Electrical and Gas SkilledTradesBC Updates

The new SkilledTradesBC certification may affect some gas and electrical clients

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

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 an Act, 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 Class A gasfitters with a valid certification. Learn more about the Gasfitter Class A program.

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

Individuals who would like to obtain a Class B Gasfitter Certificate of Qualification from Technical Safety BC but do not hold a Gasfitter – Class B certificate of qualification with a red seal endorsement, or an equivalent out of province certification, should contact SkilledTradesBC to determine the appropriate pathway to obtain the certification.

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

Any questions related to the SkilledTradesBC 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.

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 regulatory and code knowledge to work on regulated equipment, SkilledTradesBC ensures trades workers working in Skilled Trades Certification trades receive consistent and equitable training throughout BC and within Interprovincial Red Seal Programs.

The Class A Gasfitter program became a Red Seal trade in BC in 2023, and effective January 1, 2025, Class B Gasfitter also became a Red Seal trade certified by SkilledTradesBC.

New applicants looking to perform work as a Class A or B Gasfitter will require a Certificate of Qualification with a Red Seal endorsement issued by Skilled Trades BC and a Certificate of Qualification from Technical Safety BC obtained through the completion of an Act, Regulations, and Directives exam with Technical Safety BC. Visit Skilled Trades BC’s website for the most up-to-date information on their pathways to obtain certification.

Class A and B Gasfitters who hold a valid Technical Safety BC Certificate of Qualification will not require additional certification; however valid certification may be required in the future from both Technical Safety BC and Skilled Trades BC 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 Skilled Trades BC.

Gas limited scope (non-fitter) certification requirements under the Gas Safety Regulation have not changed, but there may be additional requirements with Skilled Trades BC and the Gas Safety Regulation 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.