How to Become a Sheet Metal Worker in British Columbia
Do you need certification?
Certification required
Sheet metal worker is a compulsory trade in British Columbia. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.
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Show the source
“Sheet Metal Worker is a Skilled Trades Certification trade, also known as a compulsory trade, in British Columbia. This means that to work in this trade, you must be registered as an apprentice, be a certified journeyperson, or have applied as a Trade Qualifier or Uncertified Experienced Worker.”
From skilledtradesbc.ca/sheet-metal-worker, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Certification required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 3 steps
- Licensed in another province: 2 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 6 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 need to find a sponsor who will support your apprenticeship.
Source
“Step 1: Find a sponsor for your apprenticeship.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/skilledtradescertification -
You register your apprenticeship with SkilledTradesBC, as a Level 1 Apprentice if you have less than a year of experience.
Source
“Step 2: Register your apprenticeship with SkilledTradesBC. If you have less than a year of experience, register as a Level 1 Apprentice.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/skilledtradescertification -
If you have one to four years of trade experience, you apply as a Level Challenger to start your apprenticeship.
Source
“Step 3: If you have 1-4 years of experience in the trade, apply as a Level Challenger to start your apprenticeship.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/skilledtradescertification
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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You hold a Certificate of Qualification from a trade board in another Canadian province or territory.
Source
“If you hold a Certificate of Qualification from a trade board in Canada, SkilledTradesBC will recognize it.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/labour-mobility -
SkilledTradesBC recognizes your certificate and you do not have to re-certify or get a re-issued certificate.
Source
“SkilledTradesBC will recognize it. You will not have to re-certify or get a re-issued certificate.”
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 6 done
- Listed one-time fees: $120
- 5 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 1.4 to 1.8 months (only 1 of 6 steps state a time)
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You 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/experienced-workers-stc-trades -
Once you have confirmed your eligibility, you create a SkilledTradesBC Portal account selecting the option to become certified as a Trade Qualifier or Uncertified Experienced Worker to start your application.
Source
“Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, create a SkilledTradesBC Portal account by selecting “I want to become certified/I want to be a Trade Qualifier/I want to become an Uncertified Experienced Worker” to start your application.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-trades -
You pay the $120 application fee through the Portal and then 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/experienced-workers-stc-trades
Source
“Pay the $120 application fee through the Portal and submit your application and declaration form(s).”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-trades - Application fee: $120
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SkilledTradesBC reviews your application package, verifies your work experience with your employers and references, and determines whether you can challenge the certification exam; processing typically takes about six to eight weeks, or longer with work experience outside Canada.
Time: 6 to 8 weeksTime source
“The typical processing time is approximately six to eight weeks, or longer if you have work experience outside of Canada.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-tradesSource
“SkilledTradesBC will review your application package, verify your work experience with the employer(s)/references you provide and determine whether you have the necessary experience to challenge the certification exam. The typical processing time is approximately six to eight weeks, or longer if you have work experience outside of Canada.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-trades -
If approved, to continue working in the compulsory trade you must register as an apprentice and either take technical training or apply to become a Level Challenger.
Source
“To continue working in the Skilled Trades Certification (Compulsory) trades, you must register as an apprentice and either take technical training or apply to become a Level Challenger.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-trades -
Once you have met all completion requirements, a certificate is mailed to the address on file and you become a certified journeyperson.
Source
“Once you have met all of the completion requirements, a certificate will be mail to the address we have on file. You are now a certified journeyperson and meet the requirements of Skilled Trades Certification!”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-trades
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.
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
Trade Qualifier applicants 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-tradesTrade Qualifiers are uncertified tradespeople with extensive experience of five or more years.
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”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-tradesUncertified Experienced Worker applicants must have at least 36,000 hours and the required scope of hands-on work experience in the trade.
Source
“You have at least 36,000 hours and the required scope of hands-on work experience in the trade”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-trades
Residency
Only those currently living and working in B.C. and familiar with provincial regulations may apply as Uncertified Experienced Workers.
Source
“Note that only those who are currently living and working in B.C. and familiar with provincial regulations may apply as Uncertified Experienced Workers.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-trades
Other
Your references must be contactable by phone to verify your work experience, otherwise your 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-tradesYou must be able to schedule and pass your certification exam within 24 months of your application approval.
Source
“You can schedule and pass your certification exam within 24 months of your application approval.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-tradesAll documents submitted with your application must be in English.
Source
“All documents submitted must be in English.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-trades
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
SkilledTradesBC recognizes a Certificate of Qualification from a trade board in Canada, so 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 within 24 months of your application approval.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-trades -
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 -
Level exam
Source
“If you have some practical experience but do not yet qualify for the certification exam, you may be eligible to challenge a level exam to enter the program at the appropriate level.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/sheet-metal-worker
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 | $23.14 | $32.16 | $45.60 | Limited (2 of 5) |
| Canada | $22.70 | $34.07 | $45.95 | — |
Sheet metal workers in other provinces and territories
- Alberta Certification required
- Saskatchewan Certification required
- Manitoba Voluntary certification
- 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
Sources checked
- Sheet Metal Worker | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/sheet-metal-worker · fetched October 9, 2026
- Skilled Trades Certification (Compulsory Trades) | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/skilledtradescertification · fetched October 9, 2026
- Labour Mobility | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/labour-mobility · fetched October 11, 2026
- Experienced Workers in STC (Compulsory) Trades | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-trades · fetched October 9, 2026
- Canadian and Military Certificate Holders | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders · fetched October 9, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a sheet metal worker 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, Red Seal exam, Level exam.
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