New provincial requirements regarding mandatory training and licensing for asbestos abatement work came into effect on January 1, 2024. This means that all asbestos abatement contractors must now be licensed to operate in British Columbia, and anyone performing asbestos abatement work, including surveyors and/or persons transporting and disposing waste, must now be trained and certified.
If you do asbestos abatement work in relation to buildings, you need a certificate. Asbestos abatement work means doing any of the following activities for the purpose of the abatement of asbestos in relation to a building:
The level of certification you need depends on the type of asbestos work you will be doing.
Level 1 certification is for anyone transporting and/or disposing of asbestos-containing waste.
Training programs for this level must cover the Core competencies for Level 1 certification.
Level 2 certification is for anyone conducting asbestos abatement work in relation to a building. Level 1 is a prerequisite for Level 2, although the training program may combine both levels.
Training programs for this level must cover the Core competencies for Level 2 certification.
Assessment for this level includes both a certification exam and a practical skills test. The Level 2 practical skills test guide provides suggestions for the design and implementation of this testing component.
Level 3 certification is for supervisors and others responsible for health and safety at asbestos abatement worksites. Anyone wishing to be Level 3 certified must first complete Level 2 certification.
Training programs for this level must cover the Core competencies for Level 3 certification.
Level S certification is for asbestos surveyors.
Training programs for this level must cover the Core competencies for Level S certification.