How to Become a Mobile Crane Operator in British Columbia
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Mobile crane operator is a voluntary trade in British Columbia. You can work in the trade without a certificate.
- Protected titles
- Mobile Crane Operator
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 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
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- Trained in Canada: 6 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 6 done
- 6 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 2.8 months (only 1 of 6 steps state a time)
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Interested applicants can learn how to start an apprenticeship in this trade.
Source
“Interested in this trade? Learn how to start your apprenticeship.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/mobile-crane-operator-hydraulic-80-tonnes-under -
Apprentices should register as early as possible to secure a seat for technical training with a designated training provider.
Time: 12 weeksSource
“Make sure to register as early as possible to secure a seat for technical training with a SkilledTradesBC-designated training provider.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/mobile-crane-operator -
Apprentices complete work-based training of 4,980 hours alongside technical training taken over three years.
Source
“Technical Training 12 weeks over 3 years Work-Based Training 4980 HOURS”
skilledtradesbc.ca/mobile-crane-operator -
Applicants contact Fulford Certification to book the practical assessment.
Source
“To book a practical assessment, please contact Fulford Certification.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/mobile-crane-operator -
Apprentices write the interprovincial (Red Seal) exam to earn certification.
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.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 6 done
- 6 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 24 months (only 1 of 6 steps state a time)
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Applicants search for their trade and review the Employer Declaration or Statutory Declaration form to find the required hours, job task percentage and 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/experienced-workers-stc-trades -
Once eligibility is confirmed, applicants create a SkilledTradesBC Portal account to start their 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 -
Applicants submit their application and declaration forms, and upon approval are issued a Temporary Authorization to keep working while preparing for the exam.
Time: 24 monthsTime source
“You can schedule and pass your certification exam within 24 months of your application approval.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-tradesSource
“Upon approval, you will be automatically issued a Temporary Authorization, allowing you to continue working in your trade while you are preparing to write and pass the certification exam.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-trades -
Applicants schedule and pass the certification exam, with a maximum of four attempts to achieve the required 70 per cent passing score.
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 -
To continue working in the compulsory trade, applicants must register as an apprentice and either take technical training or apply to become a Level Challenger.
Source
“To continue working in the Skilled Trades Certification (Compulsory) trades, you must register as an apprentice and either take technical training or apply to become a Level Challenger.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-trades -
Once all completion requirements are met, a certificate is mailed to the applicant and they become a certified journeyperson.
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 Qualifiers must have extensive experience of five or more years 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-trades
Other
Applicants 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-tradesApplicants' 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/mobile-crane-operatorTo continue working in the trade after July 5, 2027, crane operators must be a registered apprentice, a trade qualifier or a certified journeyperson.
Source
“To continue working in these trades after July 5, 2027, crane operators must be either:<ul><li>a registered apprentice with SkilledTradesBC, or</li><li>a trade qualifier, or</li><li>a certified journeyperson. </li></ul>”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/mobile-crane-operator-tower-crane-op...
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 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.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/mobile-crane-operator
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 -
Level 1 Standardized Level Exam
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Level 3 Standardized Level Exam
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Interprovincial (Red Seal) Exam
-
Practical Assessment
Source
“To book a practical assessment, please contact Fulford Certification.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/mobile-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 | — |
Mobile crane operators in other provinces and territories
- Alberta Certification required
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Certification required
- Ontario Certification required
- Quebec Certification required
- New Brunswick Certification required
- Nova Scotia Certification required
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Certification required
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Sources checked
- Skilled Trades Certification (Compulsory Trades) | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/skilledtradescertification · fetched October 9, 2026
- Mobile Crane Operator - Hydraulic 80 Tonnes and Under | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/mobile-crane-operator-hydraulic-80-tonnes-under · fetched October 9, 2026
- Mobile Crane Operator | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/mobile-crane-operator · fetched October 9, 2026
- Experienced Workers in STC (Compulsory) Trades | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/experienced-workers-stc-trades · fetched October 9, 2026
- Mobile Crane Operator and Tower Crane Operator Announced as Skilled Trades Certification Trades | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/mobile-crane-operator-tower-crane-op... · fetched October 11, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a mobile 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, Level 1 Standardized Level Exam, Level 3 Standardized Level Exam, Interprovincial (Red Seal) Exam, Practical Assessment.
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