FORWARD
The Accreditation Certificate Program was developed to promote the recognition of General and Trade contractors who have demonstrated acceptable technical, business skills and financial management abilities.

The principle goal of contractors in the accreditation program is to provide quality construction to their clients at a reasonable price.

WHO CAN APPLY?
Applications for the Accreditation Program will be accepted from contractors who are bondable and contracting for nonresidential projects. The applicant must have completed or have a project under construction in BC.

WHAT DOES IT DO?
The Accreditation Certificate Program recognizes the professionalism and competencies of General and Trade Contractors. Accreditation offers a real degree of assurance to the buyers of construction that the firms accredited have attained a recognized level of competence.

HISTORY
In April 1992 a Task Force was formed to investigate a form of licensing for General Contractors. In September 1992 a report was submitted to the ACA Board of Directors by the Task Force recommending that an Accreditation Program be sponsored. It was further recommended that the program be based on a contractor's business skills as opposed to trade skills. ACA introduced the Accreditation Certificate Program in 1996 for General Contractors and in 1997 for Trade Contractors.

In the spring of 1998 the program became the initiative of BCCA and is now offered province wide under the jurisdiction of BCCA.

THE PROCESS
Application:

Once the application is received it is reviewed to ensure that all questions have been answered and that all supporting documentation has been provided, including:

• In-depth review of corporate and key personnel qualifications and experience Resumes
• List of current and past projects
• Letters of reference from Bonding Company; Insurance Broker; Bank; Auditors.

Based on information supplied by the applicant, reference questionnaires are sent to:

• Owners/ Architects
• Trade or General Contractors
• Suppliers

Once 60% of the completed reference questionnaires requested have been returned an examiner is appointed. The Examiner reviews the application and contacts the applicant to set up office and project site visits.

THE EXAMINER
All Examiners have a minimum of 20 years construction experience, are retired or not actively engaged in the construction industry and are not an owner.

THE EXAMINATION
The examination includes a series of questions based on the following:

• Technical and Business Skills

• Company Organization
• Personnel
• Hiring and employee upgrading practices
• Project Systems
• Library
• Updating of Skills
• Quality Assurance

• Financial

• Succession
• Insurance
• Costing Systems
• Accounting Methods
• Business Plan
• Lien Legislation

• Experience

• Construction Project Experience
• Safety Program
• Conduct in business relationships

All Examiners must satisfy themselves that the answers given are accurate and they may ask for verification and/or supporting documentation if necessary.

AFTER THE EXAMINATION
Once the examination is complete the examiner prepares his report to the Registrar. Once the Registrar's review is complete an Examining Committee is appointed to hear the Examiner's report, including his recommendation to approve or reject the application for accreditation.

The Examining Committee members must satisfy themselves that all aspects of the application meet with their approval. All decisions of the Examining Committee are by majority vote. their recommendation to approve or reject the application is forwarded to the Registrar.

THE CERTIFICATE
Once the Examining Committee and the Registrar are satisfied that all aspects of the process have been completed and that the applicant has met the objectives of the program the CERTIFICATE OF ACCREDITATION is presented. This Certificate must be renewed every two years.

BCCA would like to congratulate the following BCCA Accredited General Contractors: