Certification Renewal

Your electrical field safety representative (FSR) certificate of qualification must be renewed every three years with proof of continuing education. You can apply to renew your certificate up to 60 days before it expires.

Before applying, have the following information ready:

• Your FSR certificate number
• Your current mailing address
• Your email address

You should also make sure that you have completed your continuing education requirements from an approved training provider.

1. Login to your online account and click "certification" on the left side column.
2. Click on “Renew” to the right of the certification you’d like to renew.
3. Complete and submit the Renewal Application Form for processing.
4. Pay your invoice. You will be notified via email when you invoice is ready for payment.

The Electrical Safety Regulation (section 10.1) requires you to satisfy continuing education requirements before renewing your FSR certificate of qualification. There are different continuing education requirements depending on your certificate class.

Once you have completed a continuing education course, hold onto the course completion document. You’ll need to have this document when you fill out your renewal application.

Note:

2018 Canadian Electrical Code update training completed before the adoption of the 2021 Canadian Electrical Code, will be accepted for renewal until December 31, 2022.

FSRs who choose to retake a certification code course on the 2021 Canadian Electrical Code, which covers all sections of the code relevant to their FSR class, not only the updates to the code from the previous version, may also be allowed to renew their certificate of qualification on that basis.

To renew your class A, B, or C FSR certificate of qualification, you must complete one of the following:

• 8 hours of continuing education with Technical Safety BC or a recognized training provider.
• Self-study and pass a renewal exam to challenge the continuing education requirements.

If you choose to pursue continuing education, you must complete the required 8 hours before renewing. If you choose to take the renewal exam, know that it can only be taken once.

Note: Due to COVID-19, we are not currently offering the 2018 Electrical Code Change continuing education course in-person. If you have already completed this course in-person for your 2021 renewal, it will still count towards your credits.

FSRs who hold multiple certificate classes are required to complete one continuing education course that covers all classes and renew all certificates. View the Learning Centre course descriptions to learn which courses cover multiple certificate classes. 

FSRs holders with multiple certificate classes will still need to apply for renewal for each certificate class they hold. 

You must complete 4 hours of continuing education with a recognized training provider to renew your restricted FSR class certificate of qualification. 

The following continuing education training will be accepted:

Option 1:

• A course consisting of a minimum of 4 hours on the 2021 Canadian Electrical Code which must include the code update as outlined in section 3.3 of this syllabus. The code update course will require evaluation and recognition by Technical Safety BC;

Option 2:

• A course consisting of a minimum of 1 hour on the 2021 Canadian Electrical Code update as outlined in section 3.3 of this syllabus. The code update course will require evaluation and recognition by Technical Safety BC; and 
• One or more additional courses that add to the 1-hour code update course listed above to make up the total 4-hour requirement for continuing education. Such courses shall be directly related to regulated activities certificate holders are required to perform within the scope of their certificate class. These courses will not require evaluation and recognition by Technical Safety BC. Acceptable training topics shall fall under one or a combination of the following categories: 
• Trade specific safety training. Examples of such training may include Arc Flash & Shock, HAZLOC, Fall Protection, etc.
• Technical training. Examples of such training may include product specific training, employer provided procedural training on how to install or service various products, etc. Manufacturer product specific training, other than that intended for promotional, or sales use is also acceptable.

If you do not renew your certificate but continue to perform regulated work, you put yourself and others at risk. These are the consequences for working with an expired certificate:

• A safety officer may issue a compliance order, or recommend a monetary penalty
• A safety officer may be authorized to stop your work in the field
• Any contractor licence you’re named on becomes invalid, along with any associated installation or operating permits
• You can’t be named on any new or renewed operating permits, installation permits, temporary construction permits, and contractor licences
• You can’t assess compliance with codes and regulations
• You can’t submit declarations of compliance

Apply for a Class A, B, or C renewal exam through your FSR online account.

Visit our COVID-19 page for regular updates on the measures we're taking to ensure the safety of our clients, stakeholders, and employees during the spread of COVID-19.

If you hold one of the following FSR certificates of qualification, these are now considered “grandparented” FSR classes:

• FSR EM - Elevator Mechanic
• FSR EW - CQ Electrical
• FSR AC - Alarm & Comm RB203
• FSR CP – Cathodic Protection
• FSR ET – Electronics Tech
• FSR DE – Fuel Dispensing Tech
• FSR HE – Heating Mechanic
• FSR ME – Medical Dental Tech
• FSR MH – Mobile Home Tech
• FSR EW OP Electrical Worker
• FSR EWX OP Electrical Worker
• FSR OU – Overhead & Underground
• FSR TV – Radio & TV Tech
• FSR SI – Sign & Light Tech
• FSR SP – Swimming Pool Tech
• FSR WP – Water Pump Tech
• FSR WE – Winder Electrician

Grandparented FSR certificates of qualification are no longer offered by Technical Safety BC but they remain valid for the individuals who received them already. To renew your grandparented certificate, you need to complete 4 hours of continuing education.

To complete your continuing education, register for a 4-hour online course applicable to your certificate class.

Note: grandparented classes have undergone name changes for 2021. The new name will be automatically updated in your wallet card, so no extra action is required on your part during the renewal process.