Power engineers: classifications and licence requirements
On this page
You need a Certificate of Qualification and Power Engineer Licence to operate boilers, refrigeration compressors, air compressors and other gas compressors. As part of the certification process, you need to successfully complete:
- provincial exams, if applicable
- required regulated hours under the Technical Safety Act and Power Engineers Regulations (practical experience)
- education requirements (Grade 12 or prior learning assessment)
Overview and guidelines: Power Engineers: A Guide to Classification (PDF)
Classification levels (certificate and licence)
| Licence | Classification | Certificate | Authorized activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Engineer Licence | First Class | Certificate of Qualification | Fired power boiler plant (over 20,000 KW) |
| Power Engineer Licence | Second Class | Certificate of Qualification | Fired power boiler plant (over 10,000 KW to 20,000 KW) |
| Power Engineer Licence | Third Class | Certificate of Qualification | Fired power boiler plant (over 3,500 KW to 10,000 KW) Unfired power boiler plant (over 3,500 KW) Heating boiler plant (over 10,000 KW) |
| Power Engineer Licence | Fourth Class | Certificate of Qualification | Fired power boiler plant (over 500 KW to 3,500 KW) Heating boiler plant (over 1,500 KW to 10,000 KW) |
| Refrigeration Plant Operator Licence | First Class | Certificate of Qualification | Refrigeration plant that uses a Group A1 or B1 refrigerant (over 1,000 KW) Refrigeration plant that uses a Group A2, A3, B2 or B3 refrigerant (over 450 KW) |
| Refrigeration Plant Operator Licence | Second Class | Certificate of Qualification | Refrigeration plant that uses a Group A1 or B1 refrigerant (1,000 KW or lower) Refrigeration plant that uses a Group A2, A3, B2 or B3 refrigerant (450 KW or lower) |
| Unfired Power Boiler Operator Licence | Certificate of Qualification | ||
| Compressor Plant Operator Licence | Certificate of Qualification | Compressor plant that compresses air or a non-flammable or non-toxic gas, except oxygen, and uses any type of compressor (over 350 KW) Compressor plant that compresses oxygen or a flammable or toxic gas and uses any type of compressor (over 37.5 KW) |
Power engineer classes
First Class Power Engineer
You need a Certificate of Qualification and Power Engineer Licence (First Class) to work as a chief power engineer, shift power engineer or assistant shift power engineer for any class of boiler plant or a compressor plant. Work is provincially regulated under the Power Engineers Regulations. As part of the certification process, you need to successfully complete a certificate of training through an approved training provider.
You need to have a Second Class Power Engineer Licence before you can apply for first class certification.
Training programs: Approved Training Programs (PDF)
Second Class Power Engineer
You need a Certificate of Qualification and Power Engineer Licence (Second Class) to work as a:
- chief power engineer for a second, third or fourth class fired power boiler plant, any unfired power boiler plant, any class of heating boiler plant or a compressor plant
- shift power engineer or assistant shift power engineer for any class of boiler plant or a compressor plant
Work is provincially regulated under the Power Engineers Regulations. As part of the certification process, you need to successfully complete a certificate of training through an approved training provider.
You need to have a Third Class Power Engineer Licence before you can apply for second class certification.
Training programs: Approved Training Programs (PDF)
Third Class Power Engineer
You need a Certificate of Qualification and Power Engineer Licence (Third Class) to work as a:
- chief power engineer for a third or fourth class fired power boiler plant, any unfired power boiler plant, any class of heating boiler plant or a compressor plant
- shift power engineer for a second, third, or fourth class fired boiler plant, any unfired power boiler plant, any class of heating boiler plant or a compressor plant
- assistant shift power engineer for any class of fired boiler plant, any unfired power boiler plant, any class of heating boiler plant or a compressor plant
Work is provincially regulated under the Power Engineers Regulations. As part of the certification process, you need to
You need to have a Fourth Class Power Engineer Licence before you can apply for third class certification.
Training programs: Approved Training Programs (PDF)
Fourth Class Power Engineer
You need a Certificate of Qualification and Power Engineer Licence (Fourth Class) to work as a:
- chief power engineer for a fourth class fired power boiler plant, any unfired power boiler plant, a fourth class heating boiler plant or a compressor plant
- shift power engineer for a third or fourth class fired boiler plant, any unfired power boiler plant, any class of heating boiler plant or a compressor plant
- assistant shift power engineer for a second class of fired boiler plant (or a plant with a higher TPPR with special approval), any unfired power boiler plant, any class of heating boiler plant or a compressor plant
Work is provincially regulated under the Power Engineers Regulations. As part of the certification process, you need to successfully complete a certificate of training through an approved training provider.
Training programs: Approved Training Programs (PDF)
Refrigeration plant operator classes
First class refrigeration plant operator
You need a Certificate of Qualification and Refrigeration Plant Operator Licence (First Class) to work as a chief plant operator, shift plant operator or assistant shift plant operator for any class of refrigeration plant. Work is provincially regulated under the Power Engineers Regulations. As part of the certification process, you need to successfully complete a certificate of training through an approved training provider.
You need to have a Refrigeration Plant Operator Licence (Second Class) before you can apply for first class certification.
