The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) sets standards and administers the policies, procedures and processes for certifying occupations regulated under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000, and Ontario Regulation 222/01: Boilers and Pressure Vessels. As part of its mandate to regulate boilers and pressure vessels (BPVs) in Ontario and ensure public safety and compliance with technical standards, TSSA certifies BPV inspectors to work for Authorized Inspection Agencies (AIAs) in Ontario.
Certificate of Competency (COC)
A Certificate of Competency issued by TSSA certifies that an individual is authorized to work as a BPV inspector with an AIA in Ontario. To earn a COC, the individual must meet the education and experience requirements outlined in Ontario Regulation 220/01: Boilers and Pressure Vessels and Code Adoption Document. They must also pass TSSA’s COC exam, which assesses their knowledge of applicable codes, standards, and safety practices.
Certification and Examination
The following criteria must be met for certification as a BPV inspector in Ontario:
- Fulfill the education and experience requirements set out in Ontario Regulation 222/01: Boilers and Pressure Vessels
- Pass an exam administered by the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (NBBI)
- Pass TSSA’s Certificate of Competency exam:
Candidates must apply for a COC exam on TSSA’s Client Portal. While applicants do not need to meet NBBI exam requirements before writing TSSA’s COC exam, they must have an in-service commission before a COC can be issued.
For information on the welder and brazer certification, visit the Welding or Brazing Procedure & Personnel Qualification page.
Certificate Renewal
BPV inspectors are professionals employed or contracted by AIAs to conduct inspections of BPVs. AIAs are responsible for renewing the COCs of the BPV inspectors they hire. It is essential to hold a valid COC, which indicates that an individual is authorized to inspect BPVs in Ontario.
To avoid incurring the late renewal fee, certificate holders must renew their COCs before they expire on March 1 of each year. Sixty days before a COC expires, TSSA will send a renewal invoice with a letter listing the following prerequisites that AIAs need to submit along with the renewal fee on behalf of the COC holder:
- Confirmation of employment by an authorized inspection agency
- A copy of a valid and current National Board Inservice Commission Card (Please ensure the “employer” listed on the National Board Commission card is your current employer)
- A copy of your employer's valid Certificate of Authorization as an Inservice Inspection Agency issued by the National Board
If AIAs did not receive the invoice, please log in to the TSSA Client Portal to access and pay the invoice.
Certificate Reinstatement
Holders of a Certificate of Competency must apply for recertification if they do not renew their certificates within 12 months of the expiry date. To reinstate a COC, please visit the Client Portal and submit the following:
- Confirmation of employment by an authorized inspection agency
- A copy of a valid and current National Board Inservice Commission Card (Please ensure the “employer” listed on the National Board Commission card is your current employer)
- Proof of education (certificates, diplomas, or degrees, etc.)
- A current resume
- Payment of the COC reinstatement fee as per the Fee Schedule
Applicants who follow the above procedures can expect a response from TSSA within 15 business days.