Starting a Home Inspection Career

Becoming a Licensed Home Inspector with HIABC

Start Your Career as a Licensed Home Inspector in BC

Become one of BC’s most respected and top-booked Home Inspectors.

Your expertise is valuable, and as an inspector you will help home buyers and owners make the best decisions for their homes. With HIABC membership our Candidate Program will provide you access to unparallelled support for your business as well as a network of colleagues and professionals who share the values of quality and meticulous attention to detail. Designed to walk you through each stage from education and exams to field training and final licensing with personalized support at every step!

As a Candidate Member, you’ll gain access to:

A proven education and training program aligned with BC’s licensing requirements
Live webinars and in-person events that count toward your 20 mandatory annual continuing education credits
Valuable opportunities to network with industry professionals and fellow trainees
Expert guidance from HIABC’s experienced trainers and office staff, who are committed to supporting you from your first course through to licensing.

With enhanced field training standards, access to industry-recognized insurance options, and direct connections to Consumer Protection BC’s licensing process, HIABC equips you with the tools, knowledge, and professionalism needed to thrive in this growing profession.

Join the most respected home inspection association in BC and take the first confident step toward your new career.

Candidate Membership Fee $100 + GST

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

1. EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS – Candidate members must be completing (or have completed) their education through one of the approved home inspector programs 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 provides hands-on training designed to fully prepare our candidate members for success. Our program meets the required minimum of 50 hours, with most new inspectors completing 70–100 hours of field training to gain real-world experience and confidence. A group trainer sign-off is required before moving forward to a PRI, ensuring every candidate is ready and supported throughout their training

After you have passed 5 of the 8 industry exams you can start your training and earn up to 20 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.

HIABC Defect Recognition Course (DRC): All new candidates are required to complete one of the HIABC DRC courses prior to moving forward to the PRI. These courses provide members with training to identify, assess, and document common home defects. Through practical exercises and real-world examples, candidates develop the skills and confidence needed to recognize issues accurately and provide professional, thorough reports that meet HIABC’s high standards. Course cost is $185 +GST. Courses are offered online regularly and in person once a year.

4. REPORT VERIFICATION – During your field training 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
HIABC Defect Recognition Course $185
Peer Review Inspection (PRI) $500
Inspection Reporting System $1,200 +
HIABC Professional Insurance Plan (PIP) Errors & Omissions Coverage – $4025
HIABC Member Comprehensive General Liability (CGL) Coverage – $400 +
Association Membership – $650 annually prorated to September 1st
New license through Consumer Protection BC $1461 annually as of January 1st 2026
+ 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.