How to Become a Tower Crane Operator in British Columbia
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Tower crane operator 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
“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: 5 steps
- Licensed in another province: no separate route
- Trained outside Canada: no separate route
- 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 5 done
- 5 steps without a listed fee
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If you are interested in the trade, learn how to start an apprenticeship.
Source
“Interested in this trade? Learn how to start your apprenticeship.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/tower-crane-operator -
Register as early as possible with a SkilledTradesBC-designated training provider to secure a seat for technical training.
Source
“The classroom is where you learn the technical knowledge to complement your work-based training. Make sure to register as early as possible to secure a seat for technical training with a SkilledTradesBC-designated training provider.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/tower-crane-operator -
Complete the technical training, which is 9 weeks over 2 years.
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Complete 2685 hours of work-based training.
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Write and pass the certification exam to get certified with a Red Seal Endorsement or B.C. Certificate of Qualification.
Source
“Write and pass the certification exam to get certified with a Red Seal Endorsement or B.C. Certificate of Qualification.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/skilledtradescertification
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with SkilledTradesBC
5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
No separate route for this group. Source
“If you already hold a Tower Crane Operator BC Certificate of Qualification (CofQ), your certification is still valid and no action is required.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/tower-crane-operator
Trained outside Canada
No separate route for this group. 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/tower-crane-operator
Requirements
Experience
To continue working in the trade after July 5, 2027, crane operators must be a registered apprentice with SkilledTradesBC, 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.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/mobile-crane-operator-tower-crane-op...Trade qualifier applicants must have over five years of practical experience in the trade but not be certified.
Source
“If you have over five years of practical experience in a Skilled Trades Certification trade but are not certified, you have two options:”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/experienced-workers-stc-trades
Other
BC 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/tower-crane-operator
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages state that holders of a B.C. Certificate of Qualification or Red Seal endorsement have met the requirement, and that holders of another certification recognized by BC Crane Safety should contact SkilledTradesBC to confirm whether they meet the requirements. Source
“If you hold another certification recognized by BC Crane Safety, you should contact SkilledTradesBC to confirm whether you meet the Skilled Trades Certification requirements.”
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
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Level 1 Standardized Level Exam
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Level 2 Standardized Level Exam
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Interprovincial Red Seal Exam
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Practical Assessment
Source
“Practical Assessment Information To book a practical assessment, please contact Fulford Certification.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/tower-crane-operator -
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/index%2Ephp/experienced-workers-stc-trades -
Level Placement Exam
Source
“To challenge a level exam, submit a completed Tower Crane Operator Level Placement Exam Application Form to Customer Service.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/tower-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 | — |
Tower crane operators in other provinces and territories
- Alberta Certification required
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Certification required
- Ontario Certification required
- Quebec Certification required
- New Brunswick Voluntary certification
- Nova Scotia Certification required
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Certification required
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Skilled Trades Certification (Compulsory Trades) | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/skilledtradescertification · fetched October 9, 2026
- Tower Crane Operator | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/tower-crane-operator · fetched October 9, 2026
- Skilled Trades Certification (Compulsory Trades) | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/skilledtradescertification · fetched October 11, 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
- Experienced Workers in STC (Compulsory) Trades | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/experienced-workers-stc-trades · fetched October 9, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a tower 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?
Level 1 Standardized Level Exam, Level 2 Standardized Level Exam, Interprovincial Red Seal Exam, Practical Assessment, certification exam, Level Placement Exam.
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