Fireworks operator certification

On this page

• Display fireworks or special effects pyrotechnics
• Safety and legal awareness course
• Apply for your certificate
• Receive your certificate
• Visitors to Canada
• Renew or upgrade your certificate

Display fireworks or special effects pyrotechnics

To decide on appropriate training and which class of certificate to apply for, choose display fireworks or special effects pyrotechnics.

Display fireworks

• for professional use at events such as Victoria Day, Canada Day and fireworks festivals
• high-hazard
• include items like aerial shells, cakes, Roman candles, waterfalls, lances and wheels
• include firecrackers

Special effect pyrotechnics

• for professional use at events such as live stage performances and for special effects in television and film production
• high-hazard
• include items like gerbs, mines, comets and crossettes

Class of certification

Planning, setting up and firing fireworks affect public safety. To use display fireworks, you must have at least a Display Assistant certificate. You must complete a period of apprenticeship as a Display Assistant before applying for a Fireworks Supervisor certificate. Certification is divided into the following classes:

• Display Assistant – You can assist and work under the direct supervision of a certified Display Supervisor. You must complete the Display Fireworks Safety and Legal Awareness Course before applying for certification.  
• Display Supervisor – You can act as Lead Supervisor in Charge of displays that use display fireworks. You may not use shells over 155 millimetres (6 inches), and the display must be fired from solid ground or ice. You are also responsible for training and supervising Display Assistants.
• Display Supervisor with Endorsements – You can act as Lead Supervisor in Charge of displays that use the types of effects or that fire from various firing locations, as specified in the endorsement. You are also responsible for training and supervising Display Assistants and Display Supervisors. Endorsements:
  • Large shells: shells over 155 millimetres (6 inches)
  • Floating platform: barges, pontoon or multihull
  • Rooftop, bridge and flatbed
  • Nautical effects
  • Flying saucer

To use special effect pyrotechnics, whether to reproduce a visual gunshot effect during a stage play, to provide a waterfall of silver sparks for a rock concert, or to destroy a car in a film scene, you must have at least a Pyrotechnician certificate. You must have acted as a pyrotechnician for 1 year before upgrading your certificate to the next class. There are four classes of certification:

• Pyrotechnician – You must complete the Special Effect Pyrotechnics Safety and Legal Awareness Course. You can use designated special effect pyrotechnics that have been authorized as suitable for use by an unsupervised Pyrotechnician. You can also use all other authorized articles and powders as long as you are supervised by a Senior Pyrotechnician or Special Effects Pyrotechnician.
• Senior Pyrotechnician – You can use all authorized articles and powders classified as special effect pyrotechnics. You can also use special purpose pyrotechnics for the film and television industry as long as you are supervised by a Special Effects Pyrotechnician.
• Special Effects Pyrotechnician – You can use all authorized articles and powders classified as special effect pyrotechnics. You can also assemble and use special-purpose pyrotechnics for the film and television industry. You can also use initiation systems and detonating cords under the supervision of a Special Effects Pyrotechnician – Detonating Cord.
• Special Effects Pyrotechnician – Detonating Cord – You can use all authorized articles and powders classified as special effect pyrotechnics. You are certified to use initiation systems and detonating cords and can assemble and use special-purpose pyrotechnics for the film and television industry.

Safety and legal awareness course

If you are applying for a fireworks operator certificate (Display Assistant or Pyrotechnician) for the first time, you must:

• be at least 18 years or older
• successfully complete a safety and legal awareness course for display fireworks or special effect pyrotechnics. These courses are offered in various locations across Canada by the Explosives Regulatory Division (ERD) of Natural Resources Canada and certified course providers. Please contact the Explosives Regulatory Division for a current list of certified course providers

Apply for your certificate

Apply for the appropriate certificate by enrolling in the electronic Licence Management System (eLMS). Note that you should enrol as an Individual.

After you have completed your enrolment, proceed to the My Personal Licences, Permits, and Certificates link to apply for a new certificate. You will need:

• proof of your successful completion of the applicable safety and legal awareness course
• a way to pay—you can pay with a major credit card or choose the option to pay later and send a certified cheque or money order

If you want to apply for a fireworks operator certificate by mail, contact the Explosives Regulatory Division for information.

