How to Become a Housing Maintainer in British Columbia
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Housing maintainer 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
“Work in Voluntary trades may legally be performed with or without certification or apprenticeship training”
From ellischart.ca/eng/trades/non-red-seal/housing-maintainer.shtml, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 5 steps, listed one-time fees $120
- Licensed in another province: 1 step
- Trained outside Canada: 2 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades BC
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 5 done
- Listed one-time fees: $120
- 4 steps without a listed fee
-
Search for your trade and review the declaration form to find the required hours of work experience, job task percentages and prerequisite credentials.
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 -
Create a SkilledTradesBC Portal account 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 -
Complete and submit your application through the Portal along with an Employer or Statutory Declaration for each period of work experience, with all documents in English.
- 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
“Complete and submit your application by following the prompts on the Portal. Follow this step-by-step guide for detailed instructions on what to expect during the application process. All documents submitted must be in English.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam - Application fee: $120
-
Wait to be notified of the outcome of your application.
Source
“Get notified of your application result”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam -
Schedule and pass your certification exam and any practical assessments 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% |
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 1 done
- 1 step without a listed fee
-
If you hold a full Certificate of Qualification from another Canadian province or territory in the same or very similar trade, SkilledTradesBC recognizes it and you do not have to re-certify.
Source
“SkilledTradesBC recognizes certificates issued by jurisdictional authorities in other Canadian provinces or territories. These authorities also recognize B.C. certificates.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/labour-mobility
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Skilled Trades BC
1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 2 done
- 2 steps without a listed fee
-
Visit the Find Your Trade page to search for your trade and review the Record Books and Challenge a Trade section to see what is required 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 -
Follow the challenge certification exam application process as an experienced tradesperson to get certified in B.C.
Source
“Experienced tradespersons who want to get certified in B.C. (also known as Trade Qualifiers)”
skilledtradesbc.ca/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersons
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Skilled Trades BC
2 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 before applying 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-examYour 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-exam
Other
All documents submitted with your application must be in English.
Source
“All documents submitted must be in English.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam
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 Skilled Trades BC
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades BC
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/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam
Language tests
No minimum test score stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades BC
Exemptions: IELTS or CELPIP 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/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersons
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades BC
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades BC
Demand and pay
No Job Bank wage or outlook data for this occupation yet.
Housing maintainers 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 Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Sources checked
- Housing Maintainer - Ellis Chart ellischart.ca/eng/trades/non-red-seal/housing-maintainer.shtml · fetched October 10, 2026
- Challenge a Certification Exam | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam · fetched October 10, 2026
- Labour Mobility | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/labour-mobility · fetched October 10, 2026
- Newcomers and International Tradespersons | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersons · fetched October 10, 2026
- Canadian and Military Certificate Holders | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a housing maintainer in British Columbia?
No. Certification is available, but it is not required to work in the trade in British Columbia. Certification is managed by Skilled Trades BC.
Which exams are required?
Certification exam.
Getting Licensed? Get Your Resume Ready Too
Nainly pairs expert resume assessment with a done-for-you career marketing campaign, so your profile keeps reaching decision-makers while you work through the licensing steps.
Schedule a CallFree consultation. No commitment.