How to Become a Drywall Installer and Finisher in British Columbia
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Drywall installer and finisher 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
“Drywall installer and finisher trade certification is available, but voluntary, in British Columbia.”
From noc.esdc.gc.ca/Structure/NocProfile, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
-
- Licensed in another province: 2 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.
Licensed in another province
0 of 2 done
- Listed one-time fees: $120
- 1 step without a listed fee
-
Send an Exam Application, a photocopy of your Certificate of Qualification, and the out-of-province assessment fee to Customer Service.
- 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
“Please submit the following documents to Customer Service: Exam Application, A photocopy of your Certificate of Qualification, $120 out-of-province assessment fee.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders - Out-of-province assessment fee: $120
-
Apply to write the Red Seal exam to obtain a Red Seal Endorsement, with no fee for the first and second attempts.
Source
“There is no fee to challenge the Red Seal exam for the first and second attempts.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $120
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment | $120 | 100% |
| One-time total | $120 | 100% |
1 step 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: 2.3 to 2.8 months (only 1 of 6 steps state a time)
-
Search the Find Your Trade page to locate the B.C. trade matching your foreign certification and review what is needed to become certified.
Source
“Visit the Find Your Trade page to search for your trade. The Record Books and the Challenge a Trade section on each trade page may help you determine what is required to become certified in that trade.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersons -
Review the trade page and declaration forms to confirm the required hours of work experience, job task percentage and prerequisite credentials before applying.
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/challenge-certification-exam -
Create a SkilledTradesBC Portal account and select the option to challenge a certification exam to begin the 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/challenge-certification-exam -
Complete and submit the application through the Portal with an Employer or Statutory Declaration for each period of work experience, ensuring all documents are in English.
- Application fee: $120
Source
“Pay the $120 application fee through the Portal and submit your application and declaration form(s).”
skilledtradesbc.ca/challenge-certification-exam
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/challenge-certification-exam - Application fee: $120
-
Time: 10 to 12 weeks
Time source
“The typical processing time is approximately 10 to 12 weeks, or longer if you have work experience outside of Canada.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/challenge-certification-examSource
“SkilledTradesBC will review your application package, verify your work experience with the employer(s)/references you provide and determine whether you have the necessary experience to challenge the certification exam.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/challenge-certification-exam -
Once approved, schedule and pass the certification exam, and any applicable practical assessment, within 24 months of 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/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
Applicants 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/challenge-certification-exam
Other
References will be contacted by phone to verify work experience, and the application will be denied if they cannot be reached.
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/challenge-certification-examAll documents submitted with the application must be in English.
Applicants must be able to schedule and pass the certification exam and any practical assessments within 24 months of 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/challenge-certification-exam
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
A worker holding a Certificate of Qualification issued by authorities in another Canadian province or territory has already met the Skilled Trades Certification requirements. Source
“If you already have a Certificate of Qualification issued by jurisdictional authorities in other Canadian provinces or territories or an Interprovincial Red Seal in Skilled Trades Certification trades, you have met the requirements of Skilled Trades Certification.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/skilledtradescertification
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Exams
-
certification exam
Source
“You can schedule and pass your certification exam and practical assessments, if applicable, within 24 months of your application approval.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/challenge-certification-exam -
practical assessment
Source
“Some trades may also require a practical assessment in addition to the certification exam.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/challenge-certification-exam -
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
Not stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
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 installers and finishers 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
Compare drywall installer and finisher licensing across Canada
Sources checked
- noc.esdc.gc.ca/Structure/NocProfile noc.esdc.gc.ca/Structure/NocProfile
- Canadian and Military Certificate Holders | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders · fetched October 9, 2026
- Newcomers and International Tradespersons | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersons · fetched October 10, 2026
- Challenge a Certification Exam | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/challenge-certification-exam · fetched October 9, 2026
- Skilled Trades Certification (Compulsory Trades) | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/skilledtradescertification · fetched October 11, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a drywall installer and finisher 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?
certification exam, practical assessment, Red Seal exam.
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