Contractor License Requirements

Alberta Advanced Education certifies tradespeople. All tradespeople in "designated trades" must have their Certificate of Qualification. Gas Fitters, Plumbers, and Electricians must have a Certificate of Qualification. Electricians may require additional licensing and permits depending on municipal requirements. Additionally, building permit requirements vary according to rules outlined in the Alberta Building Code, Gas Code, and Plumbing Code. Overall, prepaid contractors must have a license issued by Service Alberta. Red Seal Certifications are available for cross-country work mobility.

The Industry Training Authority in British Columbia regulates and monitors trades. All tradespeople in "regulated trades" must have their Certificate of Qualification. Electricians, Gas Fitters, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics, and Residential Builders are required to have the appropriate license. If you intend on building a house, your Licensed Residential Builder must have a mandatory B.C. building permit, along with mandatory warranty insurance. Various labour mobility acts allow tradespeople to work between BC and other Canadian provinces freely. Red Seal Certifications are also available for cross-country work mobility.

Compulsory trades are regulated under the Apprenticeship and Certification Act. Compulsory trades require Journey people to have their Certificate of Qualification and appropriate licensing in order to work in the field. Compulsory trades include Bricklaying, Electrical, Plumbing, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics, and Oil Burner Mechanics. Compressed Gas Mechanics must have either a G1 or G2 License to work in the field. Electricians must be licensed. A tradesperson must obtain a wiring permit, building permit, or plumbing permit if it is required by the municipality. Labour mobility acts enable Apprentices and Journeypeople to work freely across the Maritime provinces. Red Seal Certifications are also available for cross-country work mobility.

Like many other provinces in Canada the New Brunswick government does not require licenses for most of the trades. However, Certificates of Qualification (C of Q) care required by the government of New Brunswick for most trades in the province. Electricians, pressure gas workers and plumbers require licensing.

The Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division regulates and monitors trades in the province. Designated trades require Journeypeople to hold a Certificate of Qualification and/or licenses before they work in the field. Designated trades include: Electrical, Gas Fitting, Plumbing, and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics. Electricians must have their Contractors" Registration Certification and an electrical permit before they start a project. Municipal permit requirements vary. Joureypeople and Apprentices have free work mobility across the Maritime provinces. Red Seal Certifications are available for cross-country work mobility.

The Labour and Workforce Development Office monitors compulsory trades in the province. Designated Trades require that Journeypeople have their Certificate of Qualification and Certificate of Apprenticeship before they work in the field. These trades include: Bricklaying, Oil Heat System Technicians, Plumbing, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics, Construction Electrical, and Gas Fitting (requires additional licensing). Electrical Permits are required before the start of a project. Construction permits depend on municipality. Labour mobility acts enable Apprentices and Journeypeople to work freely across the Maritime provinces. Red Seal Certifications are also available for cross-country work mobility.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment regulates trades across The NWT. The Department of Family Services" Apprenticeship Unit does the same within Nunavut. In both territories, compulsory trades require that tradespeople are have their Certificate of Qualification before they work in-field. Such trades include: Electrical (requires further licensing) and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics (requires additional licensing). Permit requirements (such as building, occupancy and plumbing permits) are contingent on municipal bylaws. Expect your electrician to obtain an electrical permit before they begin your project. Red Seal Certifications are available for cross-country work mobility.

The Ontario College of Trades is responsible for regulating trades within Ontario. "The College" issues Certificates of Qualification to compulsory trades, and monitors tradespeople in the province. The College may penalize unregistered and uncertified people who work in the field. The Electrical Safety Authority and the Electrical Contractor Registration help monitor electricians within the province. Electricians must have their Certification of Qualification and a valid Electrical Contractors" license. Some Plumbers must be licensed and have their Certificate of Qualification. Gas and Oil Technicians and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics must have a Certification of Qualification to work in the field. Municipal bylaws dictate permit requirements for individual projects. Red Seal Certifications are available for cross-country work mobility.

The Government of P.E.I oversees trades in the province. Compulsory trades require that workers have their Certificate of Qualification prior to working in the field. Construction Electricians and Plumbers must be licensed, certified, and hold the appropriate permits before working in-field. Heat Tank Installers and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics must be certified and licensed before working in-field. Labour mobility acts enable Apprentices and Journeypeople to work freely across the Maritime provinces. Red Seal Certifications are also available for cross-country work mobility.

La Corporation des maîtres mécaniciens en tuyauterie du Québec strictly regulates contracting trades across the province in conjunction with the Commission de la construction du Quebec, Employi-Quebec, and the Régie du bâtiment Quebec. Each organization regulates and certifies different trades. Compulsory trades require that Journeypeople obtain a Certificate of Qualification, and license prior to working in-field. Certified and licensed trades include: Electrical, Gas Fitting, Plumbing, and Refrigeration Mechanics. Permits are contingent on municipal bylaws. Red Seal Certifications are available for cross-country work mobility.

The Ministry of Government Relations certifies Gasfitters and Electricians. The Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission regulates all other trades in the province. Compulsory trades require tradespeople to have their Certificate of Qualification before working in the field. Those that complete an apprenticeship also receive a Journeyperson Certification, which allows cross-country work mobility. Red Seal Certifications are also available for cross-country work mobility. Construction Electricians, Plumbers, and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics must have both of these certifications. Additionally, Construction Electricians and Gas Fitters must be licensed before they work in the field. Electrical, Gas, and Building permits are contingent on municipal bylaws.

The Ministry of Education certifies trades in the Yukon territory. Regulated trades require tradespeople to have their Certificate of Qualification before working in-field. Regulated trades include Gas Fitting, Electrical, and Oil Burner Mechanics. Gas Fitters must be licensed. All contractors must have a valid Contractor"s License. Building (which are combined with plumbing) permits are necessary in the territory. Electrical permits are necessary, but are accessible to professionals and homeowners. It is important to check with your municipality regarding permit bylaws. Red Seal Certifications are available for cross-country work mobility.