Watercourse Alteration Certificate of Qualification

Any person who chooses the size of watercourse crossings (e.g. a culvert) must hold a Watercourse Alteration Sizer certificate or be a professional engineer.

Any person who installs or constructs watercourse alterations must hold a Watercourse Alteration Installer certificate.

To begin the registration process, an applicant must provide their name, a valid email address, a phone number, and a mailing address to the course providers. Experience with culvert and bridge installation is an asset but is not required to write the exam.

Steps to Apply for a Certificate of Qualification as a Watercourse Alteration Sizer and Installer

1. ECC delegated the Maritime College of Forest Technology's Department of Continuing Education (MCFT) to be the sole provider of the Sizer and Installer Certified Training. Registration information is available on the Maritime College of Forest Technology website: Maritime College of Forest Technology | Continuing Education
2. ECC does not charge applicants for this certification. However, the MCFT administers this course and exam with a certain cost. Refer to the MCFT website for current course fees.
3. MCFT will provide a personal information form to be filled by the applicants during the course. Information collected by this form will be submitted to ECC by the end of the course.
4. Near the end of the course, applicants will write an open‑book examination. MCFT will submit the examination results to ECC's Watercourse Alteration Program. Applicants must achieve a passing grade to qualify for certification.
5. Within approximately eight weeks of the examination date, ECC will issue a digital certificate of qualification to successful applicants. A hard copy may be provided upon request.
6. Applicants who choose to be included on the public registry will receive an email to confirm their information.

For information about previous records, applicants may contact the Watercourse Alteration Program through this email: wca@novascotia.ca

Requests for accommodation can be made by contacting NSECC.

More information on the Accommodation Policy at Environment and Climate Change.

If an Administrator denies certification, you may appeal the 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

Applicants seeking recognition for an equivalent certification from another Canadian jurisdiction shall contact the Watercourse Alteration Program through this email: wca@novascotia.ca

Applicants must provide documents that allow the Department to confirm their certification status, standing, and history in the reciprocating jurisdiction.

Once all information has been received the Department will provide a response within 10 days.