Episode 106: Consumer Education and Unlicensed Practice Enforcement – A Combined Approach to Prevent

Unlicensed practice poses significant risks to consumers and presents regulators with the challenge of identifying activity that often occurs outside the regulated system. This conversation with Wendy Moir, CEO of Ontario's Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA), explores how regulators can use complaints, data, partnerships, and risk-based approaches to identify and respond to unlicensed activity, while also recognizing the important role of consumer education in preventing harm. The discussion highlights how enforcement and education can work together: enforcement can identify emerging issues and inform public education, while increased consumer awareness can generate valuable intelligence and help identify problems earlier. The conversation also considers the challenges of measuring deterrence, adapting to changing digital information environments, and making license verification easy for the public. Ultimately, the episode offers practical lessons for regulators seeking to strengthen consumer protection by connecting enforcement, education, and proactive oversight.

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Then, engage in further discussion on CLEAR's Regulatory Network (members-only, join here).

• How are unlicensed practitioners identified, investigated, and handled in your organization?
• Does your organization take an active role in educating consumers about the dangers of unlicensed practice?