Fourth Class
Power Engineer Certification
Overview
The Fourth Class Power Engineer Certificate of Qualification allows you to be:
- Chief engineer of a plant with a corresponding or lower class;
- Shift engineer of a plant up to one class higher than the class of this certificate; and
- A person in charge of any type or size of refrigeration plant.
To obtain this certificate, you'll need to meet certain eligibility requirements. You will also need to pass an evaluation and two certification exams.
General Eligibility
To apply for your Fourth Class Power Engineer certificate, you must have one of the following:
- Proof of completing an approved Fourth Class Power Engineering course
- Proof of completing a one-year, full-time Fourth Class Power Engineering course (no qualifying time required)
- A Mechanical Engineering degree accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board
- Third Class Marine Engineer (motor) certificate of competency (issued by Transport Canada)
Visit our list of approved courses and training providers.
Evaluation Eligibility
To apply for evaluation, you must complete one of the following:
- Six months as a Power Engineer in a Fifth Class plant in a position requiring a Fifth Class Power Engineer's certificate
- Six months as a Power Engineer trainee in at least one of the following:
- A power plant that exceeds 10 sq. m of boiler capacity
- A steam heating plant that exceeds 30 sq. m of boiler capacity
- A fluid heating plant or low-pressure thermal fluid plant that exceeds 150 sq. m of boiler capacity
A low-temperature, low-pressure fluid plant that exceeds 300 sq. m of boiler capacity
- Eighteen months of experience, acceptable to a provincial safety manager, in the operation, design, construction, repair, or maintenance of equipment that falls under Power Engineer, Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Refrigeration Safety Regulation
- Third Class (or a higher class) Marine Engineer (motor) Certificate of Competency (issued by Transport Canada)
- 200 hours of boiler plant power lab training at an educational or vocational facility approved by a provincial safety manager.
Apply For Evaluation
To apply, please complete the plant operating experience form 1026. Once you've filled it in, log in to your Online Services account, start your certificate application and follow the steps to upload the completed form and submit your application. Your proof of experience form will be reviewed by a Provincial Safety Manager. Don't have an account? Sign up now.
If you wish to submit your form by mail, please address it to:
Suite 600 - 2889 East 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5M 4T5.
Exam Eligibility
To apply for your certification exams, you must meet the general eligibility requirements for this class.
Visit our exam page to find out how to apply for your exams.
About These Exams
You must pass the following two exams:
- 4A1 - Part A
- 4B1 - Part B
Effective March 1, 2023, all 3rd, 4th, and 5th class certificate of qualification examinations will consist of 100 multiple choice questions. Each exam is three hours long, and you must achieve a minimum grade of 65% on each exam to pass. Exam details, including areas of study, can be viewed in the Fourth Class Power Engineer syllabus.