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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.

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

 

Already working as a pressure welder or hold a BCP-100 certificate?

If you are currently working as a pressure welder in BC or hold a current BCP-100 certificate, you must transition to a class A certification before December 3, 2020. If you apply before December 3, 2020, you will not be required to pay any fee if you fulfill the eligibility requirements, listed in step 1 below.

How to apply

Step 1: Find out if you’re eligible

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

Pressure welders currently working in BC can transition to a class A certificate of qualification without fees, provided they meet the below requirements and apply to transition before December 3, 2020.

If you do not apply to transition to a class A certificate of qualification by December 3, 2020, you will need to apply for a new certificate of qualification and pay the appropriate fees.

To be eligible to transition to a class A pressure welder certificate of qualification, you must:

  • have successfully completed one of the following welding performance qualification tests:
    • SMAW process using E6010 and E7018 electrodes
    • GTAW & SMAW processes using ER70S and E7018 filler metals
       
  • provide a copy of the appropriate pages in your logbook or other evidence demonstrating that you have welded to this procedure at least once every six months since the welding performance qualification test (View Example). Please note: if you cannot prove continuity, you will need to either contact your previous or current employer(s) to enter all related continuity dates or you can retake the welding performance qualification tests.

AND provide one of the following:

  • a welder certificate of qualification with Red Seal Endorsement issued by Industry Training Authority (ITA)
     
  • a welder level B or A certificate of qualification with or without Red Seal Endorsement issued by ITA
     
  • 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

If you have welded to the procedures required but do not have the welding qualifications required for transition, contact Industry Training Authority BC to challenge the Red Seal exam. If you have a new logbook from the ITA, we can register all welding performance qualification (WPQ) tests taken before December 3, 2019, for a fee. To register any WPQ tests taken before December 3, please fill out this WPQ registration form. Any tests taken on or after December 3, 2019, must be registered by the Recognized Test Administrator you took the test with. To enter all related continuity dates, contact your previous or current employer(s).

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).

    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).

    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

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

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

    • be registered as a welding apprentice with the Industry Training Authority (ITA) AND have completed level 2 welder apprenticeship training course
       
    • have completed the Welder Foundation Training Course
       
    • have a welder C certificate of qualification issued by ITA

    AND

    Out-of-province apprentices must register with the ITA prior to applying for the class IT pressure welder qualification.

      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.

      For transition class A applicants

      Please do not send your original logbook to our offices. Logbooks will be returned to you and your application will be marked incomplete. To avoid delays in processing, please attach colour photocopies of all required documentation in your online application.

      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.

          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).

            If you are working as a pressure welder and transitioned to class A 

            You may use your existing valid welding performance qualifications tests to continue work.

            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.

            Already working as a pressure welder?

            If you are currently working as a pressure welder in BC, you can apply to transition to class A certificate of qualification in the new program on December 3, 2019. If you are eligible and apply before December 3, 2020, you will not be required to pay the application evaluation fee or the practical exam fee.

            Pressure welder certification Fee
            Effective January 3, 2020

            Class A transition - currently working as a pressure welder in BC
            (inc. all current BCP-100 certificate holders)

            $0

            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


            Note: The fees listed above include the annual 2% fee increase.

            View the Boilers, Pressure Vessels, and Refrigeration fee schedule.

             

            More information

             


            Questions? Please contact us.

             

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