Electrical Work Practitioners
ASTTBC members will be eligible to seek certification through the Association to perform regulated electrical work within a limited scope.Â
Members of ASTTBC in the Electrical, Electronic and Biomedical disciplines, and certain registrants in Fire Protection, are affected by this initiative.
The BC Safety Authority has approved in principle the initiative. A June 7, 2011 letter from Provincial Electrical Safety Manager, Stephen Hinde, PEng, to Executive Director, John Leech, AScT, CAE, sets out BCSA’s endorsement. Mr. Hinde acknowledges that training certified by ASTTBC meets BCSA requirements as set out in s. 4(1) (b) of the BC Electrical Safety Regulation.
BCSA has authorized in principle ASTTBC to issue three 'Limited Certificates to Perform Specified Electrical Work'. These will allow members to work on existing approved electrical equipment and systems based on the following limits within specified limitations:
- Certificate EL1: Not to exceed 250 Vac, 200 A, 3 ph, or 300 Vdc, 4500 W
- Certificate EL2: Not to exceed 250 Vac, 30 A, 3 ph, or 150 Vdc, 2500 W
- Certificate FP1: Not to exceed 150 Vac, 15A, 1 ph
Members will not be able to act as electrical contractors or obtain electrical permits under this initiative, but will be required to perform work under the auspices of a suitable permit. However, existing regulations allow ASTTBC Registered Applied Science Technologists, in the electrical discipline, to obtain Field Safety Representative (FSR) status.
The safety of the public is the foremost consideration for recognition of certain members and registrants to perform regulated electrical work within a limited scope.  To qualify, all eligible members will generally need to demonstrate their technical competency to practice within a limited area of electrical work. Additional requirements for certification include:
- Documented training in the current edition of the Canadian Electrical Code;
- Understanding of CSA Z462-08 - Workplace electrical safety;
- Knowledge of Part 19 of the WorkSafeBC OH&S regulations.
Continuing professional development, practice audits and other appropriate regulatory requirements will also be part of the overall program.
The program will ensure that members who perform regulated electrical work within this limited scope are qualified, recognized and accountable.  In developing and implementing the program, ASTTBC will ensure the highest standards for professional certification, registration and accountability.
An ‘implementation advisory committee’ was appointed to assist ASTTBC and the BCSA to implement this partnership in safety on behalf of the BC community. Â Â
On September 29, 2011, ASTTBC Council approved in principle required changes to the ASTT Regulations and a draft certification policy based on the outcome of the implementation committee’s work and feedback from affected members based on an August 2011 survey.
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ - Electrical Work Practitioner
Electrical Work Practitioner - ASTTBC Council Reports(September 29th 2011)
BCSA Stakeholder Engagement session
Update May 11 2012 Certification Policy Draft 3
Members of ASTTBC and the public are encouraged to review the above documentation and provide comments and feedback.
Please direct all inquiries to techinfo@asttbc.org
