First Class

To apply for your First Class Power Engineer certificate, you must have one of the following:

• Second Class Power Engineer certificate
• Corresponding Canadian credential

To apply for your certification exams, you must meet the general eligibility requirements for this class.

For more information on our exams visit the Exam Information page.

To apply, log in to your Online Services account and select "Apply for a new certificate" under the certification tab. Don't have an account? Sign up now.

If you wish to apply by mail, please fill out the Contact Us form to request a paper form.

How to Apply For Examination

Once you have submitted your application and paid the applicable fee, we will evaluate your qualifications. If you’re successful, we will contact you and you will be able to apply for this certification's exams.

Once you have been approved to apply for the exam, log in to your Online Services account to find your available exam and choose your preferred exam dates, times, and locations. You will not be able to book your exam until we notify you that you are eligible.

You must pass the following eight exams. Each exam is 3.5 hours long, and you must achieve a minimum grade of 65% on each exam to pass. Exam details, including areas of study, can be viewed in the first class power engineer syllabus.

• 1A1 - Applied Thermodynamics and Plant Cycles
• 1A2 - Principles of Applied & Fluid Mechanics
• 1A3 - Applied Engineering Technologies
• 1A4 - Power Plant Operations
• 1B1 - Legislation and Codes for Industrial Equipment
• 1B2 - Safety, Loss, and Environmental Program Management
• 1B3 - Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair Practices
• 1B4 - Business & Workforce Management

You will have three chances to pass; after each attempt, applicants will receive a Notification Letter from Technical Safety BC that details the marks achieved and highlights areas that need improvement. An exam re-write fee applies to each additional attempt.

If you fail an exam, you will will need to wait 30 days after the previous examination to rebook. If you fail your third or any subsequent attempt, you must request permission to take a fourth or further attempts, with additional time required between each attempt.

To apply for your evaluation, you must pass all of your certification exams, be employed while in possession of a Second Class Power Engineer certificate, or a corresponding Canadian credential, and complete one of the following:

• 30 months as chief engineer of a second class plant
• 30 months as an assistant chief engineer of a first class plant
• 36 months as a safety officer for the purposes of this regulation
• 30 months as shift engineer of a first class plant
• 45 months as an assistant shift engineer of a first class plant

Qualifying time credits

• If you have successfully completed an approved first class power engineering course, then the required period of employment can be reduced by 12 months. Refer here for a list of approved courses and course providers.
• If you hold a mechanical engineering degree (Canadian or equivalent), then the required period of employment can be reduced to 12 months.

To apply, please complete the plant operating experience form 1026. Once you've filled it in, log in to your Online Services account, start your certificate application and follow the steps to upload the completed form and submit your application. Your proof of experience form will be reviewed by a Provincial Safety Manager. Don't have an account? Sign up now.

If you wish to submit your form by mail, please address it to:
Suite 600 - 2889 East 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5M 4T5.