Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic Apprenticeship in British Columbia
Required hours, technical training levels and the Red Seal exam — plus a progress tracker that estimates your time to certification.
Requirements as of June 28, 2026 — official requirements vary by province and change. Always confirm with SkilledTradesBC.
Verify with SkilledTradesBCOn-the-job hours required
6,210
In-school technical levels
4
990 in-school hours
Certifying exam
Red Seal
Certificate of Qualification — Interprovincial Red Seal exam (min. 70%)
Red Seal trade
Yes
Interprovincial endorsement
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic in British Columbia — level breakdown
| Level / period | On-the-job hours | In-school training |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 1,552 | 180 hrs |
| Level 2 | 1,553 | 210 hrs |
| Level 3 | 1,552 | 300 hrs |
| Level 4 | 1,553 | 300 hrs |
| Total | 6,210 | 990 hrs |
Compulsory in BC — designated Skilled Trades Certification (STC). Per-level technical-training hours (180/210/300/300 = 990 total) are officially published. Per-level work-based hours are not published as fixed values (the only published milestone is the Level 4 entry minimum of 4,658 hrs); the per-level work-based split shown is an even distribution of the verified 6,210 total.
Track your progress
Enter what you have completed. Saved on this device only — no account needed.
You appear to be in Level 1 of 4 based on hours logged.
On-the-job hours remaining
6,210
- Percent complete
- 0%
- Hours logged
- 0
- Estimated completion
- July 2029
Red Seal readiness
- On-the-job hours met (6,210 required)
- In-school technical training complete (4 levels)
- Eligible to write the Certificate of Qualification — Interprovincial Red Seal exam (min. 70%) (Red Seal)
Keep logging hours and completing levels. When all items are checked, you can apply to write the Certificate of Qualification — Interprovincial Red Seal exam (min. 70%).
Next step at SkilledTradesBCTrack your certifications on your Tradesppl profile
This tracker saves to this device only. With a free account, your certifications live on your profile and show up when you apply to jobs.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours to become a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic in British Columbia?+
In British Columbia, the refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic apprenticeship requires about 6,210 on-the-job hours plus 4 levels of in-school technical training (990 in-school hours), then the Certificate of Qualification — Interprovincial Red Seal exam (min. 70%). Verified June 28, 2026 with SkilledTradesBC — confirm current requirements there.
Is Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic a Red Seal trade in British Columbia?+
Yes. Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic is a Red Seal designated trade, so passing the Interprovincial Red Seal exam adds a Red Seal endorsement recognized across participating provinces.
How many hours do you need to become a Red Seal tradesperson?+
It varies by trade and province. Most Red Seal apprenticeships run about 6,000–9,000 on-the-job hours over roughly four to five years, plus three to four levels of in-school technical training, then the Interprovincial Red Seal exam. Always confirm the current hours with your provincial apprenticeship authority.
What is a Red Seal endorsement?+
The Red Seal is the national standard for skilled trades in Canada. Passing the Interprovincial Red Seal exam in a designated trade adds a Red Seal endorsement to your provincial certificate, letting you work in that trade across participating provinces and territories without re-certifying.
Do apprenticeship requirements change?+
Yes. Required hours, technical-training levels and exam rules are set by each provincial authority and are updated periodically. The figures here were verified on their effective date, but you must confirm the current requirements with the official authority linked on every page before relying on them.
Does the tracker need an account?+
No. Your logged hours, completed levels and weekly average are saved in your browser on this device only — there is no sign-up and nothing is sent to a server.
Methodology & sources
Figures for the refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic apprenticeship in British Columbia were verified against SkilledTradesBC on June 28, 2026 (SkilledTradesBC — Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic program profile (harmonized, Nov 2023)). The Red Seal exam is administered under the national Interprovincial Standards program.
Requirements vary by province and route and change over time. Confirm the current hours, levels and exam eligibility with SkilledTradesBC before relying on them.
- Provincial/territorial apprenticeship authorities and the Interprovincial Red Seal Program (Canada); state licensing boards (United States) — verified June 28, 2026
- SkilledTradesBC — verified June 28, 2026
Last reviewed June 28, 2026. Estimates are indicative — verify against current product specs and local requirements before ordering.
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