How to Become a Tower Crane Operator in British Columbia
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Tower crane operator is a voluntary trade in British Columbia. You can work in the trade without a certificate.
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- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“For Mobile Crane Operator and Tower Crane Operator, Skilled Trades Certification requirements will take effect on July 5, 2027.”
From skilledtradesbc.ca/skilledtradescertification, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
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- Trained in Canada: 4 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 6 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 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
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Begin your apprenticeship in the Tower Crane Operator trade through SkilledTradesBC.
Source
“Interested in this trade? Learn how to start your apprenticeship.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/tower-crane-operator -
Attend the classroom technical training, which takes 9 weeks over 2 years, with a designated training provider.
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Complete 2,685 hours of work-based training.
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Write and pass the Interprovincial Red Seal exam to earn your Red Seal certification.
Source
“If you wish to earn a Red Seal Endorsement on your BC CofQ, you may do so by writing and passing the Tower Crane Operator Interprovincial Red Seal exam.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/tower-crane-operator
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with SkilledTradesBC
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 6 done
- 6 steps without a listed fee
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Search for your trade and review the Employer Declaration or Statutory Declaration form to confirm you have the required hours, job task experience and prerequisite credentials.
Source
“Search for your trade using Find Your Trade. 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 -
Create a SkilledTradesBC Portal account selecting the option to become certified or a Trade Qualifier 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 -
Submit your application along with the required declaration form(s).
Source
“Submit your application and declaration form(s)”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-trades -
Schedule your certification exam within 24 months of your application approval.
Source
“Step 2: Schedule your certification exam within 24 months of your application approval.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/skilledtradescertification -
Source
“Step 3: Write and pass the certification exam to get certified with a Red Seal Endorsement or B.C. Certificate of Qualification.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/skilledtradescertification -
Once you have met all completion requirements, a certificate will be mailed to the address on file.
Source
“Once you have met all of the completion requirements, a certificate will be mail to the address we have on file.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-trades
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with SkilledTradesBC
6 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Requirements
Experience
Trade Qualifier applicants must have five or more years of extensive experience in the trade.
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, by challenging the certification exam.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-tradesApplicants 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-trades
Other
Applicants' references must be contactable by phone to verify their work experience.
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-tradesApplicants must be able to schedule and pass their certification exam within 24 months of application approval.
Source
“You can schedule and pass your certification exam within 24 months of your application approval.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-tradesBC Crane Safety registration is required for all crane operators in British Columbia.
Source
“BC Crane Safety registration is required for all crane operators in British Columbia.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/tower-crane-operator
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages do not state how someone already licensed in another Canadian province or territory can register in British Columbia. Source
“If you already hold a Tower Crane Operator BC Certificate of Qualification (CofQ), your certification is still valid and no action is required.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/tower-crane-operator
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
“Step 3: Write and pass the certification exam to get certified with a Red Seal Endorsement or B.C. Certificate of Qualification.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/skilledtradescertification -
Interprovincial Red Seal Exam
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Level 1 Standardized Level Exam
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Level 2 Standardized Level Exam
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Practical assessment
Source
“Practical Assessment Information To book a practical assessment, please contact Fulford Certification.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/tower-crane-operator -
Level Placement Exam
Source
“To challenge a level exam, submit a completed Tower Crane Operator Level Placement Exam Application Form to Customer Service.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/tower-crane-operator
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 | $27.00 | $43.00 | $55.00 | Limited (2 of 5) |
| Canada | $26.50 | $42.77 | $52.19 | — |
Tower crane operators in other provinces and territories
- Alberta Certification required
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Certification required
- Ontario Certification required
- Quebec Certification required
- New Brunswick Voluntary certification
- Nova Scotia Certification required
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Certification required
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Skilled Trades Certification (Compulsory Trades) | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/skilledtradescertification · fetched October 9, 2026
- Tower Crane Operator | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/tower-crane-operator · fetched October 9, 2026
- Experienced Workers in STC (Compulsory) Trades | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-trades · fetched October 9, 2026
- Skilled Trades Certification (Compulsory Trades) | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/skilledtradescertification · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a tower crane operator 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, Interprovincial Red Seal Exam, Level 1 Standardized Level Exam, Level 2 Standardized Level Exam, Practical assessment, Level Placement Exam.
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