Second class refrigeration plant operator
You need a Certificate of Qualification and Refrigeration Plant Operator Licence (Second Class) to work as a:
- chief plant operator for a second class refrigeration plant
- shift plant operator or assistant shift plant operator for any class of refrigeration plant
Work is provincially regulated under the Power Engineers Regulations. As part of the certification process, you need to successfully complete a certificate of training through an approved training provider.
Compressor plant operator
You need a Certificate of Qualification and Compressor Plant Operator Licence to work as a chief plant operator, shift plant operator or assistant shift plant operator.
Work is provincially regulated under the Power Engineers Regulations. As part of the certification process, you need to successfully complete a certificate of training through an approved training provider.
Application process
Once you meet all the requirements for the certification process, you can apply for a Certificate of Qualification and Power Engineer Licence.
You can apply for a Certificate of Qualification and Power Engineer Licence for the power engineer certificate of qualification you want.
Application form: Application for Certificate of Qualification (Examination or Certification) (PDF)
Exams
All applications are assessed for approval to challenge the exams. Your application needs to be received on or before the deadline (late applications are not accepted).
You need to send your completed application form to Technical Safety. Include your preferred exam dates on your form (you can find the exam dates in the Exam Schedule). The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency provides the exam dates, but you still need to apply through Technical Safety.
Application for Certificate of Qualification (Examination or Certification) (PDF)Application for a Rewrite Examination (PDF)
Exam Guide - Refrigeration Plant Examination Candidates (PDF)
Exam Reference Syllabus - First Class Refrigerator Plants Certificate Examination (PDF)
Exam Reference Syllabus - Second Class Refrigerator Plants (Standardized or Provincial) Certificate Examination (PDF)
Exam Schedule (PDF)
Recognition of international credentials
Applicants from outside Canada may need to complete a prior learning assessment if they don't meet the education requirements. They may also need to have their credentials verified by an evaluation agency.
Transfer of qualification
You can apply to transfer your credentials from another Canadian jurisdiction if you have a Certificate of Qualification that's equivalent to the classification level you want to transfer to. You may need to have your credentials recognized and provide documentation issued by the jurisdiction you're transferring from.
Application form: Application for Transfer of Certification (PDF)
Application review process
It should take 2 weeks for the Power Engineers Section to review your application. International and transfer applications can take up to 5 weeks to review. It can take longer if more information is needed or if your form hasn't been filled in correctly.
If your application is approved, you receive your licence by mail. International and transfer applicants receive a licence by mail.
Expired licence appeal process
If your licence is expired, you may renew by submitting a renewal application and the renewal fee.
For power engineer licences, you can submit payment for an expired licence up to 4 years from your current expiry. After 4 years, you need to contact Technical Safety to find out how you can pay for an expired licence and if you need to complete additional requirements.
Minor Variance Application (PDF)
Fees
| Activity | Fee |
|---|---|
| Power Exam (per paper) | $39.80 |
| Re-write exam (per paper) | $39.80 |
| Certificate of Qualification and Power Engineer Licence | $132.70 |
| Certificate of Qualification and Refrigeration Plant Operator Licence | $132.70 |
| Certificate of Qualification and Compressor Plant Operator Licence | $132.70 |
| Certificate of Qualification and Power Engineer Licence | $132.70 |
| Licence renewal | $66.35 |
| Copy of Certificate of Qualification | $33.20 |
| Copy of Power Engineer Licence | $33.20 |
| Transfer | $66.35 |
Renewal
A Certificate of Qualification is issued once and doesn't expire. You need to renew your licence every year. You should get a renewal notice by mail before the renewal date. It's your responsibility to renew on time.
Businesses (plants)
If you operate a boiler, refrigeration or compressor plant, you need to register to determine the size of plan, and the corresponding staffing requirements for power engineers.
Application form: Form 1 - Application for Registration of a Plant (PDF)
Application form: Form 1A - Application to Operate A Guarded Plant Under Minimum or Periodic Supervision (PDF)
Application form: Form 1B - Organizational Chart (PDF)
Fees
| Activity | Fee |
|---|---|
| Registration application | $193.25 |
| Registration renewal | $96.60 |
Renewal
You need to renew your registration every year. You should get a renewal notice by mail before the renewal date. It's your responsibility to renew on time.
Inspections
As a condition of your registration, an inspector from the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration can conduct an inspection at any time.
Safety notifications
Safety Alert: imminent danger to a safety issue, that if not addressed will likely lead to health and safety consequences.
Safety Bulletin: non-imminent danger practices or procedures, which may have a level of safety risk if not addressed as soon as possible.
Safety Directive: an interpretation or application of the act, regulations or standards of the regulation, which require action. A Directive is legally binding and must be followed by the affected parties.
Safety Notice: informative, non urgent, proactive communication on safety issue.
- Safety Bulletin - Technical Safety Standards Regulations – Adoption of Updated Power Engineering Codes (PDF) | Bulletin de sécurité - Règlement sur les normes de sécurité technique - Adoption des codes mis à jour de technique des centrales électriques (PDF)
- 2022-01-17 – Directive – Practical Experience Requirement (PDF) | 2022-01-17 – Directive – Practical Experience Requirement: French (PDF)
- Notice for Examination Candidates Writing the 2nd Class Part B Paper 1 (2B1) Power Engineering Certification Examination (PDF)