Licensing of home inspectors

Thanks to some media publications and the likes of a certain contractor-turned TV personality, home inspectors have been painted with the tainted brush of entertainment.
Are some home inspectors more experienced, qualified and trained than other's? Of course they are. Like any service or profession, there are good, bad and ugly stories to be told. It's human nature for us to hear about the bad and ugly ones, which typically only make up about 10% of the other good or great inspections people have had.
Which brings me to accountability: Who oversees the home inspectors? Who regulates the home inspection industry? Nobody?
The answer is not so simple: Here in Canada, the home inspection industry is largely unregulated, although one main association here in Ontario- *OAHI and other provincial arms under CAHPI, have been trying to position themselves as the regulating body for the home inspection industry for some time. They are recognized by CMHC and other government entities, so this may come to pass. There are other associations that inspectors belong to who are trying to be recognized, but cannot make headway into the mix to be considered as alternatives.
British Columbia and Alberta are the only 2 provinces to date to license its home inspectors. The closest accreditation to a licensed home inspector elsewhere is a Registered Home Inspector. Not to say that other inspectors are less qualified if they are not RHI's, because many are. It's just what is recognized by real estate offices, CMHC and Government and even that contractor turned TV personality that thinks he knows all about what a home inspector should have seen, thinks that you should choose a registered home inspector.
Rumour has it that Ontario has plans to license the home inspection industry, but when is any one's guess. I'm sure there are many things that need to be in place before this can happen. I for one, look forward to being a licensed home inspector, and I know that many of my fellow inspectors do as well. For those of us that are full time home inspectors, we welcome the opportunity to add credence to our trade and state that we are professionals.
For consumers; Licensing of home inspectors will provide a standard for home inspections that should reduce the "Ugly" stories to a minimum. The majority of bad and ugly inspection stories seem to be mostly caused by inexperienced, untrained or poorly educated home inspectors. As an RHI (Registered Home Inspector) will tell you: The requirements to become an RHI are tough and designed to elevate that person to a level that inspires confidence and professionalism.

For Inspectors; Becoming licensed means you have earned the right to be called a professional home inspector. Good or bad, you have at least met minimum requirements, other than an online exam taken through a home inspection association. The licensing of inspectors will thin the heard and reduce the chaff that causes the headaches- at least until they have finished their education and put in the effort to become a properly trained inspector. If you have put in your time for education, training, experience and so forth, you deserve to be considered for an inspection booking over the person without your investment of time and money- right?

In my opinion...

Darren St.Jacques
(soon to be an RHI)

*OAHI (Ontario Association of Home Inspectors) CAHPI (Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors)