How to Become an Auto Body and Collision Technician in British Columbia
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Auto body and collision technician 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
“If you have work experience in the trade but have never been certified in Canada, you may be eligible to challenge the certification exam as a Trade Qualifier to become certified without going through an apprenticeship program.”
From skilledtradesbc.ca/auto-body-collision-technician, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
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- Trained in Canada: 3 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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Find an employer or sponsor who is willing to sponsor your apprenticeship.
Source
“Step 1: Find a sponsor for your apprenticeship.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/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/index%2Ephp/skilledtradescertification -
If you have 1-4 years of experience in the trade, 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/index%2Ephp/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.
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)
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Search for your trade and review the program requirements, including the hours of work experience, percentage of job task experience and any prerequisite credentials required.
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 -
Once you have confirmed your eligibility, create a SkilledTradesBC Portal account by 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, including an Employer or Statutory Declaration for each period of work experience, with all documents 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
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Wait to be notified of the result of your application review and processing.
Time: 8 to 10 weeksTime source
“Currently, it takes 8 to 10 weeks for an application to get reviewed and processed.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/get-certified/newcomers-internationa...Source
“Get notified of your application result”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam -
Schedule and pass your certification exam and any practical assessments 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.
Requirements
Experience
You 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/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam
Other
Your references will be contacted by phone to verify your work experience, and if they cannot be contacted the application will be denied.
Source
“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-examAll documents submitted with your application must be in English.
Source
“All documents submitted must be in English.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-examTo 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/index%2Ephp/get-certified/newcomers-internationa...
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
If you already have a Certificate of Qualification issued by authorities in other Canadian provinces or territories or an Interprovincial Red Seal, you have met the Skilled Trades Certification requirements. Source
“If you already have a Certificate of Qualification issued by jurisdictional authorities in other Canadian provinces or territories or an Interprovincial Red Seal in Skilled Trades Certification trades, you have met the requirements of Skilled Trades Certification.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/skilledtradescertification
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 -
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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Level 3 Standardized Level Exam
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. Source
“No, this is not required to become a skilled trade apprentice or to write an exam with us.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/get-certified/newcomers-internationa...
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 | $21.22 | $31.82 | $47.65 | Limited (2 of 5) |
| Canada | $18.50 | $27.00 | $40.00 | — |
Auto bodies and collision technicians in other provinces and territories
- Alberta Certification required
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Voluntary certification
- Ontario Certification required
- Quebec Not confirmed yet
- New Brunswick Voluntary certification
- Nova Scotia Certification required
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Voluntary certification
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Compare auto body and collision technician licensing across Canada
Sources checked
- Auto Body and Collision Technician | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/auto-body-collision-technician · fetched October 11, 2026
- Skilled Trades Certification (Compulsory Trades) | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/skilledtradescertification · fetched October 11, 2026
- Newcomers and International Tradespersons | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/get-certified/newcomers-internationa... · fetched October 11, 2026
- Challenge a Certification Exam | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam · fetched October 11, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as an auto body and collision technician 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, Practical assessment, Interprovincial Red Seal Exam, Level 1 Standardized Level Exam, Level 2 Standardized Level Exam, Level 3 Standardized Level Exam.
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