Pressure welder certificate of qualification program

Pressure welding is a high safety risk due to the specialized type of welding performed on pressurized equipment, and requires a greater level of regulation and training. This new nationally recognized pressure welder certificate of qualification program assesses a welder’s skills and abilities, ensuring all pressure welders in BC have the minimum capabilities that are required by the relevant codes and standards.

Classes

To gain certification, welders must complete the appropriate application form and hold the minimum qualification required for that certification class. The pressure welding classes of qualification in BC are as follows:

Class	Scope of work	Expiry/renewal
A	Perform pressure welding on pressure equipment while employed by a licensed contractor in the province of BC.	Must be renewed every three years before your birth month; application and practical exam fees required
R	Perform a limited scope of pressure welding on specific equipment or site(s) for a time period up to six months.	Non-renewable; expires after six months; application fee required
IT	Perform pressure welding as an apprentice under supervision of a class A pressure welder.	Non-renewable; expires after three years; application fee required

How to apply

Step 1: Find out if you’re eligible

You must meet the certification class eligibility requirements that you are applying for.

Class A pressure welder from outside of BC (reciprocal certificate)

If you hold a pressure welder certificate from another province or territory in Canada, you may be eligible to apply for a reciprocal class A pressure welder certificate of qualification in BC.

To be eligible for a class A pressure welder certificate of qualification, you must have one of the following:

a welder trade qualification with or without a Red Seal endorsement issued by an apprenticeship authority in another jurisdiction of Canada
a Canadian credential authorizing the holder to perform pressure welding in another Canadian jurisdiction. This should be equivalent to the regulated work of a pressure welder’s certificate of qualification authorized to perform under the Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Refrigeration Safety Regulation

AND

provide a copy of the appropriate current pressure welder certificate required by your jurisdiction for SMAW F3/F4 or GTAW/SMAW F6/F4

Prior to testing in BC, please obtain your logbook from Industry Training Authority (ITA).

Class A new pressure welder in BC – Welder graduate

New pressure welders, such as those graduating from the Industry Training Authority (ITA) welder program, will need to apply for a class A certificate of qualification in order to work as a pressure welder in BC.

To be eligible for a class A pressure welder certificate of qualification, you must have one of the following:

a welder certificate of qualification with Red Seal Endorsement issued by ITA
a welder trade qualification with or without a Red Seal Endorsement issued by an apprenticeship authority in another juridiction of Canada
a welder level A or B certificate of qualification with or without a Red Seal Endorsement issued by ITA

Prior to testing in BC, please obtain your logbook from Industry Training Authority (ITA).

Class R pressure welder from outside of BC or Canada

If you hold a pressure welder certificate from outside of BC or Canada, you may be eligible for a class R pressure welder certificate of qualification in BC.

To be eligible for a class R pressure welder certificate of qualification, you must:

provide evidence of your qualification and experience as a pressure welder from your Canadian jurisdiction or the country of qualification
be employed by a licensed boiler contractor, and your employer holds a:
- current ASME Certificate of Authorization, or
- current National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors “R” Certificate of Authorization

AND

have passed the class R practical exam (QW-484) with one of these recognized test administrators

Class IT pressure welder

Eligibility

An applicant for a Class "IT" Pressure Welder Certificate of Qualification must:

be a registered welding apprentice in any Canadian jurisdiction which has implemented the Canadian Council of the Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) harmonized welder training program, and have completed the Level 2 training course of the welder apprenticeship training program or,
be a registered welding apprentice with the Industry Training Authority (ITA) and have completed the Foundation training course, or completed the Level 2 training course of the welder apprenticeship training program or,
hold a Welder C Certificate of Qualification issued by ITA An applicant for a Class “IT” Pressure Welder Certificate of Qualification must complete and pass the performance qualification test outlined in this syllabus.

An applicant for a Class “IT” Pressure Welder Certificate of Qualification must complete and pass the performance qualification test outlined in the syllabus.

Step 2: Get your documents ready

You need to provide proof (colour photocopies) that you meet all the eligibility requirements, listed in step 1, for the certificate class you are applying for. When you submit your documents please block out any personally identifiable information such as SIN, birth date, and picture. Your full name, if applicable, should be visible on any uploaded documents.

Step 3: Submit your application online

You will need to complete and submit your application form for your respective class along with documents that prove you meet the minimum requirements. Submit your application online below:

Processing time: 4 weeks

This is the average processing time from when you submit your application to when your certification is confirmed.

Step 4: Pay fee applicable to class certificate

During the processing of your application, you will receive an invoice from Technical Safety BC to pay the relevant certification fee.

If you are:

a pressure welder from outside of BC and applying for a reciprocal class A certificate of qualification, go to step 6.
applying for class R or IT certificate of qualification, go to step 6.

Step 5: Complete your class A practical exam

Once your class A application is accepted, you will need to complete a practical exam, conducted and administered by a Technical Safety BC boiler safety officer, at a recognized test administrator’s facility.

Step 6: Receive certificate (wallet card)

Once payment has been confirmed and your application has been processed, Technical Safety BC will issue your certificate of qualification (wallet card).

After you receive your certificate of qualification, and before you begin performing pressure welding work, you must complete a welder performance qualification test for the type of welding work required.

Class A and IT certificate holders cannot use the procedure you tested on (during their certificate of qualification exam) to work. To perform pressure welding, you must complete appropriate performance qualification test(s) in accordance with registered welding procedure specifications that are to be used for the welding. To work in BC you will also need to acquire a Welders Log Book from the Industry Training Authority (ITA). The continuity section of your Welders Log Book must be current, in accordance with the requirements of ASME Section IX for the applicable welding process. Pressure welders who fail to obtain their Welders Log Book from ITA and keep it current, may not be able to qualify for certification and ongoing renewal of their certificate of qualification.

Class R certificate holders may use the welder performance qualification test (during their certificate of qualification exam) they tested on to work.

More information on performance qualification tests.

Fees

Fees associated with the pressure welder program are listed in the table below.

Pressure welder certification	Fee Effective January 3, 2020
Class A pressure welder from outside of BC (reciprocal certificate) (fee includes Technical Safety BC application evaluation)	$250
Class A pressure welder in BC – ITA welder graduate (first attempt) (fee includes Technical Safety BC application evaluation and practical exam, not the recognized test administrator cost)	$390
Class A pressure welder in BC – ITA welder graduate (subsequent attempts) (fee for the Technical Safety BC practical exam)	$286
Class R pressure welder from outside of BC or Canada (fee includes Technical Safety BC application evaluation, not the recognized test administrator cost)	$104
Class IT pressure welder in BC (fee includes Technical Safety BC application evaluation, not the recognized test administrator cost)	$104
Class A certificate of qualification renewal	$102