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 one or more of the following:
- Petroleum mechanic certification (PM1, PM2, and/or PM3) issued by the Canadian Petroleum Contractors Association (CPCA)
- Petroleum Tank Removal Certification issued by the Petroleum Tank Management Association of Alberta (PTMAA)
Please visit the CPCA website to find out more about how to become a certified petroleum mechanic.
Note that Petroleum Tank Removal certification level is in the process of being retired. While all existing Petroleum Tank Removal certificates remain valid until December 1, 2025, no new certifications at that level will be issued by PTMAA or the Safety Codes Council.
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.
- Refer to this Petroleum Tank Removal Contractor list
Contractor Classifications
There are currently four 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.
Qualifications
To remove aboveground and underground petroleum storage tanks, an individual must hold petroleum tank removal certification obtained through the Petroleum Tank Management Association of Alberta prior to June 8, 2022.
Scope of Practice
An approved Petroleum Tank Removal Contractor may, without supervision, remove any type of aboveground and underground installation only.
Note: This classification of contractor will expire on December 31, 2025. To continue working on underground storage tanks in Alberta after this date, any individual with this certification will need to obtain their Petroleum Mechanic 2 (PM2) certification. For further information on the scope of PM2 certification, contact the certifying body, Canadian Petroleum Contractors Association or the Technical Standards & Safety Authority.