In order to establish a consistent level of competence among all home inspectors across Canada, all applicants will be required to follow the same process and adhere to the same standards.

Application for Background Review

All applications are assessed by the National Certification Council who compares the individual's personal background to the background requirements for each stage.

 Test Inspection with Peer Review

Each applicant will be required to inspect a house with known deficiencies and deliver both a verbal and written report on the home to an evaluator.  The written report must meet the requirements of the Standards of Practice and the Code of Ethics.

Standards of Practice

National Occupational Standards

Code of Ethics

Honesty, justice, and courtesy form a moral philosophy which, associated with mutual interest among people, constitutes the foundation of ethics.  The members should recognize such a standard, not in passive observance, but in a set of dynamic principles guiding their conduct.  It is their duty to practice the profession according to this code of ethics.

As the keystone of professional conduct is integrity, the members will discharge their duties with fidelity to the public, their clients, and with fairness and impartiality to all.  They should uphold the honour and dignity of their profession and avoid association with any enterprise of questionable character, or apparent conflict of interest.

The member will express an opinion only when it is based on practical experience and honest conviction.

The member will always act in good faith toward each client.

The member will not disclose any information concerning the results of the inspection without the approval of the clients or their representatives.

The member will not accept compensation, financial or otherwise, from more than one interested party for the same service without the consent of all interested parties.

The member will promptly disclose to his or her client any interest in a business which may affect the client.  The member will not allow an interest in any business to affect the quality of the results of their inspection work which they may be called upon to perform.  The inspection work may not be used as a vehicle by the inspector to deliberately obtain work in another field.

An inspector shall make every effort to uphold, maintain, and improve the professional integrity, reputation, and practice of the home inspection profession.  He/she will report all such relevant information, including violation of this Code by other members, to the Association for possible remedial action.

Standards of Practice

The Standards of Practice are a set of guidelines for home inspectors to follow in the performance of their inspections.  They are the most widely accepted home inspection guidelines in use, and include all the home's major systems and components.

The Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics are recognized by many related professions as the definitive standard for professional performance in the industry.

 Download Standards of Practice

Occupational Standards

The Alliance of Canadian Building Officials' Association (ACBOA) and the Canadian Association of home and Property Inspectors (CAHPI with the assistance of Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) collaborated to develop national standards for the public and private sectors of the building inspection industry.  The occupational standard describes the skill, knowledge and abilities required to perform the duties as a professional home & property inspection.  The occupational standards form the basis for training, curriculum development, career development and the certification of practitioners.  The committee reports are listed below:

CHIBO Questions & Answers

Common Core Competencies

PBO Occupational Standards

CMHC Research Highlights