RHFAC Professional Training

About the RHFAC Professional Training

Whether you are planning, designing, constructing or operating a site, Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ (RHFAC) Professional Training will provide you with the knowledge and practical skills needed to apply a meaningful access lens to your projects, and rate a building for its overall accessibility under the RHFAC program. 

Enhance your skills and demonstrate your commitment to access and inclusion by taking this 8-week course. The course will take approximately 60 hours to complete, and you must complete and successfully pass this course and exam to qualify for your RHFAC Professional designation. Prerequisites apply. 
 

RHFAC Professional Training learners will:

• understand the scope and prevalence of disability;
• describe how people with varying types of disabilities experience the social and physical environment;
• learn to apply Universal Design principles and a meaningful access lens to existing sites and pre-construction projects;
• discuss the legal landscape and frameworks affecting people with disabilities; learn about the RHFAC program, its benefits, methodology and the rating and certification process;
• rate existing sites and pre-construction projects for meaningful access using the RHFAC Rating Survey;
• communicate areas of success and improvements for an RHFAC rating; and
• understand construction projects and how RHFAC Professionals can be involved.

Who Should Take this Training?

RHFAC Professional Training supports Architects, Urban Planners, Engineers, Facility Managers and Operators, Accessibility Consultants and more.

Course Welcome from Rick Hansen

Ready to register? 

The RHFAC Professional Training course provides training on the RHFAC rating and certification process for learners to become designated RHFAC Professionals.

During this course, learners will be required to:

• Review and analyze detailed documents and construction drawings.
• Conduct site visits and collect data using equipment and tools such as measuring tape, slope reader, light meter, etc.
• Capture site features of the site using photography or other digital equipment.

Learners registering for the RHFAC Professional Training course should best determine how they would complete these tasks.

Upcoming Courses 

Registration will open by September 1, 2025
Two-hour virtual online sessions will run weekly for the duration of the course and times will be available at registration.

Fall 2025: English

September 15 - November 15, 2025
Instructor: Matthew Cole

October 6 – November 28, 2025
Instructor: Pat Short

October 9 – November 27, 2025
Instructor: Kristen Habermehl

October 13 – December 5, 2025 
Instructor: Gail Martiri

FALL 2025: French *New

October 8 – December 3, 2025
Instructor: Christelle Montreuil

Winter 2026: English

January 12 – March 6, 2026
Instructor: Jenny Blome

January 19 – March 13, 2026
Instructor: Gail Martiri

Spring 2026: English

April 13 – June 5, 2026
Instructor: Julia Pannolino

April 14 – June 6, 2026
Instructor: Pat Short

RHF’s Post Secondary and Association Partners:

Carleton University	Independent Contractors and Business Association (ICBA)	Nova Scotia Community College	Royal Architectural Institute of Canada	Laurentian University
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology	University of Regina	Vancouver Community College	Vancouver Regional Contractors Association

RHFAC Professional Training Course Prerequisites 

• a certificate or at least one year of completed post-secondary studies in architecture, building construction, civil engineering, urban planning, interior design or a related program; or
• a Journeyman Certificate of Qualification in a designated trade related to building construction; or
• an engineer (or eligible for registration as an engineer); or
• an architect (or eligible for registration as an architect); or
• an architectural or engineering technologist or technician; or
• a minimum of five years of construction experience; or
• an equivalent combination of lived experience and work experience in the built environment.

Education and credentials awarded outside of Canada will be considered.

Are you not sure if you meet the prerequisites or not? Our partners determine if a potential learner meets the prerequisites. Please reach out to the partner listed above directly to inquire.

Next Steps: Becoming an RHFAC Professional

After you pass the RHFAC Training Course, you will need to complete the following steps to earn your RHFAC Professional Designation, if you wish to pursue it. 

• Pass the RHFAC Professional Exam, administered by the CSA Group within 6 months after passing the RHFAC Professional Course.
• Ensure you have an active Professional Membership with the Accessibility Professional Network (APN).
• *New Process to apply for Designation: Login to the APN, and visit “My Profile” section. There’s a heading titled “RHF Designation”.  Upload your proof of exam pass letter, and change Designation Status to: “Completed requirements for RHFAC Professional Designation”. RHF will get back to you by email within 10 business days.
• Maintain your designation by following the Code of Ethics, maintaining your Accessibility Professional Network membership, meeting continuing education requirements, and completing any mandatory training.

Interested in Group Bookings? To learn more about Group Bookings for your organization, please email training@rickhansen.com.

Meet RHFAC Professionals

Discover the ways these RHFAC Professionals are using their designations in their work as architects, building industry professionals, accessibility consultants and more. 

Have a question about the RHFAC Training Course or becoming an RHFAC Professional?

Please email training@rickhansen.com.