The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) administers the certification of occupations regulated under the Technical Safety and Standards Act, 2000. TSSA provides certification services to Fuels Safety technicians in Ontario to perform regulated work, such as installing, maintaining, and altering equipment, devices, or systems in the Fuels industry. All certificates issued by TSSA come with certain training and/or practical experience requirements.
The following lists the Fuels Safety certifications offered by TSSA. For more detailed information on the prerequisites for specific certificates, see Section 6 of the Gas and Oil Burner Technician Policies and Procedures (pdf).
- Fuels Safety Certifications Offered by TSSA
- G.1 - Gas technician 1
- G.2 - Gas technician 2
- G.3 - Gas technician 3
- GP - Gas Piping Fitter
- LP - Liquid Propane Fitter
- ICE-P - Internal Combustion Alternate Fuel Technician-Propane
- ICE-NG - Internal Combustion Alternate Fuel Technician- Natural Gas
- ICE-IE-P - Internal Combustion Alternate Fuel Technician -Industrial Equipment - Propane
- ICE-IE-NG - Internal Combustion Alternate Fuel Technician -Industrial Equipment – Natural Gas
- DA - Domestic Appliance Technician
- RV.1 - Recreational Vehicles Technician 1
- RV.2 - Recreational Vehicles Technician 2
- IMT - Industrial Maintenance Technician
- GPI - Gas Pipeline Inspector
- RSI-NG - Refuelling Station Installer-Natural Gas
- RST-NG - Refuelling Station Service Technician-Natural Gas
- OBT-1 - Oil Burner Technician 1
- OBT-2 - Oil Burner Technician 2
- OBT-3 - Oil Burner Technician 3
- OPI - Oil Pipeline Inspector
- OP - Oil Pipe Fitter
- CDT - Crop Dryer Technician
- OBAT - Oil Burner Activation Technician
- H2 - Hydrogen Fuel Technician
- GUT-1 - Gas Utility Technician 1
- GUT-2 - Gas Utility Technician 2
- PMH – Petroleum Mechanic Helper
- PM.1 - Petroleum Mechanic 1
- PM.2 - Petroleum Mechanic 2
- PM.3 - Petroleum Mechanic 3
- PM.4 - Petroleum Mechanic 4
- SO - Site Operator
Certification and Examination
Certification requirements are outlined below, whether you are:
- Applying for a certificate
- Renewing a certificate
- Reinstating a certificate that has expired for more than 12 months
- An out-of-province applicant who has completed a training program and has acquired work experience in your home jurisdiction, and would like to apply for an Out-of-Province Certificate Assessment
- Holding a certificate from another province, and would like to apply for an equivalent certificate with TSSA.
Certification Through Attending a Training Program
Applicants seeking Fuels Safety certification must attend a training program provided by accredited training providers that use a TSSA-approved curriculum. Follow the steps below to be certified as a Fuels Safety technician:
Step 1: Attend Classes
Enroll in classes offered by an accredited training provider that follows a TSSA-approved curriculum. Please note that some Fuels certifications require candidates to hold prerequisite certificates before applying for a higher-level certification.
Step 2: Apply for an Exam
After completing the training program, candidates must apply to take the exam via the TSSA Client Portal. Proof of training must be submitted before applying for an exam. Please contact your training provider to confirm they have provided TSSA with your program and practical details.
Practical Extension
A practical assessment refers to the hands-on lab training required for certification as a Fuel Safety Technician. Accredited training providers formally document the practical information and submit it to TSSA to verify that a candidate has demonstrated the necessary competencies in real-world scenarios.
Candidates who wish to extend their practical assessment beyond 12 months after completing a training program should request a formal extension. Before the expiry date, please email certandexams@tssa.org and identify the extenuating circumstances for your request, referencing your work order number. Extensions will be granted on a case-by-case basis. Requests for extension must be submitted directly by the examination candidate, not a third party. Requests for extension received after your practical assessment expires will not be accepted.
Certification Without Attending a Training Program (Challenge an Exam)
Candidates seeking certification can take (or challenge) an exam without undergoing formal training. Exams will be based on theoretical and practical knowledge. A candidate who successfully challenges an exam must also complete a practical skills assessment.
A challenge candidate who has received exam results can submit a request to schedule the practical through the Client Portal.
