Fourth Class

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

• Proof of completing an approved Fourth Class Power Engineering course
• Proof of completing a one-year, full-time Fourth Class Power Engineering course (no qualifying time required)
• A Mechanical Engineering degree accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board
• Third Class Marine Engineer (motor) certificate of competency (issued by Transport Canada)

Visit our list of approved courses and training providers.

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 two exams:

• 4A1 - Part A
• 4B1 - Part B

Effective March 1, 2023, all 3rd, 4th, and 5th class certificate of qualification examinations will consist of 100 multiple choice questions. Each exam is three 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 Fourth Class Power Engineer syllabus

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 evaluation, you must pass all of your certification exams and complete one of the following:

• Six months as a Power Engineer in a Fifth Class plant in a position requiring a Fifth Class Power Engineer's certificate
• Six months as a Power Engineer trainee in at least one of the following:
  • A power plant that exceeds 10 sq. m of boiler capacity
  • A steam heating plant that exceeds 30 sq. m of boiler capacity
  • A fluid heating plant or low-pressure thermal fluid plant that exceeds 150 sq. m of boiler capacity

  • A low-temperature, low-pressure fluid plant that exceeds 300 sq. m of boiler capacity

• Eighteen months of experience, acceptable to a provincial safety manager, in the operation, design, construction, repair, or maintenance of equipment that falls under Power Engineer, Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Refrigeration Safety Regulation
• Third Class (or a higher class) Marine Engineer (motor) Certificate of Competency (issued by Transport Canada)
• 200 hours of boiler plant power lab training at an educational or vocational facility approved by a provincial safety manager.

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.