How to Become a Mobile Crane Operator in British Columbia
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Mobile crane operator is a voluntary trade in British Columbia. You can work in the trade without a certificate.
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- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“For Mobile Crane Operator and Tower Crane Operator, Skilled Trades Certification requirements will take effect on July 5, 2027.”
From skilledtradesbc.ca/skilledtradescertification, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
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- Trained in Canada: 5 steps
- Licensed in another province: no separate route
- Trained outside Canada: no separate route
- 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 5 done
- 5 steps without a listed fee
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Begin your apprenticeship in the mobile crane operator trade through SkilledTradesBC.
Source
“Interested in this trade? Learn how to start your apprenticeship.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/mobile-crane-operator-hydraulic-80-tonnes-under -
Register as early as possible with a SkilledTradesBC-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/mobile-crane-operator-hydraulic-80-tonnes-under -
Complete the required technical training weeks and the required work-based training hours for the trade.
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Contact Fulford Certification to book the practical assessment.
Source
“To book a practical assessment, please contact Fulford Certification.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/mobile-crane-operator -
Write and pass the Certificate of Qualification exam to become certified.
Source
“Certificate of Qualification Exam”
skilledtradesbc.ca/mobile-crane-operator-hydraulic-80-tonnes-under
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with SkilledTradesBC
5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
No separate route for this group. Source
“If you have work experience in the trade but have never been certified in Canada, you may be eligible to challenge the certification exam as a Trade Qualifier to become certified without going through an apprenticeship program.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/mobile-crane-operator
Trained outside Canada
No separate route for this group. Source
“If you have work experience in the trade but have never been certified in Canada, you may be eligible to challenge the certification exam as a Trade Qualifier to become certified without going through an apprenticeship program.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/mobile-crane-operator
Requirements
Education
The apprenticeship requires 12 weeks of technical training over 3 years.
Experience
Trade Qualifiers must have extensive experience of five or more years in the trade.
Source
“Trade Qualifiers are uncertified tradespeople who have extensive experience (five or more years) who are looking to get certified without having to complete an apprenticeship program, by challenging the certification exam.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-tradesApplicants must have the required hours and scope of hands-on work experience in the trade.
Source
“You have the required hours and scope of hands-on work experience in the trade.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-tradesThe apprenticeship requires 4980 hours of work-based training.
Other
All crane operators in British Columbia must register with BC Crane Safety.
Source
“BC Crane Safety registration is required for all crane operators in British Columbia.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/mobile-crane-operatorCrane operator certification in British Columbia is mandatory under the provincial Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.
Source
“Crane Operator certification in British Columbia is mandatory by virtue of the provincial Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (WorkSafeBC).”
skilledtradesbc.ca/mobile-crane-operatorReferences must be contactable by phone to verify work experience, or the application may be denied.
Source
“Your references can be contacted by phone to verify your work experience. If references cannot be contacted, it may result in your application being denied.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-tradesApplicants must be able to schedule and pass their certification exam within 24 months of application approval.
Source
“You can schedule and pass your certification exam within 24 months of your application approval.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-tradesTo continue working in the trade after July 5, 2027, workers must be registered apprentices, trade qualifiers, or certified journeypersons.
Source
“To continue working in the trade after July 5, 2027, workers must be: - registered apprentices with SkilledTradesBC; - trade qualifiers; or - certified journeypersons.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/mobile-crane-operator
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages do not state how someone already licensed in another Canadian province or territory can register in British Columbia. Source
“If you have work experience in the trade but have never been certified in Canada, you may be eligible to challenge the certification exam as a Trade Qualifier to become certified without going through an apprenticeship program.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/mobile-crane-operator
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Exams
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Certificate of Qualification Exam
Source
“Certificate of Qualification Exam”
skilledtradesbc.ca/mobile-crane-operator-hydraulic-80-tonnes-under -
Level 1 Standardized Level Exam
Source
“Level 1 Standardized Level Exam”
skilledtradesbc.ca/mobile-crane-operator-hydraulic-80-tonnes-under -
Level 3 Standardized Level Exam
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Red Seal Exam
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Practical assessment
Source
“To book a practical assessment, please contact Fulford Certification.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/mobile-crane-operator-hydraulic-80-tonnes-under
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 | $27.00 | $43.00 | $55.00 | Limited (2 of 5) |
| Canada | $26.50 | $42.77 | $52.19 | — |
Mobile crane operators in other provinces and territories
- Alberta Certification required
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Certification required
- Ontario Certification required
- Quebec Certification required
- New Brunswick Certification required
- Nova Scotia Certification required
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Certification required
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Sources checked
- Skilled Trades Certification (Compulsory Trades) | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/skilledtradescertification · fetched October 9, 2026
- Mobile Crane Operator - Hydraulic 80 Tonnes and Under | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/mobile-crane-operator-hydraulic-80-tonnes-under · fetched October 9, 2026
- Mobile Crane Operator | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/mobile-crane-operator · fetched October 9, 2026
- Experienced Workers in STC (Compulsory) Trades | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-trades · fetched October 9, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a mobile crane operator 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 1 Standardized Level Exam, Level 3 Standardized Level Exam, Red Seal Exam, Practical assessment.
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