The Lio & Associates team was selected to conduct a study examining a Qualification Maintenance System (QMS) for the Building Code qualification requirements in Ontario. Approximately 80% of practitioners were qualified based on the 1997 Code, and the number of changes between 1997 and the anticipated 2012 edition warranted consideration for developing a QMS.

Seven informal key informant interviews were conducted to capture key elements of concern and preferences of stakeholders that should be considered when devising options. An in-depth literature review was completed to evaluate existing qualification maintenance programs across the country and internationally.  Qualification maintenance programs of professional associations were also examined in this review.  The consultants derived a spectrum of qualification maintenance dimensions through a logic diagramming consultation session with the Ministry that helped identify the qualification maintenance framework and each associated factor.  The results of the research, informal interviews, and Ministry consultations were used to develop and evaluate the proposed options.   Further feedback was sought from the stakeholders and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) staff during the three stakeholder sessions and two Ministry team working sessions.

Six options were developed for the development and delivery of the QMS. Each option was evaluated for its efficiency, effectiveness, and economic feasibility on the Ministry, stakeholder organizations and the individual building practitioner.  Flexibility was cited by stakeholder organizations as also being important. Providing flexibility to practitioners aids in the delivery efficiency of the QMS for all the registered practitioners (estimated to be almost 10,000 people).  The final recommendations of this report suggested that the QMS be comprised of three co-existing paths to qualification maintenance.