Our Story
From spearheading building industry courses to leading municipal talent recruitment and advocating on behalf of Building Officials, we’re proud to be pioneers.Our Story
From spearheading building industry courses to leading municipal talent recruitment and advocating on behalf of Building Officials, we’re proud to be pioneers.2017 and beyond:
Building our Sustainable Future
2018
Municipal partnerships and community awareness

2017

Training partnerships & legislative recognition
After achieving success in the training marketplace, the OBOA partners with George Brown College to create an integrated training platform. The OBOA starts making the case to the provincial government to have the CBCO designation recognized through legislation as the standard of practice for Building Officials.
1978-2016:
Professionalizing Ontario Building Officials
2015
Technical building code website launch
The OBOA signs an agreement with the LMCBO (Large Municipalities Chief Building Officials group) and TACBOC (Toronto Area Chief Building Official Council) to develop BuildRight Ontario.com, a building-code focused technical reference and resource website for the Ontario building industry.

Canada-wide professional training
The OBOA enters a contract to develop Canada-wide training through the Alliance of Canadian Building Officials’ Association (ACBOA), setting the foundation for future national training program opportunities

2013
Privatizing professional training programs
The Government of Ontario brings building code training responsibilities in-house, awarding the building code training mandate to George Brown College. In response to market demand, the OBOA develops private training programs designed by Building Officials for Building Officials.

2012
A strategic plan for modernization
The OBOA creates a new strategic plan to articulate our vision for ongoing growth, sustainability and modernization of the OBOA.

2006
An internship program for future Building Officials
In partnership with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, an internship program is established for OBOA members who are pursuing Building Official designation and do not yet meet all the provincial qualification requirements. Building Department internships assist municipalities by allowing employees to continue to perform certain tasks while pursuing required knowledge and certification.

1997
A certification maintenance program
A certification maintenance program is introduced to further enhance the status of the CBCO designation by ensuring that OBOA members remain current in their knowledge of the Ontario Building Code.

1994
A certified educator
The provincial and federal governments recognize the OBOA as a certified educational institution.

1992
Acquisition of the “Right to Title”
The OBOA acquires the “Right to Title” through Private Members Bill Pr40. The “Certified Building Code Official (CBCO)” designation is established and is recognized by the building industry as the required standard of professionalism and expertise in building code administration. The parallel designation “Building Code Qualified” (BCQ) is developed for non-Government members or Government members without CBCO level experience. CBCO becomes known as “The Step Above”.

1982
Certification for competency
The OBOA develops our first certification program for qualifying members to standardize competency in the administration of building regulation throughout Ontario.

1978
Creation of a local chapter network
The OBOA chapter network, consisting of chapters over six regions across the country is established. As a vital part of the OBOA, chapters aid in furthering our goals while servicing members at a local level.

1956-1978:
Setting the Foundation
1975
The First Ontario Building Code
The Government of Ontario introduces the first Ontario Building Code (OBC) to promote public safety through the application of uniform building standards. The OBC establishes technical requirements for all building construction and demolition in the province. Ontario jurisdictions are required to employ Building Officials to administer the OBC.

1974
The launch of educational courses
The OBOA begins crafting and delivering a broad selection of educational courses to Building Officials, builders and design professionals. Courses are designed to enhance construction skills and knowledge.

1956
The birth of the OBOA
