Licensing guide · New Brunswick

How to Become a Tower Crane Operator in New Brunswick

Last checked 3 sources checkedNOC 72500

Do you need certification?

Certification is voluntary

Tower crane operator is a voluntary trade in New Brunswick. You can work in the trade without a certificate.

Protected titles
Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“New Brunswick has 12 compulsory trades under the Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification Act (AOC Act). In these trades, workers must hold the appropriate trade certification or be registered as an apprentice to perform the work.”

From gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr..., checked October 11, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Voluntary certification See the source
Routes
Annual fees
Not stated by the regulator Check with New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

Your roadmap

Every route is listed. Follow the one that matches where you trained.

Trained in Canada

  • Listed one-time fees: $25
  • 3 steps without a listed fee

  1. The applicant gets a job in the trade.

    Source
    “Apprenticeship — obtain employment and register as an apprentice, successfully complete all apprenticeship program requirements such as the on-the-job, technical training requirements and examinations to achieve a Diploma of Apprenticeship and Certificate of Qualification.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/apprentice...

  2. The applicant registers as an apprentice.

    Source
    “Apprenticeship — obtain employment and register as an apprentice, successfully complete all apprenticeship program requirements such as the on-the-job, technical training requirements and examinations to achieve a Diploma of Apprenticeship and Certificate of Qualification.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/apprentice...

  3. The applicant successfully completes all apprenticeship program requirements such as the on-the-job and technical training requirements and examinations.

    Source
    “Apprenticeship — obtain employment and register as an apprentice, successfully complete all apprenticeship program requirements such as the on-the-job, technical training requirements and examinations to achieve a Diploma of Apprenticeship and Certificate of Qualification.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/apprentice...

  4. The applicant achieves a Diploma of Apprenticeship and Certificate of Qualification.

    Source
    “Apprenticeship — obtain employment and register as an apprentice, successfully complete all apprenticeship program requirements such as the on-the-job, technical training requirements and examinations to achieve a Diploma of Apprenticeship and Certificate of Qualification.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/apprentice...

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $25

One-time fees listed for Trained in Canada, by type
Fee typeAmountShare
Application $25 100%
One-time total $25 100%

3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Licensed in another province

  • 1 step without a listed fee

  1. A tradesperson with a valid out-of-province Certificate of Qualification or Red Seal endorsement can work in New Brunswick using their existing credential.

    Source
    “Tradespeople with a valid out-of-province Certificate of Qualification (C of Q) or Red Seal endorsement can work in New Brunswick using their existing credential. They may also be able to supervise apprentices if program requirements are met.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr...

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

  • Listed one-time fees: $350
  • 3 steps without a listed fee

  1. The applicant gets a job in their trade and gains local experience.

    Source
    “Start by getting a job in your trade and gaining local experience then, contact Skilled Trades NB to see if you can challenge the certification exam or if the apprenticeship program is the better path for your success.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr...

  2. The applicant contacts Skilled Trades NB to find out whether they can challenge the certification exam or whether the apprenticeship program is the better path.

    Source
    “Start by getting a job in your trade and gaining local experience then, contact Skilled Trades NB to see if you can challenge the certification exam or if the apprenticeship program is the better path for your success.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr...

  3. The applicant's international education and work experience are reviewed to identify credit toward NB certification.

    Source
    “Assessment of your experience: Your international education and work experience are reviewed to identify credit toward NB certification.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr...

  4. A personalized learning plan is developed and completed with Skilled Trades NB and the employer to address differences in language, terminology, safety and trade practices and standards.

    Source
    “Personalized learning plan: Develop and complete a plan is created with Skilled Trades NB and your employer to address differences in language, terminology and safety and trade practices and standards.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr...

  5. The applicant attends training or challenges the exam when ready.

    Source
    “Training and certification exam: Attend training or challenge the exam when ready.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr...

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $350

One-time fees listed for Trained outside Canada, by type
Fee typeAmountShare
Assessment $100 29%
Exams $250 71%
One-time total $350 100%

3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

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.

Requirements

Not stated by the regulator Check with New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

Already licensed in another province?

Direct transfer

Tradespeople with a valid out-of-province Certificate of Qualification or Red Seal endorsement can work in New Brunswick using their existing credential without first obtaining a New Brunswick Certificate of Qualification.

Source
“New Brunswick recognizes valid Red Seal endorsements, Certificates of Qualification (C of Q), and other trade certificates issued by Canadian provinces and territories. This means certified tradespeople can move to New Brunswick and work in their trade without first obtaining a New Brunswick Certificate of Qualification (C of Q).”
gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr...

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

Not stated by the regulator Check with New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

Exams

Language tests

Not stated by the regulator Check with New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Not stated by the regulator Check with New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

Supervised practice

Not stated by the regulator Check with New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

Demand and pay

Job Bank figures for NOC 72500, Crane operators. Wages for 2023-2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in New Brunswick and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
New Brunswick $23.81 $35.00 $50.60 Moderate (3 of 5)
Canada $26.50 $42.77 $52.19 —

Wages by region and job outlook in New Brunswick

Wages in every province and territory

Tower crane operators in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 9 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

Compare tower crane operator licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 11, 2026.

  1. Internationally and nationally trained or certified trades people - gnb.ca gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr... · fetched October 11, 2026
  2. The apprenticeship and occupational certification program - gnb.ca gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/apprentice... · fetched October 11, 2026
  3. Fees and forms - gnb.ca gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/fees-forms... · fetched October 11, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as a tower crane operator in New Brunswick?

No. Certification is available, but it is not required to work in the trade in New Brunswick. Certification is managed by the New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour.

Which exams are required?

Certification Exam.

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