How to Become a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic in British Columbia
Do you need certification?
Certification required
Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic is a compulsory trade in British Columbia. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Under Skilled Trades Certification, workers in the trades below are required to be either registered with SkilledTradesBC as an apprentice or trade qualifier or certified as a journeyperson:”
From skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/skilledtradescertification, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Certification required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 6 steps, listed one-time fees $120
- Licensed in another province: 2 steps, listed one-time fees $120
- Trained outside Canada: 2 steps
- 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 6 done
- Listed one-time fees: $120
- 5 steps without a listed fee
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Search for your trade and review the declaration form to confirm 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 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. 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 -
Pay the application fee through the Portal and submit 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
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Wait to be notified of the result of your application review.
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% |
5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 2 done
- Listed one-time fees: $120
- 1 step without a listed fee
-
Submit an exam application, a photocopy of your Certificate of Qualification and the 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
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Apply to write 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 2 done
- 2 steps without a listed fee
-
Search for your trade on the Find Your Trade page 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/index%2Ephp/get-certified/newcomers-internationa... -
Either register as an apprentice with a sponsor or apply to challenge the certification exam as a Trade Qualifier.
Source
“- Apprenticeship registration and completion in B.C. for newly landed immigrants - Experienced tradespersons who want to get certified in B.C. (also known as Trade Qualifiers)”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/get-certified/newcomers-internationa...
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.
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-exam
Other
Your 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-examTo be employed as an apprentice you must be legally authorized to work in Canada, and to attend technical training you must be legally authorized to study in Canada.
Source
“To be employed as an apprentice, you must be legally authorized to work in Canada. To attend technical training as an apprentice, you must be legally authorized to study in Canada and meet the eligibility requirements defined by the training provider.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/get-certified/newcomers-internationa...
Already licensed in another province?
Extra steps
Certificate holders from another Canadian jurisdiction may obtain a Red Seal Endorsement by submitting an exam application, a photocopy of their Certificate of Qualification and a $120 out-of-province assessment fee. Source
“If you hold a Certificate in a skilled trade outside of B.C. from another provincial apprenticeship authority or Canadian jurisdiction, you may be eligible to obtain a Red Seal Endorsement.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders
Submit documents and fee
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-holdersWrite the Red Seal exam
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
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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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 -
Practical assessment
Source
“Some trades may also require a practical assessment in addition to the certification exam.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam -
Red Seal exam
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
Language tests
No minimum test score stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Exemptions: IELTS or CELPIP results are not required to become a skilled trade apprentice or to write an exam with SkilledTradesBC. Source
“Do I need to show my IELTS/CELPIP (English Language) exam results to become an apprentice or write an exam with SkilledTradesBC? 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
Applicants with extensive work experience in the trade may challenge the certification exam as a Trade Qualifier and become certified without completing an apprenticeship program. Source
“If you have extensive experience in your trade, you may be eligible to challenge the certification exam as a Trade Qualifier and become certified without going through an apprenticeship program.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | $24.23 | $40.00 | $62.00 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $22.00 | $37.50 | $56.00 | — |
Refrigerations and air conditioning mechanics in other provinces and territories
- Alberta Certification required
- Saskatchewan Certification required
- 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 Voluntary certification
- Yukon Voluntary certification
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Compare refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic licensing across Canada
Sources checked
- Skilled Trades Certification (Compulsory Trades) | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/skilledtradescertification · fetched October 11, 2026
- Challenge a Certification Exam | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam · fetched October 11, 2026
- Canadian and Military Certificate Holders | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders · fetched October 9, 2026
- Newcomers and International Tradespersons | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/get-certified/newcomers-internationa... · fetched October 11, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic in British Columbia?
Yes. Certification, or registration as an apprentice, is 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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