

Pressure Welder
Pressure Welder Certificate of Qualification
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 of up to six months. | Non-renewable; expires after six months; application fee required. |
IT | Perform pressure welding as an apprentice under the 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) |
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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:
AND
Prior to testing in BC, please obtain your logbook from Industry Training Authority (ITA). |
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Class A new pressure welder in BC - Welder graduate |
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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:
Prior to testing in BC, please obtain your logbook from Industry Training Authority (ITA). |
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Class R pressure welder from outside of BC or Canada |
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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:
AND
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Class IT pressure welder |
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Eligibility An applicant for a Class "IT" Pressure Welder Certificate of Qualification must:
An applicant for a Class “IT” Pressure Welder Certificate of Qualification must complete and pass the performance qualification test outlined in the syllabus. |
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:
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Class A pressure welder in BC - ITA welder graduate application form
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Class R pressure welder from outside of BC or Canada application form
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 |
Note: The fees listed above include the annual 2% fee increase.
View the Boilers, Pressure Vessels, and Refrigeration fee schedule.
More information
- Consultation for the new pressure welder program
- Changes to the Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel & Refrigeration Safety Regulation involving pressure welders
- Sign up for pressure welder notifications