WorkSafeBC Asbestos Certification Program

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.

Who needs a certificate?

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:

• Identifying material that is or may be asbestos-containing material
• Collecting samples of material that is or may be asbestos-containing material
• Assessing the risk posed by material that is or may be asbestos-containing material
• Assessing the risk posed by working with or near material that is or may be asbestos-containing material
• Removing, repairing, transporting, or disposing of material that is or may be asbestos-containing material
• Planning or supervising any of the above activities

The level of certification you need depends on the type of asbestos work you will be doing.

Levels, scope of practice, and prerequisites

Level 1 - Foundational Awareness

Scope of practice

• Transport asbestos-containing materials
• Dispose of asbestos-containing waste

Prerequisites
None

Level 2 - Asbestos Safety

Scope of practice

• Perform abatement work

Prerequisites
Level1(unless the course combines both levels)

Level 3 - Asbestos Safety Leader

Scope of practice

• Level1 and Level 2 scope of practice
• Plan, oversee, and manage asbestos abatement sites

Prerequisites
Level 2

Level S - Surveyor Safety

Scope of practice

• Perform asbestos surveys

Prerequisites
Level1(unless the course combines both levels)