Contractor requirements checklist
Pick your province and trade to see the licences, registrations and insurance you'll be asked for, with links to the official source for each.
Required by law or licence
WorkSafeBC registration
Employers in BC must register with WorkSafeBC. Owners without workers can usually buy optional personal coverage, and many clients ask for proof you're in good standing.
Source: WorkSafeBC →Municipal business licence
Cities require a business licence to work within their limits. Many Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley cities accept an inter-municipal business licence for trades.
Commonly required by clients and contracts
WorkSafeBC clearance letters for subcontractors
If a contractor you hire doesn't pay its premiums, you can be held liable. A clearance letter addressed to you, covering the contract period, protects you.
Source: WorkSafeBC clearance letters →Commercial general liability (usually $2 million)
Not required by law for most trades, but most clients, general contractors, landlords and property managers ask for a certificate of insurance before you start, often at $2 million and sometimes $5 million.
Need the liability certificate your clients are asking for?
Compare quotes in 3 minutesGeneral information, not legal or insurance advice. Rules change, so confirm with the body linked for each item, and with your municipality for local permits and licences.
Common questions
- Do I need insurance to be a contractor in BC?
- Liability insurance isn't required by law for most trades, but almost every client, general contractor and property manager asks for a certificate before you start. Some licences carry their own requirements, like the bond for a Technical Safety BC electrical contractor licence or home warranty insurance for new-home builders.
- Do sole proprietors need WorkSafeBC or WCB coverage?
- Employers must register. Owners without workers can often buy optional personal coverage, and in construction many clients won't let you on a site without proof you're in good standing.
- What is a clearance letter?
- A letter from the workers' compensation board confirming a contractor is registered and paying premiums. If you hire a contractor who doesn't pay, a clearance protects you from being billed for their premiums.