HCRA Per Unit Oversight Fee
As of May 1, 2023, the HCRA will directly collect the Per Unit Oversight Fee currently collected by Tarion at the time of enrolment.
There are no changes to the amount of the fee ($145 per enrolled unit + HST). This is the same fee that has been in place since the HCRA launched on February 1, 2021. The only change is that the Per Unit Oversight Fee will be invoiced and collected independently by the HCRA starting May 1, 2023.
The HCRA Per Unit Oversight Fee is currently collected by Tarion at the time of enrolment and as of May 1, 2023 will be directly collected by the HCRA. There are no changes to the amount of the fee ($145 per enrolled unit + HST). This is the same fee that has been in place since the HCRA launched on February 1, 2021.
Tarion has collected the Per Unit Oversight Fee on behalf of the HCRA's since February 1, 2021. As of May 1, 2023, the HCRA will collect the fees directly. Tarion will continue to be responsible for compiling and reporting enrolment information to the HCRA for invoicing purposes.
Invoices will be issued weekly based on enrolments confirmed by Tarion. Invoices are due upon receipt. For example, if Tarion reports Builder A has enrolled:
- 10 units on June 4
- 15 units on June 22
- Invoice 1 dated June 9 for $1,638.50 (10 units x $145 + HST)
- Invoice 2 dated June 23 for $2,457.75 (15 units x $145 + HST)
The primary contact listed on your account in the Builder Portal will receive the invoices and monthly statements. It is the licensee’s responsibility to ensure all contacts are up-to-date. You may update your contact by calling 1-800-582-7994 or emailing info@hcraontario.ca and a member of our team will be able to assist.
Each month, the HCRA will issue statements inclusive of all invoices issued and payment received in the last 60 days. Copies of prior invoices will be available upon request. Invoices are due upon receipt.
Failure to remit payment to the HCRA is a violation of section 29(1)(b) of the New Home Construction Licensing Act, 2017 and its regulations and may result in regulatory action, including a revocation of your licence. It may also result in a court collection process.
Contact the HCRA by calling 1-800-582-7994 or emailing info@hcraontario.ca to discuss any concerns with your invoice. HCRA staff will assist in resolving any disputes, including connecting licensees with Tarion to correct errors in the number of enrolments as reported by Tarion.
As Tarion is responsible for compiling and reporting enrolment data, licensees may also choose to discuss any concerns relating to the reported number of enrolments directly with Tarion. Tarion staff may be reached at 1-877-982-7466 or customerservice@tarion.com.
Please contact the HCRA directly by calling 1-800-582-7994 or emailing info@hcraontario.ca and a member of our team will be able to assist.
Payment will be due upon receipt of the invoice. The HCRA currently accepts online banking payments from the following financial institutions:
- Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
- Bank of Nova Scotia (operating as Scotiabank)
- Bank of Montreal
- Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
- TD Canada Trust
- Laurentian Bank
- HSBC
- National Bank of Canada
- Central 1 Credit Union
For online banking, add the HCRA Per Unit as a Payee and enter your licence number (B#####) when asked for the account number to which payment is being remitted.
Cheques are also acceptable methods of payment, to be sent to the HCRA by regular mail only. Payments by credit card are not accepted at this time.
Please note that there is no on-site concierge to accept any courier packages. Couriered correspondence will be returned to sender.
If sending a cheque payment via mail, please include with your remittance: licence number; invoice number; and legal company name registered with the HCRA to ensure your account is correctly credited.
Please contact us directly 1-800-582-7994 or info@hcraontario.ca and a member of our team will assist with the payment process.
Licence Application Process
Please refer to our detailed New Application Form Instructions. In addition, an abbreviated checklist version is also available.
You can pay by credit card, cheque, bank draft and money order. Please send payments to the HCRA by regular mail only. Please note that our office is closed due to COVID-19, and there is no on-site concierge to accept any courier packages. Couriered correspondence will be returned to sender. If sending a cheque payment via mail, please include your licence number, and legal company name registered with the HCRA with your cheque for us to match the payment to the correct account.
If sending a cheque payment via mail, please include your application number (APP-XXXXXXX) and legal company name entered in your application with your cheque for us to match the payment to your application.
No - before you can build or sell a new home you must apply to Tarion and receive their authorization. The authorization to offer to sell / agree to sell a home is called a “Qualification for Enrolment” (QFE) Confirmation. The authorization to commence construction of a home is called an "Enrolment Confirmation". Here is helpful information on how to begin the application process with Tarion:
- Registrar Bulletin 10 provides a detailed overview of the application process for Freehold, Contract and Condominium Homes – you can find it here
- Sign up for BuilderLink – Tarion’s online builder service and resource center where you can begin the application process
- Consult Tarion's page on the Qualification for Enrolment process here
Licence Renewal Process
To assist in meeting the renewal due date, the HCRA will send a first reminder 60 days before the licence is set to expire. You may begin your renewal application upon receipt of this notice. A second reminder will be issued 30 days prior to license expiry. All notices are sent via email.
Renewal applications must be completed and received by the HCRA 30 days prior to the licence expiry date (this is your renewal due date).
