Home Inspector Education in Canada ranges from one provider to another. Most providers give you only two choices; distance or in class learning. The Canadian Institute of Home Inspectors has blended the two styles of learning after listening to what our students found most effective.

Some of our students prefer to receive their Home Inspection Education simply by receiving our comprehensive course material allowing them to learn at their own pace from the comfort of their home. This is extremely beneficial not only saving on costs travelling to another city or province but also a huge time saver for working professionals allowing them to balance their personal and professional lives.

On the other side of the spectrum, some of the students at the prefer to learn in a classroom setting directed by our seasoned instructors. Our in-class lectures are second to none using not just standard techniques such as slides, case studies, and videos. We also bring in display models of appliances such as furnaces, water heaters, electrical panels, (and so much more) allowing our students to interact with the models in much greater detail. This hands on experience enriches the learning process and allows our students to experience something that could never be done online or through a book.

The Canadian Institute of Home Inspectors does not require our students attend the in class portion of the studies but we highly recommend it, especially since there is no cost for our students to attend. On top of that, our students and graduates are free to attend any in class lecture in any Province – for life. We believe that education should always be available to those who want to learn and we strive to provide the best Home Inspection Education in Canada.

Home inspector certification varies from province to province in Canada. In fact, Alberta and British Columbia are the only two provinces that currently regulate the home inspections industry. All remaining provinces do not have a home inspector certification process. 

In Alberta, the following website from Service Alberta (the governing body that regulates home inspector certification for the province) https://www.servicealberta.ca/1773.cfm outlines the necessary steps one must take in order to receive their home inspector certification.

• An application form must be completed with an application fee.
• Proof of education is required; this includes a certificate from an approved educational institute such as the Canadian Institute of Home Inspectors followed by a test home inspection with a master home inspector or registered home inspector.
• Another alternative is to obtain a designation via an approved industry association.
• You must provide a $10,000 signed security in either a Surety Bond or irrevocable letter of credit. A home inspector insurance provider can provide a bond while your bank can provide the irrevocable letter of credit. There are typically charges for these surety bonds.
• The next step is to obtain errors and omission insurance of at least $1,000,000 per claim and $2,000,000 for all claims within a one-year period. Your insurance provider will provide this.
• The final step is to submit your service contract, which will be used between you and your clients, to Service Alberta for approval.

The steps to becoming a home inspector in British Columbia can be found on the website for Consumer Protection BC, the governing body for home inspections in British Columbia. https://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/get-keep-licence/home-inspections/.     

• To obtain your home inspector certificate in British Columbia, you must complete home inspector training from an approved home inspector program such as the Canadian Institute of Home Inspectors.
• This is followed by passing one of the four approved exams. You must then complete and log a minimum of 50 hours with an approved trainer.
• Once this is completed, you must obtain a peer recommendation letter which demonstrates your abilities as a home inspector.
• You will need proof of registry and incorporation.
• A municipal business license.
• Criminal record check.
• Obtain $1,000,000 insurance of both errors and omission as well as general liability from your insurance provider.