The 2027 RBQ Inspector Certificate: What Changes for Brokers

The reform's timeline

Québec's building inspection regulation came into force on October 1, 2024. Inspectors already practising have a transition period to submit their application, until August 2, 2027. As of October 1, 2027, holding a certificate from the Régie du bâtiment will be mandatory to practise as a building inspector in Québec.

To obtain the certificate, the inspector must notably complete recognized training based on the BNQ 3009-500 standard, hold liability insurance and use a compliant service contract. These requirements largely overlap the criteria brokers already check under section 81, presented in the obligations of a broker recommending an inspector.

Two certificate categories

The reform distinguishes two categories. The first covers residential buildings of one to six units, as well as private portions of condominiums. The second covers larger buildings and requires additional specialized training. This distinction matters to brokers: an inspector certified in the first category isn't necessarily qualified for a larger building.

In practice, check the certificate category against the property. For a condo in a large building, inspecting the private portion falls under the first category, while assessing the building's common areas may call for a different type of expertise.

What the reform changes on your list

After October 1, 2027, recommending an inspector who doesn't hold the certificate will be very hard to justify in the face of a complaint, since the inspector would be practising without the title the law requires. It's prudent to add this criterion to your list review now, as we suggest in the inspector list with more than one name.

Ask each inspector where they stand in the process and when they expect to be certified. Then set yourself a cut-off date, before the regulatory deadline, after which you'll only recommend certified inspectors. That avoids a last-minute scramble in September 2027.

Keep the proof on file as you collect it. A copy of each certificate, or at least its number and category, makes your annual list review quick and gives you something concrete to point to if a client ever questions your recommendations.

Explaining the reform to your clients

Buyers hear about the reform and ask questions. A simple explanation is enough: starting in October 2027, every inspector will have to be certified by the Régie du bâtiment, with training based on a recognized standard. Until then, the section 81 criteria still apply, and your list takes them into account.

For buyers who want more detail, our consumer article on the RBQ building inspector certificate explains the reform from their point of view. The complete guide for real estate brokers also places the reform within your broader obligations.

Questions to ask inspectors right now

During the transition period, a few simple questions are enough to take stock with each inspector on your list. Have they submitted their certificate application, and for which category? Have they completed training based on the BNQ 3009-500 standard? Do their service contract and insurance already meet the new requirements?

The answers tell you who will be ready in time and who may not be. An inspector who can't answer these questions clearly a few months before the deadline is a signal to take seriously, however good their past reports may have been.

Record the answers with a date. When you review your list again a few months later, you'll see at a glance who has progressed and who hasn't, which makes the final decision straightforward rather than a judgment call made under pressure.

Preparing the transition with a partner

A good inspection partner keeps you informed of its own certification process without you having to ask, and provides the proof you need for your file. It's a sign of professionalism that matters when choosing the names on your list.

To learn how our network is preparing for the deadline and how to send us a request on a client's behalf, see our page for partner brokers. Require the certificate from every inspector you recommend, ours included.