Anyone who wants to install, alter or remove petroleum storage tank systems (regulated under the Petroleum Management Regulations  Regulations - Environment - Petroleum Management (novascotia.ca) ) 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 One 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
Inspection, Compliance and Enforcement (ICE) Division

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

Or

Bedford Regional Office
Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change

Phone: 902-424-7773
Fax: 902-424-0597
email: ICE@novascotia.ca

Office Location and Mailing Address:
Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change
Bedford Regional Office
30 Damascus Road, Suite 115
Bedford Commons
Bedford, NS  B4A 0C1

What is the Certification process within Nova Scotia?

The process is a two stage process - individuals first must successfully complete a Department recognized PST Installer Training Course and then apply to Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (NS ECC) to be certified as a PST Installer.

1. Individuals must participate in and pass the PST Installers Training Course (4-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 both a 4-day course (for removal only) and a 10-day course (for installation and removal). The courses may be offered online (scheduled) or in person at either the Lunenburg or Pictou campuses. (Please see contact information, above.) 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 4-day and the 10-day course to the Department.
3. The Department will then forward a Certified Tank System Installer Registration Application to these graduates.
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
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 ICE 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 the program technical lead at Brent.Baxter@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.