How to Become a Professional Cook 2 in British Columbia
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Professional cook 2 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
“Bookmark Professional Cook 2”
From skilledtradesbc.ca/find-your-trade, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 3 steps
- Licensed in another province: 2 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 4 steps, listed one-time fees $120 (1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total)
- 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
-
You must have an employer or sponsor who is willing to sponsor and register you as an apprentice.
Source
“have an employer/or sponsor who is willing to sponsor and register you as an apprentice”
skilledtradesbc.ca/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersons -
You must meet any required registration prerequisites for your trade.
Source
“meet any required registration prerequisites for your trade”
skilledtradesbc.ca/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersons -
You register with SkilledTradesBC to become an apprentice.
Source
“register with SkilledTradesBC”
skilledtradesbc.ca/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersons
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.
Licensed in another province
0 of 2 done
- 2 steps without a listed fee
-
You need to register with a sponsor in B.C. to begin the process.
Source
“To begin this process, you’ll need to register with a sponsor in B.C. and provide a B.C. mailing address on your registration application through the SkilledTradesBC Portal.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/apprentice-mobility -
You provide a B.C. mailing address on your registration application through the SkilledTradesBC Portal.
Source
“To begin this process, you’ll need to register with a sponsor in B.C. and provide a B.C. mailing address on your registration application through the SkilledTradesBC Portal.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/apprentice-mobility
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with SkilledTradesBC
2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 4 done
- Listed one-time fees: $120
- 1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total
- 2 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 25.8 to 26.3 months (only 2 of 4 steps state a time)
-
You create a SkilledTradesBC Portal account, 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 -
You 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
Time: 8 to 10 weeksTime source
“Currently, it takes 8 to 10 weeks for an application to get reviewed and processed.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersonsSource
“Complete and submit your application by following the prompts on the Portal. ... For each period of work experience listed on your application, you must submit an Employer or Statutory Declaration”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam - Application fee: $120
-
You are notified of the result of your application review.
Source
“Get notified of your application result”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam -
You schedule and pass your certification exam and practical assessments, if applicable, within 24 months of your application approval.
- Practical assessment fee: $500 (for challengers and re-assessment for apprentices; set by the training provider and may range between $350-$500)
Source
“Please note that there is a fee attached to the practical assessment for challengers and re-assessment for apprentices which is set by the training provider conducting the assessment and may range between $350-$500.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/professional-cook-2
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 - Practical assessment fee: $500 (for challengers and re-assessment for apprentices; set by the training provider and may range between $350-$500)
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $120
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Application | $120 | 100% |
| One-time total | $120 | 100% |
1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total.
2 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-exam
Other
A valid FOODSAFE Level 1 Certification or equivalent is a prerequisite to challenge this certification.
Source
“Note: A VALID FOODSAFE Level 1 Certification or equivalent is a pre-requisite to challenge this certification.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/professional-cook-2To 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/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersons
Already licensed in another province?
Extra steps
A holder of a Certificate of Qualification from another Canadian jurisdiction may obtain a Red Seal Endorsement by submitting an exam application, a photocopy of their certificate, and a $120 out-of-province assessment fee, and writing the Red Seal exam. Source
“If you hold a Certificate in a skilled trade outside of B.C. from another provincial apprenticeship authority or Canadian jurisdiction, you may be eligible to obtain a Red Seal Endorsement.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders
Submit documents and fee
Source
“Please submit the following documents to Customer Service: Exam Application, A photocopy of your Certificate of Qualification, $120 out-of-province assessment fee.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holdersWrite the Red Seal exam
Source
“you may be eligible to obtain a Red Seal Endorsement by applying to write the Red Seal exam.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Exams
-
Certification exam
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/professional-cook-2 -
Practical assessment
Source
“Some trades may also require a practical assessment in addition to the certification exam.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam -
Level exam
Source
“If you have some practical experience but do not yet qualify for the certification exam, you may be eligible to challenge a level exam to enter the program at the appropriate level.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/professional-cook-2 -
Red Seal exam
Source
“you may be eligible to obtain a Red Seal Endorsement by applying to write the Red Seal exam.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders
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/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersons
Canadian experience
Applicants with work experience in the trade who have never been certified in Canada may challenge the certification exam as a Trade Qualifier. 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/professional-cook-2
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Demand and pay
No Job Bank wage or outlook data for this occupation yet.
Professional cook 2 in other provinces and territories
- Alberta Not confirmed yet
- Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
- Manitoba Not confirmed yet
- Ontario Not confirmed yet
- Quebec Not confirmed yet
- New Brunswick Not confirmed yet
- Nova Scotia Not confirmed yet
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
- 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
- Newcomers and International Tradespersons | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersons · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apprentice Mobility | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/apprentice-mobility · fetched October 10, 2026
- Professional Cook 2 | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/professional-cook-2 · fetched October 9, 2026
- Challenge a Certification Exam | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam · fetched October 11, 2026
- Canadian and Military Certificate Holders | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders · fetched October 9, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a professional cook 2 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, Level exam, Red Seal exam.
Getting Licensed? Get Your Resume Ready Too
Nainly pairs expert resume assessment with a done-for-you career marketing campaign, so your profile keeps reaching decision-makers while you work through the licensing steps.
Schedule a CallFree consultation. No commitment.