Prerequisites for Challenging a Certification
Candidates seeking certification without attending a training program may need to obtain prerequisite certificates (if applicable) and must meet the following requirements if a prerequisite is required:
• Hold a valid Certificate of Qualification under Ontario Regulation 215/01
• Have the appropriate prerequisites to apply for a higher-level certificate
Please refer to the following documents for full details on the prerequisite requirements for seeking certification as a Gas or Oil Burner Technician and Petroleum Mechanic through a challenge process:
- O. Reg. 215/01 Fuel Industry Certificates
- Section 7: Gas/Oil Burner Technician Certification Policies and Procedures (pdf)
- Section 5: Petroleum Mechanic Policies and Procedures (pdf)
- Section 9, #2: Industrial Maintenance Technician Policies and Procedures (pdf)
Challenging Certificates that Do Not Require a Prerequisite
Step 1: Submit a challenge request through the TSSA Client Portal
In the ‘Applications section’, select ‘Apply for Examination, Certification or Training Provider Services’ and follow the steps.
Step 2: Pay the certification and exam fees per the respective fee schedules
Challenging Certificates that Require a Prerequisite(s)
Step 1: Submit a challenge request through the TSSA Client Portal
In the ‘Applications section’, select ‘Apply for Examination, Certification or Training Provider Services’ and follow the steps.
Step 2: Attach detailed documentation providing proof of work experience along with your submission
- Include letters from current and/or previous employers on company letterhead, signed by an authorized person of the company, verifying the nature of the work experience. Details must include, but are not limited to, specific periods of experience, the specific types of equipment, and the nature of work performed (furnaces, water heaters or boilers, industrial process equipment, service/installation), and a description of the British Thermal Units per Hour input of all equipment. Include at least six (6) addresses where the work was completed.
- Provide reference letters on company letterheads from individuals who directly supervised your work. Reference letters must include the supervising certificate holder’s name, certificate number, and contact information.
- If verification of work experience cannot be obtained from previous employers or the applicant is self-employed, TSSA may accept a notarized statutory declaration by a Notary Public or Commissioner of Oaths.
Step 3: Pay the challenge assessment, certification, and exam fees per the respective fee schedules
If an applicant needs to complete a practical assessment as part of the approval process, TSSA will issue a separate invoice after the practical assessment is completed.
Applicants who follow the process above can expect a response from TSSA within 20 business days.
Challenge Approval Extension
Candidates who have received approval to take a certification exam without completing formal training and wish to extend a challenge approval beyond 12 months must reach out to the Training and Certification Advisor mentioned in the approval letter. The request to extend a challenge approval must be made before the expiry date. Candidates should reference their work order number and indicate the extenuating circumstances of their request. Extensions will be granted on a case-by-case basis.
Certificate Renewal
A valid certificate indicates that a technician or a contractor is legally authorized to operate in a TSSA-regulated industry. Certificate holders must renew their certificates before they expire. TSSA will send a certificate renewal invoice 60 days before the expiry date. To avoid incurring the late renewal fee, certificate holders must renew their certificates before their expiry.
If you did not receive the invoice, please log in to the TSSA Client Portal to get a copy and pay the invoice.
Renewal Requirements: Internal Combustion Engine - Natural Gas (ICE-NG) and Internal Combustion Engine – Propane (ICE-P)
In addition to the renewal fee, some certificates, such as the ICE-P and ICE-NG, have additional prerequisites that require the certificate holder to provide proof that they hold another certification. ICE-NG and ICE-P certifications issued by TSSA allow certified individuals to work with natural gas and propane fuel systems on vehicles and industrial equipment.
Every renewal cycle, certificate holders of ICE-NG and ICE-P must:
- Pay the renewal invoice before the expiry of their current certificate
- Upload a copy of the Skilled Trades Ontario certificate to the Client Portal. Accepted certificates of qualification include:
- Automotive service technician
- Truck and coach technician
- Heavy-duty equipment mechanic
- Fuel and electrical systems technician, or
- Farm equipment mechanic
A banner will be displayed in the Client Portal 60 days before your certificate expires as a reminder to submit the continuing education certificate.
Certificate Reinstatement
Fuels Safety certificate holders must apply for recertification if they fail to renew their certificate of qualification within 12 months of the expiry date. Reinstatement applicants may need to undergo a written examination, practical evaluation, or both. TSSA assesses all reinstatement applicants individually. For more information on the reinstatement process, see Section 9 of the Gas and Oil Burner Technician Policies and Procedures (pdf) and Section 10 of the Petroleum Mechanic Policies and Procedures (pdf).
How to Reinstate an Expired Fuels Safety Certificate Online:
Step 1: Submit a request through the TSSA Client Portal
In the ‘Applications’ section, select ‘Apply for Examination, Certification or Training Provider Services’ and follow the instructions to submit a reinstatement application.
