How to Become a Construction Craft Worker in British Columbia
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Construction craft worker is a voluntary trade in British Columbia. You can work in the trade without a certificate.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“See matrix of all Accredited, Recognized and Designated SkilledTradesBC Trade Programs . … Construction Craft Worker (Labourer)”
From skilledtradesbc.ca/find-your-trade, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
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- Licensed in another province: 4 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.
Licensed in another province
0 of 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
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You must have your full certification or licence from the other province or territory.
Source
“Mutual recognition only applies if you have your full certification or license.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/labour-mobility -
SkilledTradesBC recognizes your Certificate of Qualification from another Canadian trade board and you do 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 -
You must 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 -
For certain trades you need to contact the local safety authority because it has additional licences and requirements for working in B.C.
Source
“For certain trades, you will need to contact the local safety authority as they have additional licenses and requirements to work within B.C.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/labour-mobility
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
- Listed one-time fees: $120
- 5 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 1.4 to 1.8 months (only 1 of 6 steps state a time)
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Search for your trade and review the Employer Declaration or Statutory Declaration form to find the required hours of work experience, percentage of job task experience and any 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 -
Once you have confirmed your eligibility, create a SkilledTradesBC Portal account by selecting the option to challenge a certification exam to start your application.
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.
- 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
“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 - Application fee: $120
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SkilledTradesBC reviews your application package and verifies your work experience with the employers and references you provide to determine whether you can challenge the certification exam.
Time: 6 to 8 weeksTime source
“The typical processing time is approximately six to eight weeks, or longer if you have work experience outside of Canada.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-tradesSource
“SkilledTradesBC will review your application package, verify your work experience with the employer(s)/references you provide and determine whether you have the necessary experience to challenge the certification exam.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-trades -
After approval you have a maximum of four attempts to achieve the required 70 per cent passing score on your certification exam.
Source
“You have a maximum of four attempts to achieve the required 70 per cent passing score on your certification exam.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-trades -
Once you have met all of the 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
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.
Source
“You have the required hours and scope of hands-on work experience in the trade.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-examTrade Qualifiers are uncertified tradespeople with extensive experience of five or more years who want to get certified without completing an apprenticeship program.
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-trades
Other
Your references must be contactable by phone to verify your work experience, and your current or previous company may be called to confirm they work or worked there.
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-examYou must be able to schedule and pass your certification exam and any practical assessments within 24 months of your application approval.
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
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
If you hold a Certificate of Qualification from a trade board in Canada, SkilledTradesBC will recognize it 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 have a maximum of four attempts to achieve the required 70 per cent passing score on your certification exam.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-trades -
Practical assessment
Source
“Some trades may also require a practical assessment in addition to the certification exam.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam
Language tests
No minimum test score stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Exemptions: Applicants do not need to show IELTS or CELPIP English language exam results 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/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 | $20.00 | $25.00 | $38.50 | Limited (2 of 5) |
| Canada | $18.25 | $25.00 | $40.00 | — |
Construction craft workers in other provinces and territories
- Alberta Voluntary certification
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Voluntary certification
- Ontario Voluntary certification
- Quebec Certification required
- New Brunswick Voluntary certification
- Nova Scotia Voluntary certification
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Find Your Trade | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/find-your-trade · 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
- Experienced Workers in STC (Compulsory) Trades | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-trades · fetched October 9, 2026
- Canadian and Military Certificate Holders | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders · fetched October 9, 2026
- Newcomers and International Tradespersons | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersons · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a construction craft worker 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.
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