How to Become a Rig Technician in British Columbia
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Rig 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
“Trade certification for rig technician is compulsory in Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories.”
From noc.esdc.gc.ca/Structure/NocProfile, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
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- Trained in Canada: 3 steps
- 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.
Trained in Canada
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
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You must have an employer or sponsor who is willing to sponsor and register you as an apprentice.
Source
“have an employer/or sponsor who is willing to sponsor and register you as an apprentice”
skilledtradesbc.ca/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersons -
You must meet any required registration prerequisites for your trade.
Source
“meet any required registration prerequisites for your trade”
skilledtradesbc.ca/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersons -
You register with SkilledTradesBC to become an apprentice.
Source
“register with SkilledTradesBC”
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 SkilledTradesBC
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 2 done
- 2 steps without a listed fee
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If you are registered in another province, you begin the process by registering with a sponsor in B.C.
Source
“To begin this process, you’ll need to register with a sponsor in B.C. and provide a B.C. mailing address on your registration application through the SkilledTradesBC Portal.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/apprentice-mobility -
You provide a B.C. mailing address on your registration application through the SkilledTradesBC Portal.
Source
“provide a B.C. mailing address on your registration application through the SkilledTradesBC Portal”
skilledtradesbc.ca/apprentice-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: 1.8 to 2.3 months (only 1 of 5 steps state a time)
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Search for your trade and review the declaration form to confirm the hours of work experience, job task percentage and prerequisite credentials required to challenge the exam.
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 -
Once eligibility is confirmed, 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, including 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
-
You are notified of the result of your application review.
Time: 8 to 10 weeksTime source
“Currently, it takes 8 to 10 weeks for an application to get reviewed and processed.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersonsSource
“Get notified of your application result”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam -
After approval, you must schedule and pass your certification exam and any practical assessments within 24 months.
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.
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-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-examAll documents submitted with the application must be in English.
Source
“All documents submitted must be in English.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-examTo be employed as an apprentice, you must be legally authorized to work in Canada.
Source
“To be employed as an apprentice, you must be legally authorized to work in Canada.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersons
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/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
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
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 | $25.00 | $43.00 | $70.97 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $26.37 | $47.12 | $70.00 | — |
Rig technicians in other provinces and territories
- Alberta Certification required
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Voluntary certification
- Ontario Not confirmed yet
- Quebec Not confirmed yet
- New Brunswick Not confirmed yet
- Nova Scotia Voluntary certification
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- noc.esdc.gc.ca/Structure/NocProfile noc.esdc.gc.ca/Structure/NocProfile
- Newcomers and International Tradespersons | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersons · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apprentice Mobility | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/apprentice-mobility · fetched October 10, 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
- Labour Mobility | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/labour-mobility · fetched October 11, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a rig 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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