How to Become a Power Engineer in Nova Scotia
Do you need certification?
Certification required
Power engineer is a compulsory trade in Nova Scotia. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.
- Protected titles
- power engineer
Show the source
“You need a certificate of qualification and power engineer licence to operate boilers, refrigeration compressors, air compressors and other gas compressors.”
From novascotia.ca/lae/equipmentsafety/engineer.asp, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Certification required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 5 steps, listed one-time fees $172.50
- Licensed in another province: 2 steps, listed one-time fees $66.35
- Trained outside Canada: 2 steps
- Annual fees
-
- Licence renewal: $66.35
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 5 done
- Listed one-time fees: $172.50
- 3 steps without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $66.35
-
You must successfully complete provincial exams if applicable, required regulated hours of practical experience, and the education requirements of Grade 12 or a prior learning assessment.
Source
“As part of the certification process, you need to successfully complete: - provincial exams, if applicable - required regulated hours under the Technical Safety Act and Power Engineers Regulations (practical experience) - education requirements (Grade 12 or prior learning assessment)”
novascotia.ca/lae/equipmentsafety/engineer.asp -
You can apply for the certificate of qualification and power engineer licence for the class you want.
- Certificate of Qualification and Power Engineer Licence: $132.70
Source
“Certificate of Qualification and Power Engineer Licence | $132.70”
novascotia.ca/lae/equipmentsafety/engineer.asp
Source
“You can apply for a certificate of qualification and power engineer licence for the power engineer certificate of qualification you want.”
novascotia.ca/lae/equipmentsafety/engineer.asp - Certificate of Qualification and Power Engineer Licence: $132.70
-
Your application is assessed for approval to challenge the exams and must be received by the deadline.
- Power Exam (per paper): $39.80
Source
“All applications are assessed for approval to challenge the exams. Your application needs to be received on or before the deadline (late applications are not accepted).”
novascotia.ca/lae/equipmentsafety/engineer.asp -
You send your completed application form to Technical Safety with your preferred exam dates included.
Source
“You need to send your completed application form to Technical Safety. Include your preferred exam dates on your form (you can find the exam dates in the Exam Schedule).”
novascotia.ca/lae/equipmentsafety/engineer.asp -
If your application is approved, you receive your licence by mail.
Source
“If your application is approved, you receive your licence by mail.”
novascotia.ca/lae/equipmentsafety/engineer.asp
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $172.50
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Application | $132.70 | 77% |
| Exams | $39.80 | 23% |
| One-time total | $172.50 | 100% |
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.
- Licence renewal: $66.35
Licensed in another province
0 of 2 done
- Listed one-time fees: $66.35
- 1 step without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $66.35
-
You apply to transfer your qualification from another Canadian jurisdiction.
- Transfer: $66.35
-
Transfer applicants receive a licence by mail if the application is approved.
Source
“International and transfer applicants receive a licence by mail.”
novascotia.ca/lae/equipmentsafety/engineer.asp
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $66.35
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Application | $66.35 | 100% |
| One-time total | $66.35 | 100% |
1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.
- Licence renewal: $66.35
Trained outside Canada
0 of 2 done
- 2 steps without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $66.35
-
You submit an international application, which can take up to 5 weeks to review.
Source
“International and transfer applications can take up to 5 weeks to review.”
novascotia.ca/lae/equipmentsafety/engineer.asp -
International applicants receive a licence by mail if the application is approved.
Source
“International and transfer applicants receive a licence by mail.”
novascotia.ca/lae/equipmentsafety/engineer.asp
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Technical Safety Division, Nova Scotia Labour, Skills and Immigration
2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.
- Licence renewal: $66.35
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.
- Re-write exam (per paper): $39.80
- Copy of Certificate of Qualification: $33.20
- Copy of Power Engineer Licence: $33.20
Requirements
Education
You need to meet education requirements of Grade 12 or a prior learning assessment.
Source
“education requirements (Grade 12 or prior learning assessment)”
novascotia.ca/lae/equipmentsafety/engineer.asp
Experience
You need to complete required regulated hours of practical experience under the Technical Safety Act and Power Engineers Regulations.
Source
“required regulated hours under the Technical Safety Act and Power Engineers Regulations (practical experience)”
novascotia.ca/lae/equipmentsafety/engineer.asp
Other
For first class certification you need to have a second class power engineer licence before applying.
Source
“You need to have a second class power engineer licence before you can apply for first class certification.”
novascotia.ca/lae/equipmentsafety/engineer.aspFor second class certification you need to have a third class power engineer licence before applying.
Source
“You need to have a third class power engineer licence before you can apply for second class certification.”
novascotia.ca/lae/equipmentsafety/engineer.aspFor third class certification you need to have a fourth class power engineer licence before applying.
Source
“You need to have a fourth class power engineer licence before you can apply for third class certification.”
novascotia.ca/lae/equipmentsafety/engineer.aspAs part of the certification process you need to successfully complete a certificate of training through an approved training provider.
Source
“As part of the certification process, you need to successfully complete a certificate of training through an approved training provider.”
novascotia.ca/lae/equipmentsafety/engineer.asp
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages do not state whether an applicant licensed in another Canadian province can register without retaking the entry-to-practice exam or a competence assessment.
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Technical Safety Division, Nova Scotia Labour, Skills and Immigration
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Technical Safety Division, Nova Scotia Labour, Skills and Immigration
Exams
-
provincial exams
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Technical Safety Division, Nova Scotia Labour, Skills and Immigration
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Technical Safety Division, Nova Scotia Labour, Skills and Immigration
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Technical Safety Division, Nova Scotia Labour, Skills and Immigration
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Scotia | $25.37 | $35.00 | $50.00 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $30.00 | $49.23 | $75.55 | — |
Power engineers in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Not confirmed yet
- Alberta Certification required
- Saskatchewan Certification required
- Manitoba Certification required
- Ontario Certification required
- Quebec Certification required
- New Brunswick Not confirmed yet
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Certification required
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Power engineers: classifications and licence requirements | novascotia.caPower Engineers : Nova Scotia Labour and Advanced Education, Building and Equipment Safety novascotia.ca/lae/equipmentsafety/engineer.asp · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a power engineer in Nova Scotia?
Yes. Certification, or registration as an apprentice, is required to work in the trade in Nova Scotia. Certification is managed by the Technical Safety Division, Nova Scotia Labour, Skills and Immigration.
Which exams are required?
provincial exams.
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