How to apply
Fees
More information
On
Off
Print (PDF)

New 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.

On December 3, 2019, a new nationally recognized pressure welder certificate of qualification program will come into effect. This program will introduce three certificate of qualification classes, as well as a new class of contractor licence specifically for pressure welding.

These are the three new classes of qualification in BC:

Class Scope of work Expiry/Renewal

A

Perform pressure welding on any pressure equipment in 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

The following process will be applicable on December 3, 2019.

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 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 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 pressure welder certificate required by your jurisdiction  for SMAW F3/F4 or GTAW/SMAW F6/F4

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 level A or B certificate of qualification with or without a Red Seal Endorsement issued by 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 in a Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship harmonized welder training program AND have completed the level 2 welder apprenticeship training course
  • be registered as a welding apprentice with the Industry Training Authority (ITA) AND have completed level 2 welder apprenticeship training course or the Welder Foundation Training Course
  • have a welder C certificate of qualification issued by ITA

AND

    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.

    Step 3: Submit your application

    This application form will be available December 3, 2019. You will need to complete and submit your application form along with documents that prove you meet the minimum eligibility requirements.

    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 they tested on (during their certificate of qualification exam) to work. They must complete additional performance qualification test(s) in accordance with any registered welding procedure specification in order to perform pressure 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. 

          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

          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
          (fee includes Technical Safety BC application evaluation and practical exam, not the recognized test administrator cost)

          $389

          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 IT pressure welder from outside of BC
          (fee includes Technical Safety BC application evaluation, not the recognized test administrator cost)

          $250
          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.

           

          Was this page useful to you?

          Related content