Joining the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (OAHI)

Introduction Letter from the President

Thank you for visiting the website of the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (OAHI). Membership in OAHI is an earned credential and the best evidence of an Inspector's competence and professionalism. The OAHI is at the leading edge of the North American profession as the first self-regulating professional home inspection organization, and the 'RHI' designation ("Registered Home Inspector") is the recognized benchmark for competency for private practitioners in Ontario.

We look forward to welcoming you as a member of the OAHI in due course! The cost to receive the complete OAHI Membership and Course INFORMATION PACKAGE is $28.25 ($25.00 + $3.25 HST) to receive the package by hard copy mailing and $16.95 ($15.00 + $1.95 HST) to receive the package by email if payment is by credit card and an email is provided.  This amount may be deducted from the membership fee in the year the package was purchased. Click here for the interactive Information Package Order Form. Please forward your payment to the address on the form.  You may fax the form if payment is by credit card.

The Information Package will outline all the course information and requirements necessary to receive your designation of RHI - "Registered Home Inspector". Information about which courses are needed (which are baseline, which are eligible for the technical background requirements, etc.); where courses are available and/or when and where they will be held on weekends, exemption information, Membership Application, weekend course applications, and a back copy of our National newsletter, when available, are all included, and much more.

Please be advised that this information is NOT AVAILABLE VIA TELEPHONE OR EMAIL, however, we have tried to include as much as possible on our website under 'Additional Information'. Additional questions are answered in the information package.

Those aspiring to become Home Inspectors will have their credentials assessed and reviewed by the Board of Examiners when they submit their supporting documentation with their Application for Membership. PLEASE NOTE THAT SUCH ASSESSMENTS ARE NOT DONE FOR the public (non-members), and exemption questions cannot be answered on the telephone or by email, but are decided in committee.

For background information, home inspections began as a consumer service in the early 1970's in direct response to the growing demand by home buyers. It soon became apparent that selecting a home inspector was becoming as important as finding the right home. To meet this need, a core group Canadian Association of Home Inspectors (CAHI) was formed in 1982, which then joined with the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) in 1986. Membership qualification was based on ASHI requirements.  December 9th, 1994, the OAHI became a self-regulating professional body when the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors Act received royal assent (passage of Bill Pr148 by the Ontario government) on December 9th, 1994, granting the OAHI exclusive right to define qualification requirements, regulate its members and grant the designation "Registered Home Inspector" and "RHI" to qualified practitioners in the Province of Ontario. OAHI qualification is now based on completion of Community College courses and other requirements. (see Baseline Accreditation) 

The OAHI assisted in the development of other provincial home inspection organizations in Canada and acts as the representative of Ontario Home Inspectors through the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors (CAHPI). The OAHI was also instrumental in forming the National Certification Program with the goal of harmonizing national standards with OAHI qualifications. 

The OAHI has been busy with presenting the interests of professional home inspectors before government, the public, the media and other associations in the housing industry (such as real estate organizations). These contacts greatly increase public awareness of the benefits of a home inspection and thus directly benefit you as a home inspector.

The OAHI is dedicated to enhancing the technical skills and professional practice of Home Inspectors, and maintaining high professional standards through education and discipline. Members are finding that it is through education and sharing of information via publications, monthly meetings and educational seminars that the profession of a Home Inspector is enhanced. As well, promoting the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, as the broadly accepted requirements for professional home inspections, will enhance your status as a home inspector and benefit your business. It is a fact that an ever-increasing number of calls are coming from the public and from realtors and lawyers asking for home inspectors who are qualified and are affiliated with a professional organization. In due course, we would welcome the opportunity to add your name to the membership roster and advertise your name to the public.

Sincerely yours,

Robin Green, President
ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF HOME INSPECTORS