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How to Become a Home Inspector in BC: 6 Steps [2023]

By: Alex Nikotina

Published On: August 28, 2022

BC Home Inspection Overview

Buying a house or a home is a big investment and a decision that is not treated lightly. This is why many people are asking experts for advice before choosing to invest in a property.

A home inspector is checking an electrical socket for a client

Home inspection is becoming an essential initiative for the homebuyers all over Canada, as more and more people want to make sure that the price they are paying for the property is fair and justified, and they will not have to make expensive renovations due to deficiencies or safety issues.

In British Colombia, home inspection standards have been continuously raising since 2009. Home Inspectors in BC are required to obtain a license, and the regulations for the home inspection have been constantly improving to ensure that home buyers get the highest quality services.

The latest updates took place in 2016 to uphold the high standards for home inspection licensing, reports, contracts and insurance requirements.

Becoming a Licensed Home Inspector

In British Colombia, home inspection licensing is overseen by Consumer Protection BC, an organization that promotes a fair marketplace for BC consumers and businesses by regulating different business sectors. Consumer Protection BC lists out 6 steps that each candidate needs to take to become a licensed member. The steps breakdown is as follows:

1. Education

Candidates need to meet a minimum of 150 academic training hours from a Consumer Protection BC -approved educational program. The program needs to cover the minimum of the following subject areas:

  • Roofing
  • Flashing
  • Chimneys
  • Exterior systems
  • Structural system
  • Electrical system
  • Heating and cooling systems
  • Insulation and venting systems
  • Plumbing system
  • Interior systems

Ashton College’s Home Inspection Courses can be a great option for the students looking for online or in-class flexible learning options.

2. Designated Exam

Having completed the educational requirement, the candidates need to pass a designated exam from one of the four examination bodies (formally designated associations):

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

Please note that as of September 2016, BC home inspectors are not required to be a part of a home inspector association to obtain a license with Consumer Protection BC.

3. Practical Training

Candidates are required to complete a minimum of 50 hours of on-the-job training with an approved home inspector to meet the practical training requirement.

4. Peer Recommendation Letter

On top of the practical training, candidates are required to submit a recommendation letter by an approved home inspector. The letter would outline that the candidate has sufficient ability and knowledge to perform a quality home inspection.

The candidate needs to make appropriate arrangements with a Consumer Protection BC -approved evaluator. The evaluator will need to accompany the candidate during the home inspection and examine their skillset and abilities during the inspection. The Peer Recommendation Letter will be completed if the candidate successfully passes the assessment.

5. Insurance

All candidates are required to obtain Errors & Omissions Insurance (E&O) and Commercial General Liability Insurance (CGL) with a minimum of $1 million limit/aggregate coverage for both E&O and CGL. Please refer here for a list of authorized insurance companies.

6. Licensing

The last step is completing and submitting the licensing application documents along with the signed Peer Recommendation Letter.

For more information on each of the steps in home inspection licensing, please visit Consumer Protection BC website.

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  1. Harpreet Singh Aulakh says:
    August 26, 2021 at 11:36 am

    Hi I am interested in License Home Inspector

    Reply
  2. Rahul Sachdeva says:
    July 17, 2021 at 9:39 pm

    Can I please get a quote for this course and details with proper description.

    Secondly, when is the next intake for this course?

    Reply
  3. Lee Bordian says:
    June 3, 2021 at 2:07 am

    Interested in online courses, as I’m a full-time employee.. and the cost for this course?

    Reply
  4. Arsalan says:
    March 22, 2021 at 1:00 pm

    I just need the full and detail information about the course Home Inspector ( length, budget , fees etc )

    Reply
  5. Randy Mcgillivary says:
    November 15, 2020 at 8:14 pm

    Hi I would like to pursue being a home inspector, where do I start?

    Reply
  6. Derek Hoenen says:
    March 10, 2020 at 11:42 am

    I’m looking into the online home inspection course. With the requirement of the 50 hrs of practical training, does Ashton College set this up with certified instructors or has a list on contractors we have to contact?
    Thank you in advance
    Derek

    Reply
  7. Kevin Bunting says:
    March 7, 2020 at 4:47 pm

    I am interested in taking an education in home inspection Do you offer this
    Thanks Kev

    Reply
  8. Daniel Martin says:
    February 27, 2020 at 6:19 am

    Home inspection course cost and requirements please send them to me

    Reply
  9. Jake Harder says:
    February 11, 2020 at 2:48 pm

    ive Been in building construction for
    years.
    I’m quite precise, I’ve been told by people I should be home inspector.

    Reply
  10. Gopal Gandhi says:
    January 5, 2020 at 2:21 pm

    I need more info in home inspection course

    Reply
  11. Brandon Collins says:
    December 26, 2019 at 6:19 pm

    Very much interested in this course .

    Reply
  12. Jeff Jia says:
    November 30, 2019 at 9:50 am

    Hi I am a prospective applicant looking to the home inspection program at Ashton college. I have a couple of questions to ask.

    Is it possible to get a hold of program adviser or someone in charge of the program?

    Reply
    • Maria Bychkova says:
      December 2, 2019 at 3:03 pm

      Hi Jeff,

      Thank you for your interest in the home inspection program. Our admissions team will be glad to share more information about the program and to answer your questions. Please contact them at admissions@ashtoncollege.ca or by phone 604-899-0803 (Vancouver) / 604-625-1150 (Abbotsford).

      Thank you!

      Reply
  13. George Meppurethu says:
    November 23, 2019 at 3:41 pm

    I am interested to get the licence for the home inspector.I am certified Engineering Technologist and experienced E&I QA inspector for the Oil and Gas .

    Reply
  14. Jeff Gauley says:
    October 4, 2019 at 9:19 am

    Hello, i am looking to become a licensed professional home inspector. Could someone please contact me with some more info?
    Jeff at 778 581 8518

    Reply
  15. Maria Bychkova says:
    August 29, 2019 at 3:40 pm

    Hi Mark,

    Thanks for your interest in the Home Inspection program. You can learn more details here: https://india.ashtoncollege.ca/programs/home-inspection-courses/

    If you have further questions about the curriculum, whether you can be exempt from certain courses and the admissions criteria are please contact our Admissions Officer at admissions@ashtoncollege.ca

    Reply
  16. Mark marangoni says:
    August 26, 2019 at 9:30 pm

    Hello im a master electrician , i want to be a home inspector do i need to still complete the section on electrical ?
    What is the cost of course online ?what is the first step to get this going ?
    Thankyou for your time

    Reply
  17. Jo Cantilever says:
    March 27, 2019 at 9:37 am

    I am a Canadian certified Public Health Inspector that inspects rental properties and other structures under the Public Health Act and Minimum Housing Regulations. I regularly work with municipal/provincial Building Safety Code Officers, and have 15 years direct, full time experience in this. Will I be required to take all of your courses? Can I challenge the cert exam with my existing training and experience?

    Reply
  18. Hyrum Lavoie says:
    March 24, 2019 at 4:41 pm

    Does this program help with placement after exam?

    Reply
    • Maria Bychkova says:
      March 25, 2019 at 10:30 am

      Hi Hyrum,

      Unfortunately, we do not provide any placement. However, the professional network you’ll start building during your studies might help you secure the job.

      Thanks!

      Reply
  19. baldhiraj meeda says:
    February 12, 2019 at 11:35 am

    I want to know about the requirement about english and others for this course . please contact me .
    2366885666

    Reply
  20. Naren says:
    January 30, 2019 at 3:53 pm

    Hello
    Iam interested in Home Inspectors program.
    guide me sequence of steps I need to perform to become a Inspector.

    Whets your institute can provide ?

    I want to study as a part time is that available.

    Iam an IT professional since 15 years but want to pursue this profession as part time then to full time

    Please advise

    Reply
    • Maria Bychkova says:
      January 31, 2019 at 10:00 am

      Hi Naren,

      Please refer to the article above that describes all the steps you need to take to become a home inspector.

      If you have specific questions about the program or wish to enroll please contact our Admissions Officer at (604) 628-5784 ext. 115 or admissions@ashtoncollege.ca

      Thank you!

      Reply
  21. Daniel Funk says:
    January 21, 2019 at 3:35 pm

    I am a journeyman Carpenter and I will be retiring from the fire service soon. I am interested in becoming a home inspector. Please reply with the cost and can I take online? Also is this course recognized in BC?

    Reply
    • Maria Bychkova says:
      January 22, 2019 at 3:22 pm

      Hi Daniel,

      Thank you for your interest in Home Inspection program. Home Inspection courses are offered in a LIVE Online format through face-to-face instructor-led webinars.

      The program consists of 10 courses. The registration fee is $295 per course. Please note that the fee does not include the cost of all required materials and/or textbooks.

      These courses are intended to prepare students for the Canadian Home Inspection Examination, as run through HIABC (Home Inspector’s Association of BC). In order to obtain your license, you will need to pass an examination.

      If you have any further questions, please contact our Admissions officer directly at (604) 628-5784 ext. 115 or admissions@ashtoncollege.ca

      Thank you!

      Reply
  22. brian machell says:
    October 6, 2018 at 2:12 am

    I have about 44yrs experience in most trades so how do I get home inspection license

    Reply
  23. mehran says:
    March 16, 2018 at 7:42 pm

    I prefer online course if possible

    Reply
    • Ekaterina Grishko says:
      May 30, 2018 at 11:22 am

      Hello Mehran,

      Ashton College offers Home Inspection courses in Live Online format.
      If you have more questions about the program or wish to enroll, please do not hesitate to contact our Admissions Officer today!
      admissions@ashtononline.ca
      (604) 628-5784; Toll free: 1 (844) 628-5784

      Hope this helps!

      Reply
  24. Home Inspection: Why Should You Get into This Industry Now - Ashton College says:
    October 26, 2017 at 3:18 am

    […] regulated by the provinces. British Columbia, for instance, requires home inspectors to go through 6 steps in order to become a licensed member with Consumer Protection BC, an organization that promotes a fair marketplace for BC consumers and […]

    Reply

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