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About FNNBOA 

A New and Strong Voice for First Nations Building Officers

After years of discussion, First Nations building inspectors have a professional organization to call their own - the First Nations National Building Officer's Association (FNNBOA). The name “building officer” was selected because it incorporates the daily activities of a First Nations inspector, whose tasks are many and varied in the community extending beyond the on-site inspection of buildings. The FNNBOA  represents people in First Nation communities who provide residential, commercial and institutional construction and renovation technical services. This includes plans review, inspections, recommending repairs, technical advocacy and advisory services assisting on reserve construction.

The Association has wide ranging objectives in the First Nations building sector, but is primarily a professional association mandated to represent the best interests of members in the broad area of occupational development. Accordingly, FNNBOA has identified key objectives which include:

• Represent individuals working as technical service providers in First Nation communities
• Establish national occupational standards to ensure minimum core competencies
• Establish national certification and accreditation processes
• Ensure programs and policies for capacity development for this sector
• Advocate housing policies that will lead to better building and renovation practices and ultimately improve housing conditions in First Nation communities.

Read FNNBOA in Brief (PDF - version français), a one page document summarizing FNNBOA and it’s role in the community. Find out more about “Who is FNNBOA?” (PDF)

Scope of the First Nations Building Officers Occupation

The title First Nation Building Officer (which is a registered trademark of the association)  refers to a professional who uses their training and experience to assess plans and specifications related to the design and construction of all types of buildings and structures. The FNBO ensures that the objectives of structural safety, fire safety, health, accessibility and the protection of buildings are addressed prior to occupancy. In addition, the FNBO use their training, experience and professionalism to report in an objective manner on the operation, condition, necessary repairs, and safety of existing properties and dwellings through visual and non-intrusive means and through operating normal user controls. Thus, the FNBO takes on responsibilities associated with other occupations including municipal building officials, home/property inspectors, fire inspectors, trainers and in some cases property assessors.

FNNBOA has established a National Occupational Standard for the First Nations Building Officer (PDF - version français). The association has established standards of practice and code of ethics. See the Documents section for more.