Canada offers opportunities for contractors across its vast territory of over 4,700 miles. For those learning how to become a contractor in Canada, your first step will be to check with your province’s contractor requirements.
Some Canadian provinces offer licenses for certain types of specialized contractors, while others require certification or another procedure. Many cities also have additional work requirements for contractors.
This article will break down both the general requirements and each Canadian province’s requirements to become a contractor in Canada.
General Instructions for Becoming a Canadian Contractor
While every province is different, most of them require contractors to first register their contracting business within the province. Then, they will either have to get a province or city-specific license or certification with their municipality to perform contracting work.
Each province and city has its standards when it comes to insurance, financials, and the type of contracting work that can be performed. If working in a specific trade – such as an electrical contractor – you will also need to hold a license or certification within that trade.
To become a general contractor in Canada, start by:
- Gaining experience under a licensed or certified contractor in your province. You may also look into an apprenticeship, if available.
- Registering your business
- Seeking certification or licensure through your province AND city
- You may also look into nationally-recognized organizations, such as the RenoMark distinction for home renovators
- Tradesmen can see if they’re eligible for the Canadian Red Seal Program as another marker of reputability in the field
Becoming a Contractor in Alberta
Alberta offers Prepaid Contractor Licenses in the province, as well as city-specific contractor’s licenses in many locations.
Prepaid contractors solicit, negotiate, or complete prepaid contracts in Alberta. They also accept money before the job is complete. For information on the application process and a list of exemptions for this license, see here.
Contractors for specific trades such as electricians, plumbers, and gasfitters are also required to hold the correct pocket certificate from Alberta.
Individual cities in Alberta may also require a Contractor’s License or Business License, such as those in Calgary and Edmonton.
Becoming a Contractor in British Columbia
British Columbia requires contractors and companies working with regulated systems to be licensed. These includes licenses for electrical, gas, boiler/refrigeration, elevating devices, and more. You will also need to get a certificate of qualification alongside your license.
Becoming a Contractor in Manitoba
Compulsory trades in Manitoba are required to hold the appropriate certification to become contractors. These include HVAC-R, plumbing, and electrical contractors. Gasfitters will need to get their license.
Becoming a Contractor in Newfoundland Labrador
Newfoundland Labrador offers Electrical Contractor and Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Compressed Gas Contractor’s Licenses.
This province also recognizes home-renovation contractors who are RenoMark certified.
Becoming a Contractor in New Brunswick
New Brunswick requires either a license (plumbing, gasfitter) or a certification (HVAC-R, oil burner, electrician, bricklayer) for contractors, depending on their trade.
Home-building and home-renovation contractors do not require formal licensing or training, although nationally-recognized programs are available to give your company more credibility in this field.
Becoming a Contractor in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia provides a clear guide to contract work in the province. First, you’ll need to create your business and register your business name. This include setting up your Worker’s Comp Insurance, business number, etc.
Then, you’ll need to meet any trade requirements. General construction is not a regulated trade in Nova Scotia, but electrical, plumbing, and other specialized trade require compulsory certifications.
Then, you’ll need to create your site plan and building plan before applying for the appropriate permits and inspection for your work.
Becoming a Contractor in Ontario
General contractors in Ontario are called constructors. Constructors are responsible for a project and all employees on said project. The guidelines for constructors in Ontario can be found here. You must abide by all constructor laws and regulations while performing contractor work in Ontario.
If you are building new homes, you may also want to form a part of the Ontario organization We Build Ontario. This organization represents both union and open-shop contractors who work in industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors.
If your contracting work is part of a compulsory trade, you’ll also need to hold a Certificate of Qualification by Skilled Trades Ontario.
Becoming a Contractor on Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island (PEI) offers licenses for plumbing, electrical, earth-movers (optional), elevator and lifts, and mechanical contractors. To get your license, you’ll need to complete your application, meet the job experience requirements, pass an official exam, and pay a licensing fee.
Becoming a Contractor in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan offers licenses for trade contractors, similarly to PEI, for electrical and gas-fitter contractors.
They also have Building Official Licenses for those who play to build new structures. These licenses are split into classes depending on the type/size of the buildings you plan to work on.
Class 1 licenses require 2 years of experience. Class 2 licenses require you to hold a class 1 license and pass an exam, and class 3 licenses require a class 2 license and to pass another exam.
Building Standards (entity) issues permits and inspections for the construction, demolition, and renovation of buildings in Saskatchewan.
Becoming a Contractor in Quebec
Quebec requires anyone carrying out construction work to hold a license. You can use their official guide to see if you meet any exemptions to this rule. Any construction workers employed by a contractor will need a separate competency certificate.
Specialized trades like plumbing, electrical, etc. must contact the official Quebec Corporation to have the contractor’s qualifications evaluated (note: this government site is in French).
The process to become a licensed contractor is the following: Once you’ve determined that you need a license in Quebec, you’ll need to register your company and determine your license subclass(es). There are four types of license subclasses:
- General contractor
- Specialized contractor
- General owner-builder
- Specialized owner-builder
Then, you’ll check the criminal history of those working within your business, followed by offering your financial guarantees.
Once you’re qualified, you can complete and submit the application form.