How to Become a Drywall Finisher and Plasterer in British Columbia
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Drywall finisher and plasterer 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
“Skilled Trades Certification requirements are already in effect for designated electrical and mechanical trades.”
From skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/skilledtradescertification, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 3 steps
- Licensed in another province: 3 steps, listed one-time fees $120
- 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 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
-
Find an employer or sponsor who is willing to sponsor and register you as an apprentice.
Source
“Step 1: Find a sponsor for your apprenticeship.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/skilledtradescertification -
Register your apprenticeship with SkilledTradesBC, as a Level 1 Apprentice if you have less than a year of experience.
Source
“Register your apprenticeship with SkilledTradesBC. If you have less than a year of experience, register as a Level 1 Apprentice.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/skilledtradescertification -
Register as early as possible with a designated training provider to secure a seat for technical training.
Source
“Make sure to register as early as possible to secure a seat for technical training with a SkilledTradesBC-designated training provider.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/drywall-finisher-and-plasterer
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with SkilledTradesBC
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 3 done
- Listed one-time fees: $120
- 2 steps without a listed fee
-
Submit an Exam Application and a photocopy of your Certificate of Qualification to Customer Service.
Source
“Please submit the following documents to Customer Service: - Exam Application - A photocopy of your Certificate of Qualification”
skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders -
Pay the $120 out-of-province assessment fee with your application.
- 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
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 - Out-of-province assessment fee: $120
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Apply to write and pass the Red Seal exam to obtain a Red Seal Endorsement.
Source
“you may be eligible to obtain a Red Seal Endorsement by applying to write the Red Seal exam”
skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $120
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Application | $120 | 100% |
| One-time total | $120 | 100% |
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)
-
Check the program requirements and confirm you have the required hours and scope of hands-on work experience in the trade.
Source
“Check the program requirements and your eligibility”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam -
Create a SkilledTradesBC Portal account by selecting the option to challenge a certification exam.
Source
“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 -
Complete and submit your application with an Employer or Statutory Declaration for each period of work experience, with all documents in English.
Source
“Complete and submit your application by following the prompts on the Portal.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam -
Pay the $120 application fee through the Portal when submitting 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
-
Wait to be notified of the result of your application review.
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
“Get notified of your application result”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam -
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.
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-examApprentices must complete 5040 hours of work-based training and 12 weeks of technical training over 2 years.
Source
“Technical Training 12 weeks over 2 years Work-Based Training 5040 HOURS”
skilledtradesbc.ca/drywall-finisher-and-plasterer
Other
To 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...Your references will be contacted by phone to verify your work experience, and the application will be denied if they cannot be contacted.
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-exam
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
SkilledTradesBC recognizes a Certificate of Qualification from a trade board in Canada, so you do 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
Source
“The Certificate of Qualification Exam is available for approved challengers until March 31, 2028.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/drywall-finisher-and-plasterer -
Drywall Finisher and Plasterer Interprovincial Red Seal exam
Source
“you may do so by writing and passing the Drywall Finisher and Plasterer Interprovincial Red Seal exam”
skilledtradesbc.ca/drywall-finisher-and-plastererWhich provinces ask for the Drywall Finisher and Plasterer Interprovincial Red Seal exam
-
Level 1 Standardized Level Exam
-
Practical assessment
Source
“Some trades may also require a practical assessment in addition to the certification exam.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam
Language tests
No minimum test score stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Exemptions: IELTS or CELPIP results are not required to become an apprentice or 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
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | $22.00 | $30.00 | $39.84 | Limited (2 of 5) |
| Canada | $23.00 | $33.00 | $43.75 | — |
Drywall finishers and plasterers in other provinces and territories
- Alberta Not confirmed yet
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Not confirmed yet
- Ontario Voluntary certification
- Quebec Certification required
- New Brunswick Not confirmed yet
- Nova Scotia Voluntary certification
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Compare drywall finisher and plasterer licensing across Canada
Sources checked
- Skilled Trades Certification (Compulsory Trades) | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/skilledtradescertification · fetched October 11, 2026
- Drywall Finisher and Plasterer | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/drywall-finisher-and-plasterer · fetched October 9, 2026
- Canadian and Military Certificate Holders | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders · fetched October 9, 2026
- Challenge a Certification Exam | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam · fetched October 11, 2026
- Newcomers and International Tradespersons | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/get-certified/newcomers-internationa... · fetched October 11, 2026
- Labour Mobility | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/labour-mobility · fetched October 9, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a drywall finisher and plasterer 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, Drywall Finisher and Plasterer Interprovincial Red Seal exam, Level 1 Standardized Level Exam, Practical assessment.
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