Alberta Contractor License Requirements

In Alberta, a contractors license is needed to do renovations in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat. This includes kitchen and bathroom renovation contractors.

There are two types of regulated trades in Alberta: Qualification Trades and Proficiency Trades. To be able to work in a Proficiency Trade a worker must either be a registered apprentice with the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) in that trade or have a Proficiency Certificate. However, workers can be employed in a Qualification Trade without being registered apprentices or holding Qualification Certificates if they have two to five years of work experience under a journeyman and are paid a journeymen's wage.

After an apprentice has successfully finished his or her qualifying courses and employment the apprentice officially becomes a journeyman with either a Proficiency Certificate or a Qualification Certificate (also known as a "ticket"). Certification can also be obtained by qualifying for the Interprovincial Red Seal. This designation means the person’s trade qualifications are recognized throughout Canada.

For contractors from outside Alberta be eligible to work there a worker must have successfully completed a Qualification Certificate Program that is up to standards with the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT).

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic

Persons employed in this trade must hold a Certification of Qualification (C of Q) or be a Registered Apprentice. The trade of refrigeration and air conditioning deals with any type of primary or secondary systems not including duct work and sheet metal items associated with the system. The work of a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics is to install, repair, maintain and rebuild residential, commercial and industrial refrigeration and air conditioning systems and their designated components.
 
Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics work in accordance with the Safety Codes Act and can install heating and cooling units, appliances and accessories designed for natural or propane gas that do not exceed 400,000 btuh (117 kW) input.

Sheet Metal Worker

To work with sheet metal a worker must hold a Certification of Qualification or be a Registered Apprentice. Sheet metal workers are involved with the design, manufacture, assembling, handling, installing and/or dismantling of sheet metal for metal products and equipment such as fans, furnaces, and ventilation devices for residential, commercial and industrial building. This would include the ductwork for a kitchen renovation. Sheet metal workers must abide by the Safety Codes. This C of Q, however, does not include the electrical circuits with this equipment.

Plumber

A plumber must hold a Certification of Qualification or be a Registered Apprentice. Plumbers work on pipe systems including liquid heating, compressed-gas, fuel gas and residential appliances. I also includes the installation and maintenance of hydronic boilers and control systems for residential, commercial and industrial systems. Plumbers must be utilized for the water and drainage systems in both kitchen and bathroom renovations.

Electrician

Electricians in Alberta trade must hold a Certification of Qualification or be a Registered Apprentice. This allows them to work in any type of residential, commercial, governmental or industrial building where they install wiring, control panels lighting and other control systems. An electrician is also to be used for structural electrical system and control systems and associated wiring for electrical appliances, electrical heating, solar heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

Gas Fitter

Gasfitters install, test and service natural gas and propane equipment. This includes residential furnaces, industrial boilers and household and commercial gas hook-ups. Kitchen renovations requiring gas lines must have a gas fitter to install the applicants and gaslines. Gas fitters in Alberta do not require licensing (as in some provinces) therefore there is no interprovincial "Red Seal" for this trade. However all gas-fitters in Alberta must hold a Certification of Qualification or be a Registered Apprentice.

Gasfitter 1st Class: This classification allows the gas fitter to on all residential, commercial or industrial gas systems including any gas appliances. There is no gas appliance's btuh rating cap for this position.

Gasfitter 2nd Class: A gas fitter with this classification may work on any kind of residential, commercial or industrial gas system, including any gas appliance, up to and including a rating of 400,000 btuh.