Contractor Registration

Registration Requirements

The Electrical Safety Regulation requires every person who operates as an electrical contractor in BC must hold a valid Contractor License.

A license will be issued when a person complies with all the following requirements:

  • Provide a bond in the amount of $10,000 by a surety licensed under the Insurance Act;
  • Be certified as a Field Safety Representative (FSR) in the proper classification or employ at least one FSR person who is so certified;
  • Subscribe to the "Crown Publications Inc."
The contractor is responsible for ensuring his or her employees are qualified (holder of an Electrical Trades Certificate) see Part 1 Division 1 of the Electrical Safety Regulation for details, and to make sure the electrical work is left in a safe condition.
Unless the contractor is certified also as an Field Safety Representative (FSR), the contractor must hire at least one person who holds appropriate Field Safety Representative certification and is responsible for all electrical code matters when dealing with the BCSA. FSR certification is obained by examination.

Mandatory Field Safety Representatives (FSR) Examination

Electrical code is revised every three years. Examination will be written based on current code.
Field Safety Representative (FSR) certification is recognized after a person passes a prescribed examination. There are three major levels as well as ten other specialized certifications.

Classes of Examinations:

- Group #1	Class A  	(Unrestricted)
		Class B 	(Max. 750 volts, with no current limitation)
		Class C 	(Max. 300 volts, single-phase 200 amps)

- Group #2	Class TV 	(Cablevision & Community Antenna distribution)
		Class UR 	(Underground Raceway Installer)

- Group #3	Class EV 	(Elevator Mechanic)

- Group #4	Class LO 	(Low Energy Systems)

- Group #5	Class RE 	(Refrigeration Mechanic)

- Group #6	Class EA 	(Electrical Appliance Service Technicain)

- Group #7	Class WP 	(Water Pump Installation, including Spa & Hot Tubs)

- Group #9	Class FE 	(Full Entertainment)
		Class LE 	(Limited Entertainment)

- Group #10	Class PV 	(Solar Photovoltaic Systems)
Candidates for FSR examination must apply to the BCSA, complete a recognized code course, meet the requirements for examination and pass the examination with 70%. For further information such as fee and application form, please call the branch at (778) 396-2016.

Examination Requirements

Examinations are provided for Field Safety Representatives (FSR) only. Each examination is designed for the particular areas relevant to the scope of work. The Certificates are listed in classification groups and in descending order. Possession of the first certificate in a group rescinds the requirements to possess certificates within that group.

Classes of Certificates

Group #1    EI	    Provincial & Municipal Electrical Inspectors
		    (must be employed by the provincial or a municipal government)
	    A	    Unrestricted
		    -   BCTQ, IP, or EWX exemption, completed a recognized code   
    			course plus two additional years of relevant experience.
	    B	    Max. 750 volts, three-phase with no current limitation.
		    -   BCTQ, IP, or EWX exemption, completed a recognized code 
    			course plus additional one year experience.  
	    C	    Max. 300 volts, single-phase, 200 amps
		    -   BCTQ, IP, or EWX exemption, completed a recognized code 
    			course plus additional one year experience.  
Group #2    TV	    Cablevision & Community Antenna Distribution.
		    -   TQ required. Sections 0,2,4,6,10,12,54,68 & TV Regulations
            UR	    Underground Raceway Installer
		    -   One year exp. required. Sections 0,2,12 (Table 53).
Group #3    EV	    Elevator Mechanic
		    -   Three years exp. required. Sections 0,2,4,8,10,12,14,
			16,28,38.
Group #4    LO	    Low Energy Systems
		    -   One year exp. required.
    			Sections 0,2,4,8,10,12,14,16,26,28,46,54,56,60.
Group # 5   RE	    Refrigeration Mechanic
		    -   TQ required. Sections 0,2,4,8,10,12,14,16,26,28.
Group #6    EA	    Electrical Appliance Service Technician
		    -   A TQ or a Certificate of Apprenticeship. 
			Sections 0,2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,26,28.
Group #7    WP	    Water Pump Installations(including spa & hot tubs)
		    -   Two years exp. required. Sections 0,2,4,6,8,10,12,14,
			16,26,28,68.
Group #9    FE	    Full Entertainment (750 volts, 400 amps, three-phase)
		    -   4 years exp. Sections 0,2,4,8,10,12,14,16,26,28,30.34.42, 
    	    LE	    Limited Entertainment
		    -   For hydro supply - 240 V, 100 A, 3 or single-phase,
			for generator supply-240 V,200 A,3 or single-phase.
		    -   Two years exp. Sections 0,2,4,8,10,12,14,16,26,28,30,34,
			42,44,48,66,76.
Group #10   PV	    Solar Photovoltaic Systems
		    -   50V dc, 4000 A/H battery, 5 kW inverter with max. 300 V ac  
     			output. No regular lighting or receptacle circuits.
		    -   One year exp. with ECA certification, or 2 years without 
			ECA certification.  Sections 0,2,4,8,10,12,14,16,26,28,50.

Typical Questions

Classes A, B, C, are 3.5 hours open book examinations. Topics include Electrical Safety Regulation, Fee Regulation, Directives, B. C. Amendments, CSA Standards for Overhead Wiring and current edition of the Electrical Code.

Examinations are made up of two types of questions:
  • True or False statement (new policy - no penalty mark applied)
  • Multiple choice answers (no penalty mark applied)
The following examples are meant to give an indication of the type and format of questions:

True or False Questions

  1. A Field Safety Representative (FSR) must inspect all electrical work authorized under a permit before calling for inspection.

  2. An electrical contractor must furnish a surety bond in the amount of $10,000.

    Multiple Choice Questions

  3. The maximum span for Neutral Supported Cable between two poles is:
        A)	12 m	   B)   15 m	   C)   20 m	  D)   25 m
  4. The maximum allowable ampacity of three #8 RW90 XLPE copper conductors installed in a run of conduit located in a 32 degrees C ambient temperature is:
        A)	45 A	   B)	47.5 A	   C)	50 A	   D)	52.5 A
  5. A single-phase 6000 W 240 Volt heater is connected to a 240 volt circuit. the minimum circuit conductor ampacity required is :
        A)	15 A	   B)   20 A	   C)   30 A	   D)   40 A

How to Apply for Examination

Submit your application with proof of additional experience from your present or past employers, copy of your Electrical TQ Certificate, Proof of completion of a recognized code course and the examination fee (non-refundable) to the BC Safety Authority for approval. An application for examination may also be submitted to any branch offices if necessary. Once your application is approved, you will be notified to select an examination day.

A candidate for examination must bring his or her own code book, a non-programmable calculator and all relevent publications for use during examination.

To confirm current requirements and examination fee schedule, please contact the BCSA for an Examination Information Kit (778) 396-2016.