BCIT
British Columbia Institute of Technology. 2nd Class Part A and Part B online, about 8 months each part.
On TSBC provider list · ABSA accepted6 papers
2A1 to 2B3Free study guide · SOPEEC-aligned
The 2nd Class Power Engineer Roadmap
How to move up from 3rd Class to 2nd Class anywhere in Canada: prerequisites and steam time by province, the six exam papers, online programs, and what to expect on exam day.
How you get your ticket: 5 steps +
- Hold your 3rd Class certificate. Every province requires it (Quebec: class 3 or direct progression).
- Build qualifying time, usually 24 months in a senior role at a larger plant.
- Take an approved 2nd Class course, which cuts 9 months in BC and Saskatchewan.
- Pass all six papers: 2A1, 2A2, 2A3, 2B1, 2B2 and 2B3.
- Apply for your certificate with your operating experience form.
Eligibility requirements
2nd Class requires a 3rd Class certificate and about two years in a senior role at a larger plant in most provinces. Open your province for the details.
British Columbia
| Regulatory body | Technical Safety BC (TSBC) ↗ |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite | 3rd Class certificate (or a corresponding Canadian credential, or a 1st Class Marine Engineer (motor) certificate). |
| Steam time |
|
| Exams | 2A1, 2A2, 2A3, 2B1, 2B2, 2B3: 3 hours, 65% each. Three attempts, 30-day wait after a failed attempt. |
| What you can operate |
|
| Where you'll find these plants |
Alberta
| Regulatory body | ABSA ↗ |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite | A valid 3rd Class Certificate of Competency. |
| Steam time |
|
| Exams | 2A1 to 2B3: 100 questions, 3 hours, 65% each. |
| What you can operate |
|
| Where you'll find these plants |
Saskatchewan
| Regulatory body | Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan (TSASK) ↗ |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite | Pass all six 2nd Class papers, then qualify through one of TSASK's routes. |
| Steam time |
|
| Exams | 2A1 to 2B3: 100 questions, 3 hours, 65% each. |
| What you can operate |
|
| Where you'll find these plants |
Manitoba
| Regulatory body | Inspection and Technical Services (ITS) ↗ |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite | 3rd Class certificate. |
| Steam time |
|
| Exams | 2nd Class papers (2A1 to 2B3): 100 questions, 3 hours, 65% each. Confirm the exact papers with ITS. |
| What you can operate |
|
| Where you'll find these plants |
Ontario
Essay + multiple choice
| Regulatory body | Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) ↗ |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite | TSSA recommends a 2nd Class power engineering course before writing. |
| Steam time |
|
| Exams |
|
| What you can operate |
|
| Where you'll find these plants |
Quebec
Own system
| Regulatory body | Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale ↗ |
|---|---|
| Certificate | Certificat en mécanique de machines fixes, classe 2 (MMF-C2). |
| Prerequisite | Class 3, or direct progression from class 4. Qualification elements are validated by a class 2 or class 1 journeyperson. |
| Steam time | At least 4,500 hours of apprenticeship; after class 3, 2,000 more hours. |
| What you can operate |
|
New Brunswick
| Regulatory body | Technical Inspection Services (Public Safety) ↗ |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite | A 3rd Class licence held for at least two years. |
| Steam time | Four years of related practical experience, including at least one year in a facility larger than 400 therm-hours. |
| Exams | Pass the required 2nd Class examinations. |
| What you can operate |
|
| Where you'll find these plants |
Nova Scotia
| Regulatory body | Labour, Skills and Immigration: Technical Safety ↗ |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite | A current 3rd Class licence and trainee registration for 2nd Class. |
| Steam time | The regulated practical hours for 2nd Class. Confirm with Technical Safety (safetybranch@novascotia.ca). |
| Exams | SOPEEC 2nd Class papers. |
| What you can operate |
|
| Where you'll find these plants |
Prince Edward Island
| Regulatory body | Power Engineers Board of Examiners ↗ |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite | A valid 3rd Class licence. |
| Steam time | At least 24 months since your 3rd Class licence as chief or shift engineer in a power plant over 4,000 kW, shift or assistant engineer in a plant over 7,000 kW, or assistant shift engineer in a plant over 30,000 kW. |
| Exams | PEI provincial 2nd Class exam. |
| What you can operate |
|
| Where you'll find these plants |
Newfoundland and Labrador
| Regulatory body | Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division ↗ |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite | 3rd Class certificate, plus employment in an adequate plant verified by the chief engineer. |
| Steam time |
|
| Exams | SOPEEC 2nd Class papers. |
| What you can operate |
|
| Where you'll find these plants |
* Hours are estimates at 160 hours a month, the rate TSASK and the Ontario guides use; regulators that state months may count hours differently. Workplace examples are typical, not regulatory. Last checked October 2026; confirm with your regulator before you apply.
Syllabus
2nd Class is six papers: three in Part A and three in Part B, following the SOPEEC 2nd Class syllabus.