Receive your certificate

When you apply for a new fireworks operator certificate using eLMS, you can download, save and print your certificate directly from eLMS. If you submit an application by mail, a paper copy of the certificate will be sent by mail within four to six weeks. Contact the Explosives Regulatory Division for more information.

Certification for all classes is valid for 5 years. The Explosives Regulatory Division (ERD) will send you a reminder when it is time to renew your certificate.

Visitors to Canada

If you are a technician from another country, you are permitted to assist certified Canadian technicians, who assume all responsibility for the show set-up. To do so, you must obtain a fireworks operator certificate – visitor by submitting proof of competence. 

You can apply for a fireworks operator certificate – visitor using the electronic Licence Management System (eLMS). Apply for the appropriate certificate by enrolling in the electronic Licence Management System (eLMS). Note that you should enrol as an Individual.

After you have completed your enrolment, proceed to the My Personal Licences, Permits, and Certificates link to apply for a fireworks operator certificate (visitor – pyrotechnician or visitor – display). You will need:

• your work résumé
• a list of the planned fireworks or pyrotechnics displays in Canada and their dates, as well as the name, contact information and telephone number of the certified Canadian supervisor in charge at each fireworks or pyrotechnics display
• a way to pay—you can pay with a major credit card or choose the option to pay later and send a certified cheque or money order

If you want to apply for a fireworks operator certificate - visitor by mail, contact the Explosives Regulatory Division for information.

Certificates for visitors are issued with expiry dates that are set six months from the date of issuance, or the last day of the month of the final fireworks or pyrotechnics display of the tour or event. These certificates are not permitted to be renewed.

Renew or upgrade your certificate

You can renew or upgrade your certificate, or replace an existing certificate, using the electronic Licence Management System (eLMS). Enrol in the system, then proceed to the My Personal Licences, Permits and Certificate link to renew or apply for an upgrade for your fireworks operator certificate.

If you want to renew or upgrade your application by mail, please contact the Explosives Regulatory Division (ERD) for instructions.

Renewing your fireworks operator certificate

Once you are certified to use display fireworks or special effect pyrotechnics, you will receive a letter in the mail or an email (if you are enrolled in eLMS) at least two months before your certificate expires. The letter or email will remind you of the expiry date and give you instructions to renew.

If you have not received your reminder to renew and your certificate is going to expire or has expired already, contact the Explosives Regulatory Division.

To renew online, you will need:

• a way to pay—you can pay with a major credit card or choose the option to pay later and send a certified cheque or money order

Upgrading your fireworks operator certificate

To upgrade your fireworks operator certificate to a higher level, you must apply using eLMS or by mail.

To upgrade your certificate online, you will need:

• a work journal
• a letter of recommendation

• a way to pay—you can pay with a major credit card or choose the option to pay later and send a certified cheque or money order

The following are the requirements for each class of certification:

Display Supervisor

• certification as a Display Assistant
• you participated in a minimum of three shows within five years
• letter of recommendation that is signed by a Display Supervisor in Charge of a fireworks display that you worked on as a crew member. The letter must attest that you are competent to act as a display supervisor.

Display Supervisor with Endorsements

• certification as a Display Supervisor
• first endorsement—you acted as Lead Supervisor in Charge for at least three shows
• for each endorsement—you participated in at least three shows in the past five years in which you have assisted with displays that include the endorsement
• letter of recommendation from a Lead Supervisor in Charge of a show that includes the endorsement in which you participated as crew

Senior Pyrotechnician

• certification as a Pyrotechnician for one year
• work journal
• letter of recommendation from a supervisor (Senior Pyrotechnician, Special Effects Pyrotechnician or Special Effects Pyrotechnician – Detonating Cord)

Special Effects Pyrotechnician

• certification as a Senior Pyrotechnician for one year
• work journal
• letter of recommendation from a supervisor (Special Effects Pyrotechnicians or Special Effects Pyrotechnician – Detonating Cord)

Special Effects Pyrotechnician – Detonating Cord

• certification as a Special Effects Pyrotechnician for one year
• work journal
• letter of recommendation from a supervisor (Special Effects Pyrotechnician – Detonating Cord)

• an approval letter including a criminal record check (See Guideline for applying for an approval letter)

Contact us

Find contact information for general inquiries or urgent requests related to explosives, fireworks, ammunition or restricted components.