Electrical and Gas skilled trades updates

The new skilled trades certfication may affect some gas and electrical clients

On December 1, 2022, the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, along with SkilledTradesBC (formerly ITA) introduced new regulations. These requirements exist under the Skilled Trades BC Act, which is separate from the Safety Standards Act that guides our work.

SkilledTradesBC recently announced new information and timeline updates for Class A and Class B Gasfitter certification programs. The Gasfitter - Class A program became a Red Seal trade in BC in 2023. New applicants looking to perform work as a Class A Gasfitter are required to obtain a Certificate of Qualification with Red Seal endorsement issued by SkilledTradesBC and a Certificate of Qualification from Technical Safety BC obtained through the completion of the Acts, Regulations, and Directives exam with Technical Safey BC. The introduction of the Red Seal endorsement is not a retroactive requirement for active Technical Safety BC applications and existing Class A gasfitters with a valid Technical Safety BC certification. Learn more about the Gasfitter Class A program.

Effective January 1, 2025, the Gasfitter - Class B program will become a Red Seal trade in BC certified by SkilledTradesBC. New applicants looking to perform work as a Class B Gasfitter will require a Certificate of Qualification with Red Seal endorsement issued in Gasfitter – Class B by SkilledTradesBC and a Certificate of Qualification from Technical Safety BC obtained through the completion of an Acts, Regulations, and Directives (ARD) exam with Technical Safey BC. The introduction of the Red Seal is not a retroactive requirement for active Technical Safety BC applications and existing Class B gasfitters with a valid Technical Safety BC certification.

Individuals may still apply for their Technical Safety BC certification by submitting either their BC Gasfitter – Class B Certificate of Apprenticeship or BC Certificate of Qualification issued by SkilledTradesBC until early 2026. Learn more about the Gasfitter Class B program.

As an interim measure, SkilledTradesBC recognizes holders of Gasfitter A and Gasfitter B Certificates of Qualification as compliant with the Skilled Trades BC Act.

Any questions related to the Skilled Trades BC Act and what it will mean for your certification and scope of work should be referred to SkilledTradesBC.

Individuals that we certify across Elevating Devices, Rail, Amusement Rides, Boilers, Pressure Vessels, Refrigeration and Passenger ropeways will see no changes in scope of work or renewal as a result of the new Skilled Trades BC Act and regulation.

Electrical Certification 

Requirements for FSR certifications under the Electrical Safety Regulation remain the same, though individuals may have to meet additional requirements with SkilledTradesBC.

Effective December 1, any person who is in a compulsory trade (including industrial and construction electricians) must comply with the Skilled Trades Certification requirements. We recommend that anyone practicing electrical work consult with SkilledTradesBC to confirm they meet the new requirements under their Act and regulations.

Gas Certification 

While we issue certification confirming a worker has the knowledge to work safely onsite on regulated equipment, SkilledTradesBC ensures trades workers working in Skilled Trades Certification trades receive consistent and equitable training through BC or Interprovincial Red Seal Program.  

SkilledTradesBC recently announced new information and timeline updates for Class A and Class B Gas Fitter certification programs. The Gas Fitter Class A program became a Red Seal trade in BC in 2023. Effective January 1, 2025, the Gasfitter Class B program will become a Red Seal trade in BC certified by SkilledTradesBC.

New applicants looking to perform work as a Class A Gas Fitter will require a Certificate of Qualification and Red Seal endorsement issued by SkilledTradesBC and a Certificate of Qualification from Technical Safety BC obtained through the completion of the Acts, Regulations, and Directives exam with Technical Safey BC. Visit SkilledTradesBC for the most up-to-date information on their pathways to certification.

Class A Gas Fitters who hold a valid Technical Safety BC Certificate of Qualification will not require additional certification from Technical Safety BC, however valid certification may be required in the future from both Technical Safety BC and SkilledTradesBC to legally work in BC. Any questions related to the Skilled Trades BC Act and what it will mean for your certification and scope of work should be referred to SkilledTradesBC. 

The Gas Fitter Class B program will become a Red Seal trade in BC on January 1, 2025. New applicants looking to perform work as a Class B Gas Fitter will require a Certificate of Qualification and Red Seal endorsement issued by SkilledTradesBC and a Certificate of Qualification from Technical Safety BC obtained through the completion of the Acts, Regulations, and Directives (ARD) exam with Technical Safey BC. 

Class B Gas Fitters who hold a valid Technical Safety BC Certificate of Qualification will not require additional certification from Technical Safety BC, however valid certification may be required in the future from both Technical Safety BC and SkilledTradesBC to legally work in BC. Any questions related to the Skilled Trades BC Act and what it will mean for your certification and scope of work should be referred to SkilledTradesBC. 

Gas limited scope (non-fitter) certification requirements under the Gas Safety Regulation have not changed, but there may be additional requirements with SkilledTradesBC in the future. 

In order to align the Skilled Trades BC Act and the Safety Standards Act, a number of amendments have been made to electrical, gas and BPVR regulations. Ministerial Order 363 explains these amendments in full.

Most notably, the Electrical Safety Regulation has been amended to repeal Section 12. This section refers to supervision ratios under installation permits, and means that we will no longer enforce these ratios for electrical work.

We are working closely with SkilledTradesBC to clarify any unknowns and will provide an update as soon as more information becomes available.

We are committed to providing the simplest pathway to certification and renewal to avoid gaps and maintain a strong safety system across all technologies. If you have questions related to your Technical Safety BC certification, you can use the pop-up questionnaire on this page to let us know any specific inquiries, and subscribe to our communications to ensure you’re the first to know when we are able to provide updates.