For employers: Asbestos licensing and certification
Licensing and certification requirements are now in effect to help keep workers safe from the danger of asbestos. As of January 1, 2024, anyone doing asbestos abatement work in B.C. must be trained and certified, and employers that carry out asbestos abatement work for others must be licensed.
- Licensing
- Training and certification
- For more information
- Resources
Licensing
Any employer conducting asbestos abatement work in relation to buildings will need a licence to do this work.
WorkSafeBC is now accepting licence applications. Applicants will be required to be registered with WorkSafeBC and pay their assessments and administrative penalties. Having amounts owing to WorkSafeBC may affect your application for an asbestos abatement licence.
For more details on who needs a licence and how to get licensed, see:
Training and certification
Any worker conducting asbestos abatement work in relation to a building must be certified, even in situations where a licence is not required.
Asbestos abatement employers will need to ensure their workers are certified to the appropriate level. The level of certification required depends on the type of asbestos work being done. Learn about certificates.
Only training from an approved training provider will qualify for certification. Find a list of approved providers here: Find training. Please contact training providers directly to learn more about their asbestos abatement training offerings, including dates, length of training, location, and cost.
In addition, if you want to be approved to provide training to your own employees, please see For training providers.
For more information
To keep up to date on the latest information about asbestos certification and licensing you can:
- Read the current and past updates
- Subscribe to receive email updates (select the “Asbestos certification and licensing updates” option)
You can also contact our Prevention Information Line if you have questions: 604.276.3100, or toll-free 1.888.621.7233.
Resources
Asbestos Abatement Licence: Guide for Licensees
Licensing requirements for asbestos abatement work are now in effect to help keep workers safe from the dangers of asbestos. As of January 1, 2024, asbestos abatement contractors (employers) must...
Asbestos licensing and certification: Who is required to have a licence or certificate
Training, certification, and licensing requirements for asbestos abatement work are now in effect to help keep workers safe from the danger of asbestos. As of January 1, 2024, asbestos abatement contractors...
Highlights
- Asbestos licensing and certification employer forum: Video and Q&A Published on: December 21, 2023
- Asbestos licensing and certification employer forum (November 8) Published on: October 18, 2023