Home inspector, appraiser or BC Assessment: who does what

A home inspector checks condition, an appraiser estimates value, BC Assessment values for property tax. How each is licensed in BC and looked up.

Last checked November 8, 2026. Every rule below names its source; the official pages are listed at the end with their own dates.

In short

Home inspectors in BC must be licensed by Consumer Protection BC and carry $1 million of errors-and-omissions and $1 million of general liability insurance.
Appraisers estimate market value; the Appraisal Institute of Canada gives the CRA (residential) and AACI (all property) designations.
BC Assessment's value reflects the market on July 1 of the year before, so it can differ from an appraisal.

BC home prices by city and town Mortgage calculator (Canada and USA)

Home inspector: the condition of the home

Licensed by Consumer Protection BC under the Home Inspector Licensing Regulation.
To be licensed: 150 hours of approved education, an approved exam, 50 hours of inspections with a licensee and a peer letter (s.3). A licence lasts up to 3 years (s.5).
The inspection contract must not limit the inspector's liability (s.12).
Consumer Protection BC requires $1 million of errors-and-omissions and $1 million of general liability insurance.
Check an inspector with Find an individual licensee.

Appraiser: what the home is worth

An appraiser estimates the market value of a property, often for a lender. Appraisals are exempt from real estate licensing in BC (Real Estate Services Regulation s.2.8). The Appraisal Institute of Canada gives two designations: CRA (Canadian Residential Appraiser, residential property) and AACI (all property types), and has a Find an Appraiser search.

BC Assessment: the value for property tax

BC Assessment values every property each year for property tax. Its value reflects the market as of July 1 of the previous year, and the physical condition as of the end of October, so it can differ from a bank or private appraisal, which can be done at any time.

Actual sale prices

For what homes really sold for, our BC city and town pages show the average price and number of homes sold in every BC municipality, from the Province's property transfer tax records. Real estate agents are licensed by BCFSA; check one in its Find a professional search.

Questions

Do home inspectors need a licence in BC?

Yes. Home inspectors are licensed by Consumer Protection BC under the Home Inspector Licensing Regulation.

What is the difference between an appraisal and an assessment?

An appraisal estimates today's market value for a buyer or lender; a BC Assessment value is for property tax and reflects the market on July 1 of the previous year.

What do AACI and CRA mean?

They are Appraisal Institute of Canada designations: CRA for residential property, AACI for all property types.

How do I check a home inspector's licence?

Use Consumer Protection BC's Find an individual licensee search.

Sources

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Last checked November 8, 2026. General information only - not financial, legal, tax or real estate advice. Rules change: confirm with the official source or a licensed professional before you act.