Updated December 2023
So you've earned your G3 and are ready to go after your G2 certification. There are many good reasons to level up and challenge the TSSA G2 exam.
You'll need this Certificate of Qualification to build your career in plumbing, HVAC, appliance repair—or to find employment as a gas fitter in Ontario.
So what can you expect to learn in a Gas 2 training program? What should you look for in a quality program and keep in mind about the exam? Here's what you need to know.
Content of the Gas 2 Training Program
G2 training picks up where your G3 certificate left off. It's a combination of theory and hands-on training designed by the TSSA (Technical Standards & Safety Authority) to prepare you for the Ontario qualifying exam.
What will you be learning in this program? Courses cover:
- Advanced piping and tubing systems
- Understanding the building as a system
- Working with domestic and non-vented appliances
- Water heaters and combo systems
- Forced warm air heating systems
- Hydronic heating systems
- Air handling
- Conversion burner
- Domestic gas-fired refrigerators
- Gas meter, pressure regulators, and relief
The goal is to prepare students to work unsupervised on natural gas or propane appliances that have an input of 400,000 BTUH or less.
Once you complete all the courses, you'll be fully prepared to take the G2 TSSA exam and earn your Certificate of Qualification for Gas Technician 2. More on that next.
Taking Your G2 Certification Exam
Your G2 written exam will consist entirely of multiple-choice questions. TSSA gas technician exams run for up to 3.5 hours—but you can apply for extra time if you have a documented disability.
Here are a few important rules to know about:
- You must get at least 75 per cent in every one of your G2 courses to qualify for the exam
- You must maintain 80 per cent attendance during your G2 training program
- You must take the TSSA exam within one year of completing training
- You must submit an exam application and pay a fee (you can't just show up at a testing centre)
- You must cancel at least two weeks in advance, or you won't get your exam fee refunded
- You need a 75 per cent to pass the TSSA Gas Technician 2 exam
- If you fail the exam three times, you have to go back and take the G2 training program again
Note: If the TSSA discovers that you didn't meet one of these requirements, they will make you rewrite the test and/or start over with training.
Have doubts about whether you're eligible to challenge the G2 exam? You can call TSSA customer service to review the requirements and confirm you've covered all the bases.
Gas Technician Career Opportunities
The job forecast is positive for gas technicians in Ontario. The Government of Canada Job Bank gives this occupation three out of five stars for employment outlook and demand. That means you can expect moderate growth in this sector.
Wages are good too, with the median salary for gas fitters in Ontario at $30 an hour (or about $62,000 a year).
Where can you work as a certified gas technician? Common options include:
- Gas utility and gas servicing companies
- Plumbing and HVAC companies
- Construction firms
- Your own business (The Job Bank says 22% of gas fitters in Ontario are self-employed)
Typical responsibilities for this role include:
- Installing, inspecting, and repairing gas lines and gas equipment (such as meters and heating units)
- Testing and replacing defective components
- Testing for gas leaks
- Dealing with gas escape calls and investigating gas fires and explosions
- Converting appliances to natural gas
- Servicing gas appliances
Finding the Right G2 Training Program
First and foremost, you'll need to confirm the G2 training program you choose is approved by the TSSA. Trade schools that deliver gas training must be registered with, and accredited by, the TSSA—or your application for a Certificate of Qualification will not be accepted.
Other than that, it's about choosing a school you trust and finding a class schedule that fits your needs.
There are full-time and part-time options out there. You can work through the program one course at a time or complete them all back to back.
At Herzing College, our Gas 2 Technician Training takes 24 weeks to complete, with both day and evening classes available. We offer this program at the Toronto and Cambridge campuses.
Have questions about training or careers?
Your next step is to speak with admissions. An advisor will guide you through the gas technician program, costs, financial aid, how to apply, and more.
Chat live with an advisor now. Or click below to explore the program in more detail. We're here to help!
