Starting a Home Inspection Career

Candidate Members of the Home Inspectors Association BC (HIABC) are non-practicing home inspectors in training. Candidates are encouraged to begin attending Association educational webinars and in person education events while working through the training program requirements. Not only will you receive valuable education and get a head start on your 20 annual mandatory educational credits, you will have the opportunity to network with other candidates and home inspectors.

We are committed to ensuring you gain the skills, knowledge, and professionalism needed to succeed in your home inspection career. Our office staff and trainers provide full support throughout the entire process and beyond. Plus, with our comprehensive candidate package designed to help you succeed, you’ll have everything you need to confidently move forward in your career as a home inspector.

Candidate Membership Fee $100 + GST

Canadian Home Inspection Exam (CHIE) Registration $400 +GST

Sign up here:  HIABC Candidate for Membership + CHIE Registration Jan25

1.  EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS – Candidate members must provide proof of a minimum 150 hours of academic training from a post secondary institution or a registered or accredited private post secondary institution home inspection program as approved by Consumer Protection BC https://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/get-keep-licence/home-inspections/.

Including, but not limited to:

• The Carson Dunlop Home Inspection Online Training Program – comes with 10 online courses available through a comprehensive online learning platform.  For details and Course Order Form: HIABC-How-to-Order-2024  Our Canadian Home Inspection Exams (CHIE) are closely based on the Carson Dunlop training program.

2.  CANADIAN HOME INSPECTION EXAMS (CHIE) INDUSTRY EXAMS  – developed by HIABC in partnership with the University of British Columbia, the CHI Exams are approved by Consumer Protection BC under the Home Inspector Licensing Regulation. These exams can be written via Zoom and proctored by HIABC or in person at proctor sites in most areas of BC.  Exams are each one hour in length and consist of 50 multiple choice questions. The passing grade for each exam is 75%. As a candidate member, the cost to write all 8 exams is $400 + GST.

After completing your Home Inspection Program, or each individual module of your program, you are eligible to take the corresponding industry (CHI) exam. The CHI exams cover the following subjects: Structure, Electrical, Heating, A/C & Heat Pumps, Plumbing, Exterior/Roofing, Interior/Insulation/Ventilation, and Business Practices/Standards of Practice.

Candidates who do not pass an exam must wait seven (7) days before attempting a second attempt. If the second attempt is unsuccessful, candidates must wait thirty (30) days before re-writing the exam a third time. Candidates who fail the third attempt will have their application terminated.

Rewrite fees are $25 + GST, payable at the time the rewrite is scheduled.

You will be required to include a criminal record check when you apply to CPBC for your license to practice.   If this might be of concern to you, please contact our office prior to submitting your Candidate for Membership application to discuss.  We also recommend that you contact Consumer Protection BC in advance of starting the program, to ensure your past record will not affect licensing.

Candidate membership application and CHI exam registration – $500 +GST:

HIABC Candidate for Membership Application + CHIE Registration Jan25

CHI Exam Registration only – $500 +GST, does not include Candidate Membership:

Canadian Home Inspection Exam (CHIE) Application Only Jan25

3.  FIELD TRAINING – HIABC upholds higher standards and training requirements than those currently mandated by Consumer Protection BC (CPBC). While CPBC requires trainers or examiners to have completed just 250 fee-paid inspections, HIABC trainers must have completed a minimum of 500 inspections, and examiners 1,000 inspections. CPBC mandates only 50 hours of training, whereas HIABC requires a minimum of 75 hours, with 75% of those hours coming from group field training sessions specifically tailored to our candidate members.

After you have passed 5 of the 8 industry exams you can start your training and earn up to 28 hours of field training prior to completing your remaining exams.

Training is available in most areas of the province, however, the trainee may have to travel to other areas if there are not sufficient numbers of trainers in their immediate area. Based on typical candidate failure rates in Peer Review Examinations, HIABC recommends up to 100 – 125 hours of field training for most trainees, particularly those who do not have a background in the industry

HIABC Report Writing Course:  All new candidates are required to complete our exclusive Report Writing Course.  Developed by home inspectors, this course is designed to ensure you meet HIABC’s high reporting standards and is a crucial step in your training. We highly recommend taking the course before you begin your field training. It’s available online, takes approximately one hour to complete, and costs just $25 +GST. This course will provide you with the foundational skills to write clear, thorough reports that align with association and industry standards.

