What is the difference between G1, G2, and G3 gas technician licenses?

In Ontario, G1, G2, and G3 gas technician licenses represent different levels of certification through TSSA (Technical Standards and Safety Authority), with each allowing different types of gas work on your Ottawa home.

When hiring a gas contractor in Ottawa, understanding these license levels helps ensure you get someone qualified for your specific project. Here's what each certification covers:

G3 License (Basic Level)
G3 technicians can work on basic gas appliances and equipment up to 400,000 BTU/hour input. This covers most residential work including gas ranges, dryers, fireplaces, and smaller furnaces. If you're having a gas stove installed or a basic gas fireplace connected in your Kanata or Barrhaven home, a G3-certified technician can handle this work.

G2 License (Intermediate Level)
G2 certification allows technicians to work on larger commercial and industrial gas systems up to 4,000,000 BTU/hour. This includes bigger residential systems, commercial kitchen equipment, and larger heating systems. For most Ottawa homeowners, G2 work might involve larger whole-home heating systems or if you're converting from oil to gas heating.

G1 License (Advanced Level)
G1 is the highest level, permitting work on any size gas installation without BTU limits. These technicians can handle complex industrial systems, large commercial installations, and specialized high-capacity equipment. Most residential Ottawa projects won't require G1 certification unless you have an unusually large or complex system.

What This Means for Ottawa Homeowners
For typical residential gas work in Ottawa - connecting a gas range, installing a gas fireplace, or servicing your furnace - a G3-certified technician is usually sufficient. However, many contractors hold multiple certifications, so don't be surprised if your technician has G2 or G1 credentials for basic work.

Verifying Your Contractor's Certification
Always verify your gas technician's TSSA certification before work begins. Visit tssa.org and use their technician lookup tool. Enter the contractor's name or certification number to confirm their current status and what level of work they're authorized to perform.

Ottawa Permit Requirements
Regardless of the technician's certification level, most gas work in Ottawa requires both a TSSA permit and often a City of Ottawa building permit. Your certified gas technician should handle the TSSA permit, but check with City of Ottawa Building Code Services (613-580-2424) about municipal permit requirements for your specific project.

The key is ensuring your contractor has the appropriate certification level for your project and that all required permits are obtained before work begins on your Ottawa property.