To better understand the skills of each inspector, you are encouraged to visit the following associations and certification groups to read more about their scope of practices and association ethics.
USA
American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)
As described by the association themselves, ASHI is a not-for-profit professional association for home inspectors and the largest and most respected professional association for home inspectors in North America. Through ASHI’s continued efforts, ASHI’s Standards of Practice—covering all of a home’s major systems—are now part of many pieces of state legislation and are recognized by consumers as the authoritative standard for professional home inspection.
ASHI provides resources for inspectors, consumers, real estate professionals and the media for information, advice and resources dedicated to home inspection. Here you’ll find a wealth of shared ASHI home inspection knowledge at your disposal. ASHI was formed in 1976 and today has more than 6,000 members and 80+ chapters.
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI)
As describe on their website, The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) is the world’s largest, non-profit inspection association. InterNACHI’s home buying clients enjoy the professionalism only InterNACHI Certified Inspectors can provide. InterNACHI’s inspectors have all successfully passed InterNACHI’s Inspector Examination, taken a Standards of Practice Quiz, completed a Code of Ethics Course, adhere to Standards of Practice, abide by a Code of Ethics, attend required continuing education courses, and are InterNACHI Certified.
National Home Inspector Certification Council (NHICC)
As described on their website, the Canadian-based National Home Inspector Certification Council (NHICC) is a non-profit federal corporation controlled by an elected Board of Directors. The main purpose of the NHICC is to provide a background review and assessment system that will independently certify home inspectors that meet the National Occupational Standard. The “program” is open to all home inspectors regardless of affiliation. The NHICC is completely independent and provides the same value and rigor required for certification and accreditation as specified by the National Initiative, minus the provincial association influence. The NHICC is not an association of members, but rather it is a true certification entity with “registrants” that value independent third-party certification and accountability to consumers
National Association of Home Inspectors, Inc. (NAHI)
As listed on their website, The National Association of Home Inspectors, Inc. (NAHI) was established in 1987 as a nonprofit association to promote and develop certified and licensed home inspectors in the professional home inspection industry. The National Association of Home Inspectors strives to promote excellence and professionalism in the Home Inspection industry; to provide a home inspector standards of practice and a code of ethics for home inspectors in the USA.
NAHI’s national home inspector association also educates its home inspector members and informs the public of the benefits and scope of a professional home inspection. NAHI Home Inspectors must meet strict membership requirements and are held to the highest Standards of Practice in the home inspector industry. NAHI Home Inspectors continue to build their knowledge each year by attending home inspector educational events.
NAHI now has over 2000 members in all 50 U.S. states and Canada
Housing Inspection Foundation (HIF)
The Housing Inspection Foundation (HIF), as described on the foundation’s own website, is an organization of professionals dedicated to the promotion and development of Home Inspection. HIF was created to provide members with information, education, standards, ethics, and professional recognition. The HIF believes that the home inspection industry is the fastest growing profession today, and that this creates new opportunities for those who are involved in the real estate, construction or environmental fields who are willing to learn how to perform these vital services-including home inspectors, building inspectors, real estate professionals, construction inspectors, and remodeling contractors.
National Academy of Building Inspection Engineers (NABIE)
Accepting only members who are state-licensed professional engineers and registered architects specializing in the practice of building inspection engineering, the National Academy of Building Inspection Engineers (NABIE), works to establish the highest standards for the building and home inspection industry and to verify the qualifications of individuals offering these services.
As an organization, NABIE strives to protect the integrity of the home and building inspection industry, and thus, the general public. Established in 1989, NABIE reviews legislation, examines court cases, and monitors relevant government activities in all states. NABIE interfaces with affiliated real estate associations and commissions, state engineering boards and other standard setting organizations.
National Institute of Building Inspectors (NIBI)
As described on their website in their own words, the National Institute of Building Inspectors has been providing home inspection training courses to inspection professionals for over 20 years. NIBI has succeeded in helping home inspectors provide the highest quality service to their clients while reducing their personal exposure through knowledgeable, accurate reporting. Unlike other training organizations, NIBI’s home inspection training programs and trainers have decades of training and inspection experience and have assisted thousands of inspectors who have collectively performed almost 2 million home inspections.
Independent Home Inspectors of North America (IHINA)
As described by the organization, IHINA is a professional organization dedicated to providing accurate and unbiased homebuyer information. IHINA seeks to inform prospective homebuyers of their rights, responsibilities and the inherent conflict of interest between real estate agents and home inspectors.
Canada
Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors (CAHPI)
As described on their website, the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors (CAHPI) is a national association, whose mission is to promote and develop the home inspection profession. CAHPI is considered the voice of Canada’s “home inspection industry”.
Home inspections began as a consumer service in the 1970′s and it soon became apparent that selecting a Home Inspector was becoming as important as selecting a qualified real estate professional, or even the right home.
To meet this need, the Canadian Association of Home Inspectors (CAHI) was formed in 1982. CAHI operated as the Canadian arm of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), until 1994, when several provincial/regional organizations formed CAHI National. In September 2002, the name of CAHI was changed to the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors (CAHPI). Members who pass certification by CAHPI can use the designation of a Registered Home Inspectors (RHI)
Canada’s Commercial and Home Inspector Association (CanNACHI)
As described on their website, the Canadian National Association of Certified Home Inspectors, Inc. (CanNACHI) was established as a Canadian Association to promote, develop and apply national uniform standards of competency for home inspectors across Canada. CMHC supports national uniform standards of competency for home inspectors. Part of CanNACHI’s mission is described as “providing direction and a voice for Canadian Home Inspectors and to transform lives through ongoing learning and thus providing leadership ongoing mentoring that produces Highly Knowledgeable Home Inspectors with the skills necessary to sustain individual career success within the home inspection Industry. To provide high quality, innovative, and responsive leadership and mentoring programs.”
