How to Become an Arborist Technician in British Columbia
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Arborist technician is a voluntary trade in British Columbia. You can work in the trade without a certificate.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“There are two types of skilled trades in B.C.: regulated and non-regulated trades. A number of trades are regulated in B.C. for consumer protection and to ensure public health and safety. This means to perform work in these occupations you must be a registered apprentice with SkilledTradesBC or hold a certificate of qualification, and/or be licensed by the regulatory body for that trade.”
From skilledtradesbc.ca/labour-mobility, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 4 steps
- Licensed in another province: 2 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 6 steps, listed one-time fees $120
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
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You must have an employer or sponsor who is willing to sponsor and register you as an apprentice.
Source
“have an employer/or sponsor who is willing to sponsor and register you as an apprentice”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/get-certified/newcomers-internationa... -
You must meet any required registration prerequisites for your trade.
Source
“meet any required registration prerequisites for your trade”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/get-certified/newcomers-internationa... -
You register with SkilledTradesBC to become an apprentice.
Source
“register with SkilledTradesBC”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/get-certified/newcomers-internationa... -
You complete the technical training and work-based training hours for the trade and then obtain certification.
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with SkilledTradesBC
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 2 done
- 2 steps without a listed fee
-
If you hold a Certificate of Qualification from a trade board in Canada, SkilledTradesBC will recognize it and you will not have to re-certify or get a re-issued certificate.
Source
“If you hold a Certificate of Qualification from a trade board in Canada, SkilledTradesBC will recognize it. You will not have to re-certify or get a re-issued certificate.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/labour-mobility -
For certain trades you may need to contact the local safety authority because they have additional licenses and requirements to work within B.C.
Source
“For certain trades, you will need to contact the local safety authority as they have additional licenses and requirements to work within B.C.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/labour-mobility
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with SkilledTradesBC
2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 6 done
- Listed one-time fees: $120
- 5 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 1.8 to 2.3 months (only 1 of 6 steps state a time)
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You search for your trade and review the Employer Declaration or Statutory Declaration form to find the hours of work experience, percentage of job task experience and any prerequisite credentials required.
Source
“Review the Employer Declaration or Statutory Declaration form (near the bottom of your trade page), where you can find the hours of work experience, percentage of job task experience and any prerequisite credentials required.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam -
Once you have confirmed your eligibility, you create a SkilledTradesBC Portal account by selecting the option to challenge a certification exam to start your application.
Source
“Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, create a SkilledTradesBC Portal account by selecting the option to challenge a certification exam to start your application.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam -
You complete and submit your application through the Portal, submitting an Employer or Statutory Declaration for each period of work experience listed, with all documents in English.
Source
“For each period of work experience listed on your application, you must submit an Employer or Statutory Declaration (near the bottom of your trade page).”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam -
You pay the $120 application fee through the Portal and submit your application and declaration forms.
- Application fee: $120
Source
“Pay the $120 application fee through the Portal and submit your application and declaration form(s).”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam
Source
“Pay the $120 application fee through the Portal and submit your application and declaration form(s).”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam - Application fee: $120
-
You are notified of your application result after it is reviewed and processed.
Time: 8 to 10 weeksTime source
“Currently, it takes 8 to 10 weeks for an application to get reviewed and processed.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/get-certified/newcomers-internationa...Source
“Currently, it takes 8 to 10 weeks for an application to get reviewed and processed.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/get-certified/newcomers-internationa... -
You schedule and pass your certification exam and practical assessments, if applicable, within 24 months of your application approval.
Source
“You can schedule and pass your certification exam and practical assessments, if applicable, within 24 months of your application approval.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $120
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Application | $120 | 100% |
| One-time total | $120 | 100% |
5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Other listed fees
The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.
- Out-of-province assessment fee: $120
Source
“$120 out-of-province assessment fee. You can pay online, by mail or with a cheque (payable to SkilledTradesBC) with your application.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders
Requirements
Experience
You must have the required hours and scope of hands-on work experience in the trade to challenge the certification exam.
Source
“You have the required hours and scope of hands-on work experience in the trade.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam
Other
Your references will be contacted by phone to verify your work experience, and if they cannot be contacted the application will be denied.
Source
“Your references will be contacted by phone to verify your work experience. If references cannot be contacted, it will result in a denied application.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-examYour current and/or previous company will be called to verify that your references work or worked there.
Source
“Your current and/or previous company will be called to verify that your references work there or previously were employed there.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-examTo be employed as an apprentice, you must be legally authorized to work in Canada.
Source
“To be employed as an apprentice, you must be legally authorized to work in Canada.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/get-certified/newcomers-internationa...
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
If you hold a Certificate of Qualification from a trade board in Canada, SkilledTradesBC will recognize it and you will not have to re-certify or get a re-issued certificate. Source
“If you hold a Certificate of Qualification from a trade board in Canada, SkilledTradesBC will recognize it. You will not have to re-certify or get a re-issued certificate.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/labour-mobility
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Exams
-
Certificate of Qualification Exam
-
Level exam
Source
“you may be eligible to challenge a level exam to enter the program at the appropriate level”
skilledtradesbc.ca/arborist-technician -
Red Seal exam
Source
“There is no fee to challenge the Red Seal exam for the first and second attempts.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders
Language tests
No minimum test score stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Exemptions: IELTS/CELPIP exam results are not required to become a skilled trade apprentice or to write an exam with SkilledTradesBC. Source
“No, this is not required to become a skilled trade apprentice or to write an exam with us.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/get-certified/newcomers-internationa...
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Demand and pay
No Job Bank wage or outlook data for this occupation yet.
Arborist technicians in other provinces and territories
- Alberta Not confirmed yet
- Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
- Manitoba Not confirmed yet
- Ontario Not confirmed yet
- Quebec Not confirmed yet
- New Brunswick Not confirmed yet
- Nova Scotia Not confirmed yet
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Labour Mobility | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/labour-mobility · fetched October 9, 2026
- Arborist Technician | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/arborist-technician · fetched October 11, 2026
- Newcomers and International Tradespersons | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/get-certified/newcomers-internationa... · fetched October 11, 2026
- Challenge a Certification Exam | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam · fetched October 11, 2026
- Canadian and Military Certificate Holders | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders · fetched October 9, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as an arborist technician in British Columbia?
No. Certification is available, but it is not required to work in the trade in British Columbia. Certification is managed by SkilledTradesBC.
Which exams are required?
Certificate of Qualification Exam, Level exam, Red Seal exam.
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