The renewal payment is the final step of the renewal application. You can pay by credit card, or through online banking. The HRCA currently accepts online banking payments from the following financial institutions: Royal Bank of Canada, Bank of Nova Scotia, Toronto Dominion Bank, Bank of Montreal, and Central 1 Credit Union.
Cheques, bank drafts and money orders are also acceptable methods of payment, to be sent to the HCRA by regular mail only. Please note that our office is closed due to COVID-19, and there is no on-site concierge to accept any courier packages. Couriered correspondence will be returned to sender. If sending a cheque payment via mail, please include your licence number, and legal company name registered with the HCRA with your cheque for us to match the payment to the correct account.
If sending a cheque payment via mail, please include your licence number, application number (APP-XXXXXXX), and legal company name registered with the HCRA with your cheque for us to match the payment to the correct account.
To begin a renewal application, applicants must use the HCRA’s Builder Portal. The Builder Portal is an online service for builders and vendors to manage and submit forms electronically and pay fees.
Please refer to our detailed Renewal Form Instructions. In addition, an abbreviated checklist version is also available.
Licences do not expire during the processing period, as long as the HCRA has received the renewal application and fee prior to the expiry date of the current licence. The Ontario Builder Directory (OBD) will continue to show your licence status as licensed. The Licensing Analyst assigned to your renewal application will notify you by e-mail should they require additional information to complete the processing of your renewal application, and/or once the renewal application has been processed. Licensees may contact Tarion for assistance with the Qualification for Enrolment (QFE) process concurrent with their licence renewal.
The HCRA will send an email reminder approximately 60 days before your licence is set to expire. The renewal application link will appear at that time.
If you have already received your notice and are still not able to access the form, contact us at info@hcraontario.ca.
Yes, the HCRA Builder Portal is the new online application for builders and vendors to:
- Renew your licence
- Apply for a licence as a first-time applicant
- Submit fees
- Update your profile
- Upload documents and information
- Submit inquiries to the HCRA
You must use the same email address because your Tarion account history has been migrated to the Builder Portal using your email address. (Your registration email does not need to be the same email that will be displayed on your Vendor/Builder Profile on the Ontario Builder Directory.)
You must register with an individual email address (e.g., name@builder.com).
If your previous Tarion BuilderLink account was registered with a general company email that can be accessed by multiple people (e.g, inbox@builder.com) or if you cannot recall the email associated with your BuilderLink account, please contact us at info@hcraontario.ca.
This may have occurred if your registered email does not match with your previous Tarion BuilderLink account. Contact us at info@hcraontario.ca.
Timing
The HCRA strives to process applications in a timely fashion while remaining objective, fair and consistent. Please note that the timeframe to review an application may vary depending on its complexity. Additional processing time may be required if we need to request additional information.
Licences do not expire during the processing period, as long as the HCRA has received the renewal application and fee prior to the expiry date of the current licence. The Ontario Builder Directory (OBD) will continue to show your licence status as licensed. The Licensing Analyst assigned to your renewal application will notify you by e-mail should they require additional information to complete the processing of your renewal application, and/or once the renewal application has been processed. Licensees may contact Tarion for assistance with the Qualification for Enrolment (QFE) process concurrent with their licence renewal.
Competency Requirements
All licensees must have competency holders within their company that fulfill the required competencies. Inform the HCRA of the people responsible within the company for each of the seven competencies (five for vendor-only licences). Competencies may be held by a single person or several people within the company, but those people must be in the role(s) of: principal, officer, director, or senior employee (with a role or job function directly responsible for the subject matter of the competency).
Course completion or evaluation of individuals is not required for the renewal of active licences, provided new people are not introduced into the company for the purpose of holding a competency. Should a new person be identified, the HCRA may ask them to provide documentation of education in that competency.
Detailed descriptions of courses and their requirements are outlined under Competency Requirements. Courses and course providers have been approved by the HCRA to deliver programs specifically aimed at improving knowledge in the area of the core competency.
The HCRA does not otherwise govern the course providers. Course fees, timing and teaching methods are all at the discretion of the course provider. Some providers offer self-study programs, while others offer instructor-led programs. Applicants should choose a course provider based on the learning style best suited to them. Due to COVID restrictions, all courses are web-based at this time.
Yes, the HCRA has approved the same courses and course providers as previously recognized by Tarion.
Those who have less than five years or no experience or prior learning applicable to the residential construction industry in Ontario should take the courses to demonstrate they have achieved the knowledge necessary to be considered competent for the purposes of licensing with the HCRA. The courses can also be viewed as continuing education for licensed builders, and participation is not limited to new builder/vendor applicants.
The HCRA has developed a Competency Course Exemption Process (CCEP) for individuals who can demonstrate competency in any of the seven core areas. The CCEP takes about 10 days to complete. If someone has taken post-secondary education programs in any of the subject matter areas of the required competencies and have a degree, diploma, or certification, they can apply for CCEP recognition of their prior education.
Another way to demonstrate competency when applying for CCEP recognition is through five or more years’ experience in a role within the residential construction industry where the applicant’s job function is directly related to the subject matter of the competency.