How to Become a Steamfitter-Pipefitter in British Columbia
Do you need certification?
Certification required
Steamfitter-Pipefitter is a compulsory trade in British Columbia. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.
- Protected titles
- Steamfitter/Pipefitter
Show the source
“Steamfitter/Pipefitter 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/steamfitterpipefitter, 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
-
Find an employer or sponsor willing to sponsor your apprenticeship.
Source
“Step 1: Find a sponsor for your apprenticeship.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/skilledtradescertification -
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 1-4 years of trade experience, 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
-
Hold a full Certificate of Qualification from a trade board in another Canadian province or territory.
Source
“Mutual recognition only applies if you have your full certification or license.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/labour-mobility -
Meet the provincial or territorial Occupational Health and Safety requirements for your trade, which may include short courses or minor training specific to the jurisdiction.
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/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: 25.8 to 26.3 months (only 2 of 6 steps state a time)
-
Search for your trade and review the declaration forms to confirm the required hours of work experience, job task experience percentage 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.
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, ensuring all documents are in English.
Source
“For each period of work experience listed on your application, you must submit an Employer or Statutory Declaration (near the bottom of your trade page).”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam -
Pay the $120 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
-
Wait to be notified of your application result; references will be contacted by phone to verify your work experience.
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
“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-exam -
Schedule and pass your certification exam, and practical assessments if applicable, within 24 months of your application approval.
Time: 24 monthsTime 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-examSource
“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.
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 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
To 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-tradespersonsTo attend technical training as an apprentice, you must be legally authorized to study in Canada and meet the training provider's eligibility requirements.
Source
“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/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersons
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
SkilledTradesBC recognizes a Certificate of Qualification from a trade board in another Canadian province or territory, 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/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 -
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/steamfitterpipefitter -
Red Seal exam
Source
“There is no fee to challenge the Red Seal exam for the first and second attempts.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders
Language tests
No minimum test score stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Exemptions: IELTS/CELPIP results are not required to become a skilled trade apprentice or to write an exam with SkilledTradesBC, though trade schools may require them. Source
“No, this is not required to become a skilled trade apprentice or to write an exam with us. However, trades schools may require IELTS/CELPIP exam results to register for school.”
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 | $26.00 | $42.05 | $59.98 | Very limited (1 of 5) |
| Canada | $27.00 | $43.89 | $55.59 | — |
Steamfitter-Pipefitters 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 Certification required
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Voluntary certification
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Sources checked
- Steamfitter/Pipefitter | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/steamfitterpipefitter · fetched October 9, 2026
- Skilled Trades Certification (Compulsory Trades) | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/skilledtradescertification · fetched October 9, 2026
- Labour Mobility | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/labour-mobility · fetched October 9, 2026
- Challenge a Certification Exam | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam · fetched October 11, 2026
- Newcomers and International Tradespersons | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersons · fetched October 10, 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 steamfitter-Pipefitter 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, Level exam, Red Seal exam.
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