Boiler, Power Engineers and Welders

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Information on this page also includes the process for your welder's exam.

Study to be a power engineer

New power engineers should review the BCSA’s approved list of course providers for Power Engineering in British Columbia and Alberta.

Application process for power engineer examinations or evaluations

There are two options to apply for a power engineer exam or evaluation:

1. You can apply and pay online for your power engineer exams and evaluations through the login for power engineer, where you can also view your status of past exams or evaluations or change your personal contact information, or
2. Complete the Evaluation Application for Power Engineer, Operator and Safety Awareness Examinations Form 1206 to begin the evaluation application process or complete the Application for Power Engineer, Operator and Safety Awareness Examinations Form 1004 to begin the exam application process. The application and appropriate fees have to be submitted by mail, fax, in-person to any BCSA Offices, or call 1-866-566-7233 to talk to client services.

Power engineer certificates of qualification

British Columbia has the following classes of power engineer certification:

• First class power engineer
• Second class power engineer
• Third class power engineer
• Fourth class power engineer
• Fifth class power engineer
• Refrigeration operator
• Oilwell boiler operator
• Antique show boiler operator
• Ice facility operator
• Safety awareness boiler
• Safety awareness refrigeration

To begin your power engineer certification you need to complete a qualification in a corresponding class or full time studies, or a combination or both. You also need to have practical experience before you can qualify to take the exam.

The certification that you are applying for will be based on the following:

• Type and size of equipment
• Scope of responsibilities in terms of operating and supervising the equipment, or
• Scope of responsibilities in terms of managing and maintaining the equipment.

*Note: Your application for evaluation must be approved prior to applying for the exam as per the examination requirements in the following table. It is recommended that you submit your evaluation to the BCSA, 2 to 3 weeks before the registration cutoff date.

If you are applying for 5th class certification or lower, you must submit your evaluation application before you apply to write your exam. You will then receive confirmation of acceptance or approval either by mail or email.

More information about these prerequisites can be found in the Power Engineer, Boiler, Pressure Vessel & Refrigeration Regulations website and/or to download the Power Engineer syllabus visit the Standardization of Power Engineer Examinations Committee (SOPEEC) website.

Power Engineer provided exam supplies

1. Calculator (Casio fx 260 Solar)
2. A non-technical dictionary
3. Binder containing the handbook of formulae, physical constants, steam and refrigeration tables, ASME boiler and pressure vessel codes required except sections VI and VII, ASME boiler and pressure vessel code academic extract and supplement, ASME/ANSI B31.3 process piping code, CSA B51 and CSA B52
4. The power engineers, boiler, pressure vessel and refrigeration Safety Regulation and the Safety Standards General Regulation
5. Drawing board, T-square, drawing paper and pencils.

Power engineer exam schedules

Exams for power engineers are held in Cranbrook, Fort St John, Kamloops, Kelowna, Langley, Nanaimo, Nelson, New Westminster, Prince George, Terrace and Victoria.

For 2012

Nelson and Terrace 2012 Exam Schedules

New Westminster, Langley, Victoria, Nanaimo, Ft St John, Prince George, Kelowna, Kamloops and Cranbrook 2012 Exam Schedules

Power engineer exam locations

* indictes BCSA offices which offer computer exams as an alternative to some paper exams.

Welding qualifications

The BCP-100 certificate allows BC and Alberta Welders to work in either province. To get your certificate you are required to:

• Hold a Journeyman Welder’s Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Certification, or
• Have a minimum of 54 months of documented welding and a valid Class A or B level welding qualification certificate issued under the Provincial Standards.

The test for your certificate involves a performance qualification that will be conducted by an inspecting power engineer. To arrange your test, please contact your local BC Safety Authority office.

Registering welder performance or a welding procedure

Welding and repair companies test their new welders to qualify their procedure experience. To register a new welder:

1. Visit a recognized testing agency or engineering firm to perform the test procedure. 
2. Complete the Registration of Welder Performance Qualification Form 802 and,
3. Send your form and logbook by registered mail to any BCSA or ServiceBC office or,
4. Visit any of the BCSA offices in person and,
5. Pay the Application Fee according to the Boiler Fee Schedule.

Follow the same steps to Register a Welding Procedure Form 825.