Technical Safety BC oversees regulated work in British Columbia, including electrical, gas, and other technologies to help support public safety and a qualified, trusted industry. As part of this role, we monitor advertising for regulated services to ensure businesses offering this work meet licensing requirements.
If your business is identified as unlicensed in our system, this may be due to a range of reasons. In some cases, it relates to registration or record issues that can be corrected once identified. In other cases, it may indicate that a required contractor licence has not yet been obtained. The information below outlines common reasons this may occur and what steps to take if any of these situations apply to you.
I’m advertising under a different business name
If the business name you are advertising under does not match the name registered with Technical Safety BC, your business may appear unlicensed. This includes using a trade name, operating name, or a shortened version of your registered name that is not listed on your licence.
To confirm how your business name appears in our system and to check your current licence status, use our Find a Licensed Contractor lookup tool.
What to do:
Contact Technical Safety BC to confirm or update the business name associated with your licence.
I have a business licence, but not a Technical Safety BC licence
Registering a business with the province or holding a municipal business licence does not authorize you to perform or advertise regulated work.
Contractor licences for regulated work are issued by Technical Safety BC and are required in addition to business registration. Technical Safety BC electrical contractor licence numbers begin with LEL or LIC, followed by a 7-digital number.
What to do:
Apply for a contractor licence through Technical Safety BC before advertising or performing regulated work.
I have a certificate of qualification, but not a contractor licence
A certificate of qualification confirms that an individual is qualified to perform regulated work. However, certification alone does not authorize a business to advertise, contract, and take responsibility for regulated work in British Columbia.
Under provincial safety requirements, regulated work must be performed by, or under the responsibility of, a licensed contractor. A contractor licence issued by Technical Safety BC is required for these activities. Electrical contractor licences begin with LEL or LIC, followed by a 7-digit number. However, certification alone does not authorize a business to advertise, contract, and take responsibility for regulated work in British Columbia.
A contractor licence issued by Technical Safety BC is required for these activities. Electrical contractor licences begin with LEL or LIC, followed by a 7-digit number.
It’s important to note that certifications or licences issued by other jurisdictions may use similar terminology but do not replace the requirement for a Technical Safety BC contractor licence.
What to do:
If you hold a certificate of qualification but do not have a contractor licence, you must apply for a contractor licence or ensure that any advertised work is performed under a properly licensed contractor.
Need Help or Next Steps
If any of the situations above apply to you, or if you are unsure of your licensing status, please contact us as soon as possible. Our team can help confirm your status, update your records, or guide you through the licensing process.
Taking action early can help you avoid enforcement action, protect your business reputation, and ensure you are meeting your legal obligations when advertising or performing regulated work in British Columbia.
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