Three-Day Residential Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Investigator Course
The three-day IAQ Investigator Course is the first step in the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Residential Investigator Training Program. The second step is a field-training phase. Individuals who satisfactorily complete both the course and field training receive a diploma acknowledging completion of all required elements. Graduates’ names may be included in a referral listing of Canadian residential IAQ investigators which will be widely distributed to CMHC offices.The IAQ investigator course is comprehensive--with emphasis on residential indoor air quality. Over the three days, the course deals with the subject in-depth to give the participant a good understanding of the types of indoor pollution problems found in homes, the health impact of these problems and their solutions.
The course includes a site visit to a house where participants will learn how to use the IAQ inspection protocol developed for residential inspections. Course participants learn how to prioritize remediation measures, how to advise homeowners and how to write reports. The three-day session also includes discussion of client-investigator relationships, liabilities, conflicts of interest, professional fees, and codes of practice.
The field training enables the trainees to learn and improve their skills in conducting IAQ investigations. Each trainee investigates four problem houses. The trainees’ reports on these houses are submitted for review and critiqued by qualified reviewers.
Performance is reviewed after completion of the 3-day training in the classroom, then on an ongoing basis during the field training. Successful completion of the program is based on demonstration of competence. CMHC reserves the right not to issue the diploma or to remove the name of the individual from the listing for reasons such as evidence of unsatisfactory performance or misrepresentation or violation of codes of practice agreed upon by the investigators.
For further information, please contact the IAQ Program Coordinator, 307 - 360 Frank St, Ottawa, ON K2P 0Y2. Telephone: (613) 680-7547, Fax: (613) 680-7584, E-mail: info@iaq-qai.com.
APPLICATION FORM
for the
Residential IAQ Investigator Training Program
- You may apply online by filling out the form below and clicking the "submit" button.
- For your own records, you may wish to copy and paste some of your longer responses into another document to save them.
- All information is strictly confidential and will not be passed on to a third party.
- Fields marked with * are required
IMPORTANT (please read before you sign the application)
Registration for the three-day courses is limited. Because the number of applicants exceeds the available spaces, selection will be made on a competitive basis. The registration fee* for the course is $1099 + 5% GST and is due when the successful applicant is notified. Please do not send any fees until requested to do so.
Please note that the 3-day Residential IAQ Investigator course is intended for those who already have a solid background in residential construction, residential mechanical and ventilation systems, and building envelope principles, such as registered home inspectors, architectural technologists, R2000 builders, etc. The course does not provide instruction in these areas; rather, it is intended to build on and expand participants’ existing knowledge base into the field of indoor air quality.
To assist in evaluating the suitability of their training and experience for the Residential IAQ Investigator course, applicants are asked to send in a copy of their résumé, or a letter providing details of their educational and job history in addition to the completed application form.
Please note that acceptance into the field training phase that follows the three-day course is not automatic. In cases where it is determined that a student would benefit from additional training either prior to being considered for admission into the Field Training or to be permitted to continue, supplementary courses may be recommended or required. Applicants from related fields (such as public health inspection, real estate, insurance, disaster restoration, etc.) may in some cases be admitted to the 3-day course only without continuing on to the Field Training component.
The field training component of the Program is optional. However, to complete CMHC’s Residential IAQ Investigator Program, the participant must go through a field training process involving four house investigations to be submitted individually for review. For those accepted into the field training, it is strongly recommended that be completed within a year from taking the course. A review fee* of $275 plus applicable taxes is required for each case house. Participants who successfully complete all required program elements will be issued a diploma acknowledging completion.
Performance will be reviewed on an ongoing basis during the 3-day training in the classroom and during the field training. Compelling reasons (e.g., complaints from clients, conflicts of interest, insufficient knowledge, etc.) may result in disqualification from or termination of the training at any point. All fees are non-refundable.
Upon completion of the program, neither CMHC, the trainers, nor the partners in this initiative will assume responsibility for the IAQ investigations. Liabilities for residential IAQ investigations will be borne by the investigator.
* Current fees are posted on the website (www.iaq-qai.com) and are subject to change without notice.
By filling out the form and entering your name in the "Signed" field, you will have indicated that you understand and accept the above information
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