one of the following organizations:

• the Canadian Association of Home &
Property Inspectors - BC branch;
• the Applied Science Technologists and
Technicians of British Columbia; or
• the National Certification Program for
Home and Property Inspectors.

Licensing will be under the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act.

Home inspectors must complete examinations and field experience, undergo a criminal records check and pay a licensing fee. The Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority (BPCPA) will be the regulatory body, overseeing licensing and complaints, and will monitor compliance through inspections and enforcement.  Maximum penalties for non compliance will be $5,000.

Home inspectors who haven't met the requirements of a BPCPA-recognized professional association or authority can apply to the BPCPA to have their experience, knowledge and ability assessed and may be issued a licence. "Grandfathered" inspectors must meet the requirements of one of the three recognized groups by March 31, 2011.

Questions have been raised about whether the new standards will prove adequate. Discussions between the government and the inspection industry organizations are ongoing.

See the licence

After March 31, 2009, make sure to ask to see your inspectors licence.

If you have a complaint about a licensed inspector they can visit the BPCPA website at www.bpcpa.ca or phone
toll-free 1.888.564.9963 for assistance.

Source: The information provide was taken from RealtorLink, a newsletter provided to all Real Estate agents that are members of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver. Some information has been altered in order to assist and reflect the members of the public reading this document.