Written by AI from public information on 2026-10-26. Fees and rules change and vary by province — confirm with the official body before relying on anything here.
Typical cost
about CA$100 to CA$300
an estimate in Canadian dollars
Time to earn it
about 1 to 2 weeks
Issued by Employers under provincial occupational health and safety law (CSA standard B335)
Required to start: Provincial workplace safety law requires trained operators for lift trucks.
About
Lift trucks are used to move heavy loads in warehouses, shipping docks, airports and many other workplaces. They can cause serious injuries if used the wrong way. That is why provincial occupational health and safety law says operators must be trained.
It is given or arranged by your employer. Some people also take a course on their own before they apply for jobs, which can help show you are ready. Either way, employers must make sure you are trained and evaluated for the specific equipment and workplace where you will be working.
How to get it
Check the rules where you live
Look up your province or territory's workplace safety rules for lift trucks. This helps you know what training an employer must provide.
Find a training provider
Many employers train their own staff. You can also look for a local training company or college that offers lift truck courses based on the national standard.
Complete classroom learning
You will learn about safe operation, load handling, stability, inspections, and hazards in the workplace. Short lessons, videos and discussion are common.
Practise on the equipment
You will drive a lift truck under the watch of a qualified trainer. You will practise lifting, moving, stacking and parking loads safely.
Pass the evaluation
Your trainer checks your knowledge and your hands-on skills. When you pass, you are cleared to operate that type of lift truck.
Get site-specific training at work
Each employer must also show you the hazards and rules of their own workplace and the exact equipment you will use. This is needed even if you were trained somewhere else.
The exam
Most programs include a written test and a practical skills check. The written part covers safety rules and how lift trucks work. In the practical part, a trainer watches you operate the truck and checks that you work safely and carefully.
Licensed by each province
Each province and territory issues this itself, under its own rules. Each province and territory sets its own workplace safety rules, so details differ from place to place. The core ideas are the same across Canada: operators must be trained, evaluated and supervised, and employers must keep records. Ask your employer or your provincial workplace safety authority what applies where you work.
Keeping it
Operators need to be re-evaluated from time to time, and employers must keep their training current. You may also need refresher training if you change to a different type of lift truck, if your workplace changes, or if you have an incident or unsafe habits are noticed. Check with your employer and your provincial safety rules for the exact timing.