Fuel safety: classifications and licence requirements
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Fuel safety technicians, operators and businesses need to be licensed under the Technical Safety Act and Fuel Safety Regulations to work with propane, natural gas, landfill gas, digester gas and fuel oil.
Classification levels (certificate and licence)
| Licence | Classification | Certificate | Authorized activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas Operator Licence | Class B | Certificate of Competency | Operate a bulk propane plant |
| Gas Operator Licence | Class C | Certificate of Competency | Transport propane in portable containers |
| Gas Operator Licence | Class D | Certificate of Competency | Operate a tank truck transporting propane |
| Gas Operator Licence | Class E | Certificate of Competency | Operate a cargo liner transporting propane |
| Gas Operator Licence | Class F | Certificate of Competency | Operate a propane dispensing unit |
| Gas Operator Licence | Class G | Certificate of Competency | Install, repair, service or maintain a gas appliance, container or piping system as permitted by sub-class |
| Gas Operator Licence | Class G - Subclass 1 (G-1) | Certificate of Competency | Install, repair, service or maintain propane systems for recreational vehicles and mobile homes (manufactured homes) |
| Gas Operator Licence | Class G - Subclass 2 (G-2) | Certificate of Competency | Install, repair, service or maintain propane-fired construction heaters and portable cylinders (excluding supply tanks and building piping) |
| Gas Operator Licence | Class G - Subclass 3 (G-3) | Certificate of Competency | Repair, service or maintain propane-fired domestic barbeque grills |
| Gas Operator Licence | Class G - Subclass 4 (G-4) | Certificate of Competency | Repair, service or maintain industrial in-house gas-fired appliances and equipment at the location designated on the certificate (excluding install and changes to systems) |
| Gas Operator Licence | Class G - Subclass 5 (G-5) | Certificate of Competency | Repair, service or maintain systems where liquid propane is used as a motive fuel to power off-highway vehicles (including converting systems) |
| Gas Operator Licence | Class G - Subclass 6 (G-6) | Certificate of Competency | Install, repair, service or maintain systems where natural gas is used as a motive fuel to power off-highway vehicles (including converting systems) |
| Gas Operator Licence | Class G - Subclass 7 (G-7) | Certificate of Competency | Install uncharged gas piping systems of any size from the outlet of the meter or second stage regulator to the last shut-off valve (including the burner manifold) |
| Gas Technician Licence I | Certificate of Competency | Install and service gas equipment (vapour phase only) of any btu rating | |
| Gas Technician Licence II | Certificate of Competency | Install and service gas equipment (vapour phase only) of a btu rating of 400,000 or less | |
| Gas Technician Licence I (Liquid Propane) | Certificate of Competency | Install and service gas equipment (vapour or liquid propane) of any btu rating | |
| Gas Technician Licence II (Liquid Propane) | Certificate of Competency | Install and service gas equipment (vapour or liquid propane) of a btu rating of 400,000 or less | |
| Oil Burner Technician Licence | Certificate of Competency | Install and service oil burning appliances and equipment that use a grade of oil up to and including grade 2 oil, waste oil or bio-fuels | |
| Gas Business Licence | Class 1 (Gas Distribution) |
Distribute propane in bulk or in cylinders not including the retail sale or exchange of cylinders of 20 lbs (9 kg) propane capacity or less Operate a propane bulk plant or propane container refill centre Operate a propane dispensing unit for the purpose of filling portable cash and carry type cylinders and motive fuel or recreational vehicle containers permanently mounted on vehicle |
|
| Gas Business Licence | Class 2 (Contractor) |
Transport, for the purpose of making installations, propane by means of approved containers Install gas equipment and gas piping systems Repair, service and maintain appliances, containers, gas equipment and gas piping systems |
|
| Gas Business Licence | Class 2A (Contractor) |
Perform any of the activities listed in Section 49 for a Class 2 Contractor Gas Business Licence Attach single-signature green tags on installations that have been granted a gas registration |
|
| Gas Business Licence | Class 3 (Industrial) |
Repair, service and maintain industrial gas-fired equipment on the premises of the licence holder Repair, service and maintain propane motive fuel systems on off-highway vehicles operated by the licence holder Operate a dispensing unit for the purpose of filling cylinders used only by the licence holder Perform regulated work only at the location specified on their licence |
|
| Gas Business Licence | Class 4 | Operate natural gas dispensing station of any size |
Gas operators
You need a Certificate of Competency and Gas Operator Licence to work as a gas operator. Work is provincially regulated under the Fuel Safety Regulations (Section 66). As part of the certification process, you need to successfully complete a certificate of training through an approved training provider.
Approved Training Programs (PDF)
Gas technicians
You need a Gas Technician Licence (I or II) to work as a gas technician. Work is provincially regulated under the Fuel Safety Regulations (Section 53). As part of the certification process, you need to successfully complete the Gas Fitter Red Seal Apprenticeship Program through the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency.
Oil burner technicians
You need an Oil Burner Technician Licence to work as an oil burner technician. Work is provincially regulated under the Fuel Safety Regulations (Section 88). As part of the certification process, you need to successfully complete the Oil Heat Systems Technician Apprenticeship Program through the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency.
Application process
Once you meet all the requirements for the certification process, you can apply for a licence. You can apply for a Gas Technician Licence (with or without a liquid propane endorsement).
Application form: Application for Gas Operator Licence, Gas Technician Licence and Oil Burner Technician Licence (PDF)
Endorsements
You can apply for a liquid propane endorsement on a Gas Technician Licence to work with liquid propane.
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 Competency 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 review process
It should take 2 weeks for the Fuel Safety 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 gas operator 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.
For gas technician and oil burner technician licences, you can submit payment for an expired licence up to 2 years from your current expiry. After 2 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.
Fees
| Gas Operator Licence (Class B, C, D, E, F, G1-7) | $126.00 |
| Gas Operator Licence renewal (Class B, C, D, E, F, G1-7) | $159.30 |
| Gas Technician Licence | $33.20 |
| Gas Technician Licence renewal | $99.60 |
| Gas Business Licence (Class 1A, 1B, 1C, 2, 3, 4) | $398.10 |
| Gas Business Licence (Class 2A) | $265.45 |
| Oil Burner Technician Licence | $33.20 |
| Oil Burner Technician Licence renewal | $99.60 |
The fee for the Fuel Safety Business Licence (Class 1A) is $0.0528 x 3/USWG (aggregate storage capacity). There’s a $398.10 minimum fee.
Renewal
A Certificate of Competency is issued once and doesn't expire. You need to renew your licence every 1 to 3 years, depending on the type of licence. 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 licence, an inspector from the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration can conduct an inspection at any time.
Businesses (owners)
You need a Gas Business Licence to perform or employ a person to perform regulated work, including:
- operating a fuel storage or distribution business
- operating a business install, repair, service or maintain gas appliances, containers, equipment or piping systems
- operating a natural gas vehicle refueling station business or a natural gas cylinder filling station business
- perform work described in the Fuel Safety Regulations
You need to have a Gas Permit or file a Gas Registration before you start each gas installation or alteration. You also need to also need to follow safety requirements in the Technical Safety Act and Fuel Safety Regulations.
Application form: Application for Gas Business Licence (PDF)
Application form: Gas Permit and Gas Registration (PDF)
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.
View a complete list of fuel safety notifications.