Contractor Approval Program
The regulation of petroleum tank contractors is a key element of the safety system in Alberta.
In accordance with the National Fire Code – 2019 Alberta Edition, only approved individuals are permitted to install, remove, or repair petroleum storage tanks and equipment. This contributes to public safety by ensuring that only qualified individuals are permitted to perform work on petroleum storage tanks.
The power to approve petroleum tank contractors has been delegated to the Administrator of Certification with the Safety Codes Council. This power was formerly delegated to the Petroleum Tank Management Association of Alberta (PTMAA).
Become an Approved Contractor
To work as a petroleum tank contractor in Alberta, you must hold petroleum mechanic certification (PM1, PM2, and/or PM3) issued by the Canadian Petroleum Contractors Association (CPCA).
Please visit the CPCA website to find out more about how to become a certified petroleum mechanic.
Note that the Petroleum Tank Removal certification has been retired effective December 1, 2025. Individuals must hold PM2 and/or PM3 certification as outlined in the contractor classifications below to remove petroleum storage tanks.
Approved Contractors
To determine if someone is approved to work in Alberta as a Petroleum Tank Contractor, and to determine their scope of authority, you can refer to the following:
- Visit the CPCA Petroleum Mechanic registry and sort by province
- Contact the TSSA to confirm whether the individual is certified
Contractor Classifications
There are currently three classifications of contractors approved to work in Alberta, each with unique scopes of practice and certification requirements.
Qualifications
To perform service and maintenance on storage tank systems an individual must hold active Petroleum Mechanic 1 (PM1) certification obtained through the Canadian Petroleum Contractors Association (CPCA) or the Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA).
Scope of Practice
An approved Service and Maintenance Contractor may, without supervision, service and maintain petroleum equipment and systems, and accessories essential to their operation, including:
- install and remove suction pumps and related systems in accordance with manufacturer specifications regulations;
- repair and maintain suction pumps and related systems, including troubleshooting, testing, repairing and replacing mechanical, hydraulic, electrical and electronic components; and
- repair and maintain submersible pumps, dispensers and related systems, including troubleshooting, testing, repairing and replacing mechanical, hydraulic, electrical and electronic safety devices.
Note: For further information on the scope of PM1, please contact the certifying body, CPCA or TSSA.
Qualifications
To install, remove, and perform service and maintenance on underground tanks, an individual must hold active Petroleum Mechanic 2 (PM2) certification obtained through the Canadian Petroleum Contractors Association (CPCA) or the Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA).
Scope of Practice
An approved Underground Installation and Removal Contractor may, without supervision, install, remove, alter, repair, test, service, and maintain any type of underground installation and the equipment and accessories essential to its operation, including:
- install underground tanks, including the preparation and restoration of the site, the installation of temporary vents and fill pipes and pressure testing;
- remove underground tanks, including the preparation and restoration of the site, draining and disconnecting the tank system and purging tanks;install petroleum transfer systems, including the preparation of lines and equipment, component assembly, spill containment and vapour recovery;
- repair and maintain systems for detecting leaks and monitoring tanks; and
- install and remove submersible pumps, dispensers and related systems.
Note: For further information on the scope of PM2 certification, contact the certifying body, CPCA or TSSA.
Qualifications
To install, remove, and perform service and maintenance on aboveground tanks, an individual must hold active Petroleum Mechanic 3 (PM3) certification obtained through the Canadian Petroleum Contractors Association (CPCA) or the Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA).
Scope of Practice
An approved Aboveground Installation and Removal Contractor may, without supervision, install, remove, alter, repair, test, service, and maintain any type of aboveground installation and the equipment and accessories essential to its operation, including:
- install aboveground tanks, including preparation and restoration of the site, component assembly, spill containment, electrical hook-up and pressure testing;
- remove aboveground tanks, including the preparation and restoration of the site, draining and disconnecting the tank system and purging tanks;
- repair and maintain systems for detecting leaks and monitoring tanks; and
- install, remove, repair and maintain bulk handling equipment, including troubleshooting and testing mechanical, hydraulic, electric and electronic systems and safeties.
Note: For further information on the scope of PM3 certification, contact the certifying body, CPCA or TSSA.