Step 2: Provide detailed documentation as proof of work experience
• Include letters from current and/or previous employers on company letterheads, signed by an authorized person of the company, verifying the nature of the work experience. Details must include, but are not limited to, specific periods of your experience, the types of equipment and the nature of work performed (that is, furnaces, water heaters or boilers, industrial process equipment, service or installation), and a description of the British Thermal Units per hour input of all equipment. Include a minimum of six (6) addresses where work was completed.
• Include reference letters on company letterhead from the individuals who directly supervised you. Reference letters must include the supervising certificate holder’s name, certificate number, and contact information.
• If verification of work experience cannot be obtained from previous employers or the applicant is the owner or contractor, TSSA may accept a notarized statutory declaration by a Notary Public or Commissioner of Oaths.
Step 3: Pay the reinstatement assessment fees per the respective fee schedule
If an applicant is required to complete a practical assessment, TSSA will issue a separate invoice after completion of the practical assessment.
If a certificate is reinstated without taking an exam, TSSA will retain the exam fee on file as a credit that can be applied to other services, such as future renewals. TSSA will notify customers about the availability of this credit, if applicable.
Applicants who follow the steps above can expect a response from TSSA within 20 business days.
Out-of-Province: Equivalent Certificate
Applying for a certificate from outside Ontario allows an individual within Canada who has been certified for a specific occupation in one province or territory to be recognized for the equivalent certification in another province or territory without undertaking additional training, experience, exam, or assessments. Recognizing matched certification across Canada benefits both workers and employers alike. For more information on recognized out-of-province equivalent certificates and how to apply, visit Out-of-Province Certificate Holders.
Out-of-Province: Applying Without Recognized Equivalency
Out-of-province applicants who have completed a training program(s) and have work experience from their home jurisdiction may apply for an Out-of-Province Certificate Assessment. Please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Submit a request through the Client Portal
Under the ‘Applications’ section, select ‘Apply for Examination, Certification or Training Provider Services’ and follow the steps.
Step 2: Attach detailed documentation providing proof of work experience
Including letters from current and/or previous employers on company letterhead, signed by an authorized person of the company, verifying the nature of the work experience. Details must include, but are not limited to: Specific periods where experience has been gained, identifying the specific types of equipment and the nature of work performed (i.e., furnaces/water heaters/boilers, industrial process equipment, service/installation), describing the Btuh input of all equipment.
Reference letters from the individual(s) for whom you were working under the direct supervision, on company letterhead. Reference letters must include the supervising certificate holder’s name, certificate number, and contact information.
If verification of work experience cannot be obtained from previous employer(s) or the applicant is self-employed, TSSA will review and may accept a Notarized Statutory Declaration (by a Notary Public or Commissioner for Taking Oaths).
Step 3: Training Programs or Courses
Applicants must provide a detailed list of all completed training programs or courses that are relevant to the certification classification they are applying for. Detailed course outlines corresponding to these programs or courses must also be included. Transcripts are mandatory.
Step 4: Confirmation of Out-of-Province Certification
Applicants must submit copies of Out-of-Province Certification as appropriate.
Step 5: Legislation
Applicants must submit copies of the appropriate legislation from their home jurisdiction as they pertains to the scope of the authorization or certification. (Example: Documents from the regulatory authority of your home jurisdiction that define the scope of a Technician’s certificate or authorization).
Step 6: Pay the assessment fee as set out in the Fee Schedule
If an applicant is required to complete a practical assessment, TSSA will issue a separate invoice after completion of the practical assessment.
Applicants who follow the steps above can expect a response from TSSA within 20 business days.
Material Order Form
Request student and instructor manuals by completing the Oil Burner Technician Material Order Form (pdf).
Practical Skills Sign-Off Documents
Field training sign-off documents, also known as Practical Skills Sign-Off Documents, provide a way for employers and supervisors to document a certificate holder’s field experience. The field sign-off document represents the experience and skills acquired in specific areas within the industry. In addition to being a requirement for certification, the document can also indicate areas where additional experience may be needed.
Field training sign-off documents must be maintained or completed at certain certification levels. The certificate holder is responsible for ensuring that the document is up to date.
Applicants pursuing a Gas Pipeline Inspector and Petroleum Mechanic certificates must demonstrate their experience by completing and submitting the following sign-off documents to TSSA upon successfully passing the required examination:
Holders of Gas Technician 3 and Oil Burner Technician 3 certificates are required to complete the following sign-off forms and retain them for their records: