Levels of certification and their purposes are as follows:

• Level 1, Foundations: For individuals involved in the transportation and disposal of asbestos-containing waste.
• Level 2, Abatement: For individuals conducting asbestos abatement work, ensuring safe and proper handling.
• Level 3, Worksite Management: Geared towards supervisors and others responsible for health and safety at asbestos abatement worksites. The title of supervisor is not mandatory for this level, emphasizing the importance of everyone completing level 3 certification. Safety at a worksite is a collective responsibility.
• Level S, Surveyor: For asbestos surveyors or samplers, enabling accurate assessment.

It is not a regulatory requirement for employers to pay for workers' asbestos certification; however, some employers may choose to do so to ensure compliance with the licensing requirement. 

Certification is tied to the individual, not the employer. If a person changes workplaces, they do not need to get re-certified under the new employer.

A question that should be addressed to WorkSafeBC; However, to our knowledge, certain designations like CRSP, CIH, ROH, and ROHT may bypass training and challenge the Level S exam, subject to registration and proof of credentials. 

Consult with WorkSafeBC for more details.

Ship builders have been excluded from Bill 5 and do not require our training programs, The legislation limits the scope of the licensing and certification requirements to asbestos abatement work in relation to a building. 

However, Part 6 of the Regulation would still apply to ship builders.

A consultant, as an employer or an independent operator, must be certified to carry out asbestos abatement work as defined in the legislation. Independent operators are not required to obtain a licence but may choose to do so. 

Consultants who conduct asbestos surveys would have to be certified.

Labs that analyze building materials for asbestos are not required to have a licence or certificate as their work does not meet the definition of asbestos abatement work as defined in the Bill 5 legislation. 

However, they must meet certain requirements.

Yes. To conduct asbestos abatement work as defined in Bill 5, an abatement worker from out of province would require B.C. certification. 

WorkSafeBC may pre-determine reciprocity of another jurisdiction’s training program.

Starting on January 1, 2024, any person doing asbestos abatement work in B.C. will have to be trained and certified. This training will help ensure they are able to do this work safely, reducing the exposure to asbestos that can cause serious, long-term health problems.

No,  Licensing and certifications are not the same. A licence is obtained by an employer to perform asbestos work in the province. Certifications are obtained by workers to perform asbestos work as a result of successful completion of a WorkSafeBC approved training program.

Employers within the asbestos abatement industry will be required to have a licence to operate. Any employer who continues to operate without a licence will be subject to enforcement, including orders, penalties, and injunctions.

Yes, asbestos licenses need to be renewed. 

Click here for more details from WorkSafeBC → 

Certificates are valid for three years.

Certificate holders will need to renew their certificate prior to expiry to continue performing asbestos abatement work. 

For all levels, the theory certification exam will be multiple choice. There will be no written component (i.e., essay or short answer questions).

Workers in other trades, like electricians, plumbers, HVAC contractors, and flooring contractors, who occasionally encounter asbestos-containing materials in their work but are not engaged in asbestos abatement for building-related activities do not need a certificate. 

However, their employers are still responsible for providing adequate instruction and training to ensure safe work practices. 

The Level 1 Foundational Awareness training, supplemented by additional guidance from the employer, can be used to learn how to work safely around asbestos.

Some tradesworkers may also perform asbestos abatement work if their employer offers such services alongside their trade-related activities, particularly when removing asbestos-containing materials during building renovations. In such cases, certification is required.

Workers who are not certified in B.C. but have completed relevant asbestos abatement training (e.g., at an earlier time or in another province) may be able to get full or partial credit toward certification.

For More Information, please click here to visit the applicable WorkSafeBC web page. 

You can only obtain certification through training offered by a provider approved by WorkSafeBC. 

Certification requires successful completion of the authorized program, including a written exam for the mandatory level. For Level 2, a practical evaluation is also mandatory.