If you do a simple search online, you'll find lots of forum threads of tips on how to connect, install, or repair gas lines yourself without hiring a professional. There are some jobs that might seem like simple tasks that can be done at home without hiring a professional. These simple tasks, however, can be incredibly dangerous if they aren't done correctly.

If you're interested in doing these do-it-yourself tasks, instead consider getting formal training and making a career out of doing these tasks. To work as a gas fitter in Ontario you are legally required to be licensed. Even if these tasks seem simple, there are some reasons why it's important to get the training first.

Safety first, always

The gas tech license you will be given at the end of your training to be a gas tech is issued by the Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA). Through the training you are taught about safety practices, any new codes or regulations and requirements that the government has in place for safety standards to keep you aware of how to safely do any gas fitting task.

The TSSA has been accountable to the Government of Ontario since 1997 to provide safety services to a number of key sectors, and gas fitting falls in this umbrella. The TSSA is responsible for safety training to ensure you are trained properly to work safely in the field, and they are also responsible for conducting any examinations you require, and certifying you.

As a gas tech you're working in conditions that, if done incorrectly, can be very dangerous. It's crucial that you know what you're doing before you start any task, and that if things do go wrong, you know how to proceed in a safe manner, which TSSA training will give you.

Licensing requirements

In Ontario you are legally obligated to hold a valid gas technician license in order to get any Ontario gas technician jobs. Most employers will require proof of your certification before you are offered a job.

You will begin your licensing as a gas fitter by completing and passing your Gas Technician 3 certification, where after you will begin to work under the supervision of a person who holds a G1 or G2 license. After your G3, you can study and complete the Gas Technician 2 examination, where you may install, inspect, alter, purge, activate, repair, service, or remove a gas appliance with less than 400,000 Btuh input. After you've completed the G2 certification, you can then complete the Gas Technician 1 certification and install, remove, or complete any work on any gas appliance.

If you're considering gas fitter as a viable career option, check out our career guide below to help you make final decisions on whether this is the right pick for you.