Home inspectors provide an objective, independent and comprehensive analysis of a home's major systems and components. Students in this College Certificate program learn the technical skills to assess and report on the condition of a home and its systems, as well as the business communication skills to build a successful practice in the home inspection field. Topics include roofing, insulation, structural, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning and interior/exterior structures and systems in residential dwellings.

The program delivers the authorized curriculum as developed by Carson Dunlop and Associates. The courses fulfill the core academic requirements for Candidate Membership in the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (OAHI), which is one step towards the "Registered Home Inspector" (RHI) designation that is granted by OAHI. The RHI designation incorporates the Standards of Practice of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors (CAHPI).

To qualify for this certificate, you must complete the program within three years.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Are self-directed.
• Possess an applied technical and computer aptitude.
• Are willing to work in a variety of challenging work settings and are physically mobile.
• Have an interest in engineering, construction and related building trades.

Careers

Employment opportunities may include practising as a private home inspector providing consulting services to buyers or vendors of existing and new residential homes and advising on the condition of buildings and building components for valuation, maintenance or insurance purposes.

Pathways

Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Conduct a home inspection in accordance with accepted standards and practices.
2. Identify and use correct terminology for the various components of a building.
3. Perform visual assessment of a residential property including, roofing, structure, electrical, heating/air conditioning and heat pumps, ventilation, plumbing, insulation, interior and exterior.
4. Identify conditions and defects affecting residential property performance, and recommend corrective actions.
5. Use inspection tools and resources common to the profession.
6. Communicate with clients during all stages of an inspection and provide a written report documenting a description of the building systems and components as well as conditions requiring attention.
7. Comply with legislation, regulations and business practices related to the home inspection industry in Ontario.
8. Conduct a hazard free home inspection and ensure the safety of inspector, clients and others.
9. Identify and describe the role, responsibilities and limitations of authority associated with the home inspector role.

Application Information

Registration Note:

If you would like to take courses individually or start the program part time, you are not required to apply to the program. You can register for up to three courses per term by clicking on the course title and selecting "Register Online".

Program Resources

International students wishing to study online should visit https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/international for information related to International online students and for International fees information prior to registering. Please note that AC Online programs do not qualify international students for new study permits or study permit extensions.

Students interested in obtaining the Registered Home Inspector (RHI) designation with the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (OAHI), are encouraged to review the information on the OAHI website at https://www.oahi.com.

Note that OAHI requires that you have achieved a minimum grade of 70% or higher in each course. OAHI also requires students to complete a Defect Recognition and Reporting course, offered directly through OAHI, as well as residential building code training comprised of the successful completion of the Building Code qualification exam (House 2012) available through Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) at https://www.ontario.ca/page/ministry-municipal-affairs-housing.

Each course in this program requires students to purchase the relevant textbook directly from the publisher, Carson Dunlop, via the College Bookstore at https://www.algonquincollege.com/coursematerials/students/.

PRIOR LEARNING AND RECOGNITION (PLAR):
Students who wish to apply for PLAR need to demonstrate competency at a post-secondary level in all of the course learning requirements. Evidence of learning achievements for PLAR candidates may include a comprehensive challenge examination and/or completion of a portfolio.

AC Online ACADEMIC PLANNER:
The Academic Planner provides registered part-time students the ability to declare into a program of study. The Academic Planner outlines successfully completed courses to date, as well as courses that need to be completed in order to meet graduation requirements. It is, therefore, essential that all part-time students declare to their program of study, allowing administrators to plan course offerings. The tool is available on ACSIS, located under 'Part-time Students' on the left-hand toolbar.

PROGRAM PROGRESSION:
As per policy AA39: Program Progression and Graduation Requirements when students are admitted to a program, they are assigned to the Program of Study that aligns with their start date. If a student takes a break for two or more consecutive terms the Program of Study is reset to align with the current version (when studies are resumed).

Future Students

For additional information, please contact our Customer Service Representative team at online@algonquincollege.com and they will direct you to the best person to answer your specific questions.

Current Students

For additional information, please reference the AC Online Circle of Care.