2A1
- 1ASME Code Sections I and VIII calculations
- 2Industrial administration
- 3Applied mechanics
2A2
- 1Thermodynamics
- 2Metallurgy
- 3Materials testing
2A3
- 1Boilers
- 2Pumps
- 3Water treatment
2B1
- 1Heat engines and prime movers
- 2Lubrication
- 3Piping
- 4Mechanical drawing
2B2
- 1Power plant systems
- 2Control instrumentation
- 3Fuels and combustion
- 4Environmental protection
2B3
- 1Electrotechnology
- 2Air and gas compression
- 3Industrial and commercial refrigeration
Subjects as listed by TSASK for the SOPEEC 2nd Class exams. Full syllabus: sopeec.org.
Where to study
Most 2nd Class students study online while working. Start with "Online, any province", then check your regulator for experience credit.
Online, any province
3 courses
SAIT
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. Six online courses (A1 to B3) with instructor support, up to 3 years to finish.
ABSA: up to 9 months credit after all 6 coursesNAIT
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. 2nd Class by distance learning.
ABSA acceptedMost 2nd Class students study online while working. Confirm your regulator accepts the program and any experience credit before you enrol.
British Columbia
Online
See "Online, any province" for BCIT, SAIT and NAIT.
Alberta
Online
BCIT, SAIT and NAIT are on ABSA's accepted list for 2nd Class (distance learning). See "Online, any province".
Saskatchewan
1 course
Sask Polytech
Power Engineering Technology, Saskatoon. Students who pass all 3rd Class exams can challenge 2nd Class Part A in semester 5.
Partial 2nd Class preparationFor the full 2nd Class, see "Online, any province".
Manitoba
Online
No local 2nd Class program found. See "Online, any province".
Ontario
2 courses
Lambton College
Sarnia. 3-year Power Engineering Technology advanced diploma; final year covers 2nd Class, with up to 25 months of 2nd Class QET reduction. Fall intake currently suspended.
TSSA time reductionsCambrian College
Sudbury. 3-year Power Engineering Technology advanced diploma; students can challenge TSSA exams up to 2nd Class.
Prepares for TSSA examsQuebec
French programs
MMF training is offered in French by Quebec school service centres.
New Brunswick
Online
See "Online, any province".
Nova Scotia
Online
See "Online, any province".
Prince Edward Island
Online
See "Online, any province".
Newfoundland and Labrador
Online
The province directs 2nd and 1st Class students to out-of-province correspondence or online training. See "Online, any province".
Program lengths, dates and fees change each term. Last checked October 2026; confirm with the school and your regulator before you enrol.
Exam
Exam format
Six papers · multiple choice · SOPEEC standard format
100 questions each
Multiple choice, 3 hours per paper65% to pass
On each paper. Aim for 75% in practiceCode books allowed
Bring approved codes and your Act. Practise finding answers fast.Ontario is different: TSSA's 2A-1 to 2A-3 are essay exams (answer 5 of 7 questions in 3½ hours) and 2B-1 to 2B-3 are 100-question multiple choice; rewrites after 60 days. BC: three attempts per exam, 30-day wait after a failed attempt. Quebec uses its own class 2 system.
Before you book
Three checks before you pick a date
Apply early
Send your application to your regulator well before the exam date.Aim for 75%, not the pass mark
Pass two full timed mocks at 75% first.Learn your code books
Know where answers are so you're fast on the day.Not sure when to book?
Pick a target date and weekly hours, and get a week-by-week plan for each 2nd Class paper.
Try a question from our bank
Field weakening (deliberately reducing field current) above a DC shunt motor's base speed is used to:
What to bring
Check your regulator's list before exam day
2nd Class power engineer FAQ
How many exams are in 2nd Class?
Six papers: 2A1, 2A2, 2A3, 2B1, 2B2 and 2B3. Under the SOPEEC standard each has 100 multiple-choice questions and 3 hours, with a 65% pass mark. In Ontario, the three 2A exams are essay format.
How much experience do I need for 2nd Class?
Usually 24 months after 3rd Class in a senior role, such as chief engineer of a 3rd Class plant or shift engineer of a 2nd Class plant (BC, Manitoba, Saskatchewan). Ontario requires 2,880 hours, or 2,080 after an approved program. An approved course cuts 9 months in BC and Saskatchewan.
Can I study 2nd Class online?
Yes. BCIT, SAIT and NAIT offer 2nd Class by distance learning and are on ABSA's accepted list. SAIT gives up to 9 months of ABSA experience credit after all six courses.
What can a 2nd Class power engineer operate?
In Manitoba, chief engineer of a high-pressure plant up to 10,000 kW and shift engineer in any plant. In Saskatchewan, chief engineer of high-pressure steam up to 10,000 kW and shift engineer of any capacity. In BC, chief engineer of a 2nd Class plant (500 to 1,000 m² of boiler capacity) and shift engineer of a 1st Class plant.
Is BoilerIQ official?
No. BoilerIQ practice material is SOPEEC-aligned and is not affiliated with or endorsed by SOPEEC or any provincial regulator.
Start today
Try free SOPEEC-aligned 2nd Class questions, or build a week-by-week study plan.
BoilerIQ practice material is SOPEEC-aligned and is not affiliated with or endorsed by SOPEEC or any provincial regulator. Always confirm exam and certification requirements with your provincial jurisdiction.