Directive 4 – Licence Display Requirements
Effective: February 1, 2021
Last Updated: February 1, 2021
DISPLAYING LICENCE AT PLACES OF BUSINESS AND ONLINE
Purpose
This directive sets out how licensees are to fulfil their obligation under the New Home Construction Licensing Act, 2017 (NHCLA) s. 4 of O. Reg. 626/20: General , which states:
4. A licensee shall prominently display the licence,
a) at the licensee’s principal business address,
b) on the licensee’s website, if any; and
c) at any premises where the licensee conducts business with the public.
Requirement
At the licensee’s principal business address and any premises where the licensee conducts business with the public, the licensee must ensure the licence is clearly displayed without obstruction, in a location that is accessible to the public, and easy for the public to read.
On the licensee’s website (or main social media presence in the absence of a website), the licensee must ensure the licence is easily located on website and easily readable by the public.
The licence is the only document that the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) requires a licensee to display. No alternative document or image may replace the requirement to display the licence.
Transition
Under NHCLA s.86 and 86.1, former Tarion registrants automatically transition to be HCRA licensees on February 1, 2021. Their licence number remains valid.
Their existing Tarion licence should be displayed. Former Tarion registrants who automatically transitioned to an HCRA licence on February 1, 2021, will receive a digital copy of their HCRA licence when the HCRA approves their application for renewal of their licence. The obligation to display an HCRA licence begins when the HCRA has delivered it to the licensee.
If there are any questions about the validity of the licence, the Ontario Builder Directory (OBD) contains up-to-date information about the status of a licence.