4.  REPORT VERIFICATION – During your field training, starting at 28 hours or sooner, you will be required to submit inspection reports to your trainers for review. These reports will be evaluated to ensure they comply with the HIABC Scope of Inspection and our association’s required report writing standards. Familiarity with a report writing software system is essential, and we strongly recommend that you become proficient in your chosen system prior to beginning your training. This is a critical part of your development, as most Peer Review Inspection failures, complaints, and legal claims stem from poorly written reports. It is your responsibility to ensure your reporting system meets the HIABC Scope of Inspection.

5. PEER REVIEW INSPECTION – As part of the HIABC Candidate membership and CPBC licensing process, you will be required to successfully complete a Peer Review Inspection (PRI). You must receive confirmation from your most recent group field trainer that you are ready for the PRI. The inspection will be set up by an HIABC/CPBC approved examiner, who will be aware of the significant deficiencies and safety issues of the property before you conduct the inspection. After completing the inspection, you will present your report to the examiner. Your report will be reviewed, and your score will be determined. Following the review, your PRI Scoresheet will be sent to you.

6.  INSURANCE – After successful completion of your PRI, you will be ready to purchase mandatory Errors & Omissions Insurance (E&O) and Commercial General Liability Insurance (CGL) coverage.  You are required by legislation to carry a minimum of $1M in both E&O and CGL. Your E&O must include water ingress.

HIABC members are able to obtain insurance coverage through our Professional Insurance Plan (PIP).  Our Plan exceeds the mandatory limit, offering $1M/2M aggregate.  The annual cost  is pro-rated to our membership year (September 1st). Although participation in the Plan is not mandatory, most members choose the HIABC Plan which was ‘developed by home inspectors for home inspectors’ in 2004.  We strive to keep our premiums lower than the general market and offer complaint assistance as a member benefit.

Comprehensive General Liability Insurance (CGL) can also be purchased at a reduced rate as an HIABC member.

Payment plans are available for our E&O Insurance.  Members of PIP must agree to follow current PIP Guidelines & Procedures.

7.  LICENSING – To apply for your license with Consumer Protection BC, you must submit your licensing application documents along with payment, proof of education, proof of successfully completing your industry exams, signed field training hours, a successful PRI letter from your examiner, and proof of insurance coverage. Your license will be issued after a criminal record check is completed.

As of January 1, 2025, the CPBC annual license fee for new inspectors is $1378. For early renewal (2 weeks before April 1st), the fee is $1268, or $1344 if renewed after that. New inspectors applying between October and April will pay a reduced fee of $693.

8.  COSTS – Approximate costs of becoming a home inspector include:

• Home Inspection Course $5,000 -/+
• HIABC Candidate Membership Application $100
• 8 Canadian Home Inspection Exams (CHIE) $400
• Exam Proctoring fee virtually $160
• Field Training $3,000+.   Group & individual training is available thru HIABC/CPBC approved trainers; fees for group training with 7 hours is $250 plus a portion of the house rental for the day.  Fees are paid directly to the trainer who will provide you with a tax receipt.
• HIABC Report Writing Course $25
• Peer Review Inspection (PRI) $500
• Insurance:
• HIABC Professional Insurance Plan (PIP) Errors & Omissions Coverage – $3950+
• HIABC Member Comprehensive General Liability (CGL) Coverage – $400 +
• Association Membership – $500 annually prorated to September 1st
• Inspection Reporting System $1,200 +
• New license through Consumer Protection BC $1378 annually, April 1st
• + Business start up costs; Tools; Vehicle expense; Advertising/Marketing; Ongoing Education
• On average, your start-up cost to become a home inspector, including education, may be in the range of $20,000. It is recommended that you have a 5 year business plan in place while building your business.  Often new inspectors will need to rely on another source of income during this time.