Anyone who wants to install, alter or remove petroleum storage tank systems regulated under the Petroleum Management Regulations in Nova Scotia. Note: Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (NSECC; also “the Department”) issues three classes of Petroleum Storage Tank (PST) Installer Certificates of Qualification:

Class 1 - A Class One Petroleum Installer's Certificate is required to install or alter petroleum storage tank systems at bulk plants, service stations and motive fuel dispensing outlets. A Class One Installer must have taken and passed with a minimum mark of 70% a training program and examination that is acceptable to the Department and must have a minimum of one year’s experience installing or altering petroleum storage tank systems under the supervision of a Class One Installer. A Class One Certificate also meets the requirements for a Class Two and a Class Three Certificate.

Class 2 - A Class Two Petroleum Installer's Certificate restricts an Installer to heating and emergency generator fuel installations and petroleum storage system removals. A Class Two Installer must have taken and passed with a minimum mark of 70% a training program and examination that is acceptable to the Department. There is no specified experience requirement. A Class Two certificate also meets the requirements of a Class Three Certificate.

Class 3 - A Class Three Petroleum Installer's Certificate permits an Installer only to remove petroleum storage systems. There is no specified experience requirement.

Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change
Compliance Division

Any Regional or District Office of Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change.

For further information on the 5-day remover or 10-day installers Petroleum Storage Tank System Installer Training Course or the NS Petroleum Installers Challenge Examination, contact:

Workforce Development
NSCC
coned@nscc.ca

What are the steps for new applicants to become certified?

1. Individuals must participate in and pass the PST Installers Training Course (5-day remover/10-day installation and removal) delivered by the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC). (Note: NSCC staff will pre-screen applicants based on the Department's requirements for certification.)
   
   NSCC offers a 5-day course (for removal only) and a 10-day course (for installation and removal). The courses are offered at a scheduled time online with an instructor. Courses include a final exam which must be passed with a mark of at least 70%.
   
   Note: At the present time, this is the only Nova Scotia-based PST installer training course that is recognized by the Department.
   
   
2. The NSCC then provides a list of successful candidates of both the 5-day and the 10-day course to the Department.
3. The Department will then forward a registration application to these graduates.
   
   • Online application
   • Paper application
     
4. Applicants who wish to receive a certificate of qualification from the Department must then fill out the application form and include the following information in order for it to be considered complete: (Note: The applicant must clearly indicate what certification class they are applying for)
1. Work Experience
2. Reference Letter from current or recent employer associated with petroleum storage tank system installation or removal
   • For Class 1 certificate, confirm that the applicant has worked with the certified installer on petroleum storage system installations for at least one year. Confirm that the applicant has demonstrated a good knowledge of the Petroleum Management Regulations; the departmental Standard, and accepted construction industry practice. Confirm that the applicant has demonstrated competence in pipe fitting, has good mechanical skills and is competent to do the work.
   • For Class 2 certificate, confirm that the person applying to be certified has demonstrated a good knowledge of accepted construction industry practice, has demonstrated competence in pipe fitting, has good mechanical skills and is competent to do the work.
   • For Class 3 certificate, confirm the applicant's construction work is known to this person, that the applicant has good construction knowledge and is competent to do the work.
3. Logbook (required for applicants for Class One certificates to confirm a minimum of one year’s supervised experience; includes specific projects, dates and signature(s) and registration number(s) from Class One Installer(s) who has supervised this individual)
5. Administrative staff from the department's Compliance Division will then evaluate the application package. If all requirements are met and the application is approved, a PST Installers Certificate will be sent to the applicant by mail.
6. If information is missing or unclear, a staff person will contact the applicant by email or phone and request additional details.
7. Subject to s.8, if the applicant is unwilling or unable to provide additional information required to process the application, the Department may reject the application. In the case the application is rejected by the Administrator, the decision shall be in writing providing the reasons for the rejection. The applicant may appeal this decision under Section 137 of the Environment Act, which reads; a person who is aggrieved by a decision of an Administrator may appeal that decision to the Minister of Environment within 30 days of the date of the decision letter. The appeal must be submitted on the Notice of Appeal Form accessible at the following website address: http://novascotia.ca/nse/resources/permits.asp
8. If the documentation that must accompany an application cannot be obtained for reasons beyond the applicant’s control, the applicant should contact Petroleum.Management@novascotia.ca and provide technical reasons why the information cannot be obtained. Examples may include former employers unwilling or unable to provide references or listing of required experience or loss of copy of course graduation information. This may require the program lead to contact former employers or project sites that will only be done with the signed consent of the applicant in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPOP). If the program technical lead decides that the applicant has met the criteria for the installer class being applied for, the recommendation for approval will be sent to the administrative staff for consideration. If the program technical lead decides that there is insufficient information to support the applicant’s preferred installer class, the technical lead may recommend that the applicant be considered for a reduced class of installer or denied certification. Any reduction of certification class or denial of certification by a decision of an Administrator may appeal that decision to the Minister of Environment within 30 days of the date of the decision letter. The appeal must be submitted on the Notice of Appeal Form accessible at the following website address: http://novascotia.ca/nse/resources/permits.asp
9. Persons who require specific accommodations in order to complete the application process can email Petroleum.Management@novascotia.ca.

