When buying a home in Ontario, hiring a qualified home inspector is one of the most important steps in protecting your investment. Until recently, the only reliable credential for home inspectors was the Registered Home Inspector (RHI) designation— a provincially protected title governed by the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (OAHI). Only fully qualified members are legally entitled to use the RHI designation.
Unfortunately, many homebuyers still fall victim to unqualified inspectors. Labels like “certified” or “licensed” may sound official, but in Ontario, they carry no legal meaning. Without regulation, many non-affiliated inspectors operate without proper credentials, leaving consumers vulnerable during one of the largest purchases of their lives.
The National Certification Program: A New Standard
To address this issue, the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors (CAHPI) introduced the National Certification Program. Developed in collaboration with CMHC, federal authorities, and provincial home inspection associations—including OAHI—this initiative sets a measurable, nationwide standard for home inspectors.
Requirements for National Certificate Holders
To become a National Certificate Holder, a candidate must:
Be a practicing home inspector for at least one year
Complete a minimum of 200 hours of approved home inspection training
Receive 50 hours of field mentoring/practical training
Pass all relevant course examinations
Agree to uphold the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
The Peer Review Process (TIPR)
After meeting the above requirements, candidates undergo a rigorous Test Inspection with Peer Review (TIPR). This includes:
A live home inspection with known defects
Oral and written presentation of findings
A Q&A session with a panel of certified examiners
Evaluation by inspectors who have already passed the national process
Lastly, candidates must complete 150 fee-paid home inspections before achieving full National Certificate Holder status.
Why This Matters for Ontario Homebuyers
This national standard allows more qualified inspectors—whether affiliated or not—to compete fairly, giving homebuyers better options and stronger consumer protection.
You can verify an inspector’s certification status through:
National Certification Authority: www.nca-anc.com
OAHI (for Registered Home Inspectors in Ontario): www.oahi.com
RHI + National Certification = Gold Standard
For the best possible home inspection, look for an inspector who is both an RHI and a National Certificate Holder. This combination represents the highest industry standard in Ontario and across Canada.