Published on: June 23, 2023

WorkSafeBC is implementing mandatory requirements that anyone doing asbestos abatement work in B.C. will need to be trained and certified, and employers that carry out asbestos abatement work for others will have to be licensed. These requirements are an important protection to ensure workers have the appropriate understanding of how to safely do their asbestos abatement work.

Training providers approved by WorkSafeBC are now starting to offer asbestos abatement training. We encourage you to learn more at Find training: Approved training providers for asbestos abatement certification or see the summary below.

Requirements for training and certification

Starting January 1, 2024:

• Workers and independent operators will have to be trained and certified at the level required for the type of asbestos abatement work they are doing.
• Employers will have to ensure their workers are trained and certified if they are performing asbestos abatement work.

See our interactive Do I need a certificate? tool and Who is required to have a licence or certificate to understand if you need training and certification and, if so, at what level.

Finding training

Find training: Approved training providers for asbestos abatement certification includes an initial list of approved asbestos abatement training providers. Please contact training providers directly to learn more about their asbestos abatement training offerings, including dates, length of training, location, and cost.

We will continue to update the list as training providers are approved.

Getting certified (workers and independent operators)

To get certified, you must complete a training program from an approved provider and pass an exam, which may include both written and practical components depending on the level of certification. WorkSafeBC plans to offer some exams in multiple languages.

Approved training providers are now starting to offer asbestos training, so workers can be certified by the end of the year.

WorkSafeBC will issue your certificate once you have completed your course and passed your exam, permitting you to do asbestos abatement work when the requirements become mandatory on January 1, 2024. Learn about certificates.

Getting licensed (employers)

WorkSafeBC will begin accepting licence applications in September 2023. More information on the requirements for licensing, which will include having only certified workers do asbestos abatement work, will be available soon. Learn more about licensing on our page for employers.

For more information, visit the Asbestos training, certification & licensing section of our website.