What are the steps for applicants who hold an equivalent certification from a Canadian regulatory body to become certified?

Individuals must submit a request in writing to Petroleum.Management@novascotia.ca to obtain certification.

1. Must submit the following information for a decision to be made:
1. Copy of current, unexpired equivalent Certificate of Qualification as a petroleum installer issued by a regulatory body of a Canadian jurisdiction.
2. Evidence the person is in good standing with the relevant regulatory body of the Canadian jurisdiction and that there are no outstanding complaints against the person in the reciprocating jurisdiction.
2. Evidence the person holds professional liability insurance satisfactory to the regulatory body may also be required.
3. The Department will review the submitted information and make a decision on the request.
1. Equivalency of the certification will be assessed by the Department considering scope of practice, training and experience requirements.
2. If differences exist between the certification in the Canadian jurisdiction and the certification in Nova Scotia, restrictions may be applied to the certification.
4. If the request is approved, submit an application to the Department.
• Online application
• Paper Application
5. Additional information on the application process can be found in steps 5-9 in "What are the steps for new applicants to become certified?".
6. If the request is denied, individuals may take the following steps:
1. Request permission to write the Petroleum Installers Challenge Examination. The request will be reviewed considering whether the individual attended training that is similar in length and scope to the NSCC PST Installers Training Course.
2. If the request is approved, write the Petroleum Installers Challenge Examination with a minimum pass mark of 70%.
3. Submit an application according to steps 3-9 above in "What are the steps for new applicants to become certified?".
7. Note: Class 1 certificates require a minimum of 1 year of experience under the supervision of a petroleum installer who holds a certificate that is equivalent to a Class 1 certification. Equivalency of the supervision certification will be assessed by the department considering scope of practice, training and experience requirements.

What are the steps for international applicants to become certified?

Individuals must submit a request in writing to Petroleum.Management@novascotia.ca to complete the Petroleum Installers Challenge Examination for the level of certification being sought.

1. The applicant will be required to enclose official transcripts and proof of successful completion and/or certificates for an equivalent level of certification from their home jurisdiction and include a Confirmation of Qualification from the certifying body in their home jurisdiction.
1. Note: Equivalency of the certification/qualification will be assessed by the department considering scope of practice, training and experience requirements.
2. If the request to challenge the exam is approved, write the Petroleum Installers Challenge Examination with a minimum pass mark of 70%.
3. Submit an application to the Department according to steps 4-9 in "What are the steps for new applicants to become certified?".

Note: Class 1 certificates require a minimum of 1 year of experience under the supervision of a petroleum installer who holds a certificate that is equivalent to a Class 1 certification. Equivalency of the supervision certification will be assessed by the department considering scope of practice, training and experience requirements.