How to Become a Parts Technician in British Columbia
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Parts 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.”
From skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/labour-mobility, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
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- Licensed in another province: 2 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 5 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
- 2 steps without a listed fee
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You must hold a full Certificate of Qualification from a trade board in Canada and be in good standing.
Source
“Mutual recognition only applies if you have your full certification or license.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/labour-mobility -
Compare the B.C. trade name with the issuing jurisdiction and check whether any provincial occupational health and safety requirements or special licenses apply.
Source
“You must meet provincial or territorial Occupational Health and Safety requirements for your trade, which may require you to complete short courses or minor training specific to the jurisdiction.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/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 5 done
- Listed one-time fees: $120
- 4 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 2.3 to 2.8 months (only 1 of 5 steps state a time)
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Search for your trade and review the Employer Declaration or Statutory Declaration form to find the required hours of work experience, percentage of job task experience and any 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/challenge-certification-exam -
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/challenge-certification-exam -
Complete and submit your application through the Portal with an Employer or Statutory Declaration for each period of work experience, and pay the $120 application fee.
- 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
“Pay the $120 application fee through the Portal and submit your application and declaration form(s).”
skilledtradesbc.ca/challenge-certification-exam - Application fee: $120
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SkilledTradesBC reviews your application package and verifies your work experience with your employers and references, which typically takes about 10 to 12 weeks, or longer if your work experience is outside Canada.
Time: 10 to 12 weeksTime 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
“The typical processing time is approximately 10 to 12 weeks, or longer if you have work experience outside of Canada.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/challenge-certification-exam -
If approved, 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/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.
Requirements
Experience
You 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/challenge-certification-exam
Other
Your references must be contactable by phone to verify your work experience, or 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/challenge-certification-examAll documents submitted with the application must be in English.
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
SkilledTradesBC recognizes a Certificate of Qualification from a trade board in Canada, 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/index%2Ephp/labour-mobility
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
Language tests
No minimum test score stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Exemptions: IELTS or CELPIP English language 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/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersons
Canadian experience
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in Canada to be employed as an apprentice. Source
“To be employed as an apprentice, you must be legally authorized to work in Canada.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersons
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | $20.00 | $30.00 | $39.46 | Limited (2 of 5) |
| Canada | $19.17 | $26.00 | $40.00 | — |
Parts technicians in other provinces and territories
- Alberta Voluntary certification
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Voluntary certification
- Ontario Voluntary certification
- Quebec Voluntary certification
- New Brunswick Voluntary certification
- Nova Scotia Voluntary certification
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Voluntary certification
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Sources checked
- Labour Mobility | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/labour-mobility · fetched October 10, 2026
- Challenge a Certification Exam | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/challenge-certification-exam · fetched October 9, 2026
- Newcomers and International Tradespersons | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersons · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a parts 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?
certification exam, practical assessment.
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