Mechanical licensed contractor information

To qualify for a City of Winnipeg mechanical contractor licence, individuals must:

• Hold the applicable qualification document for the specific contractor licence type
• Pay the contractor licence fee

Step 1: Apply

Email the required documentation to contractorlicence@winnipeg.ca:

1. Application form for the appropriate licence type, including signed conditions of contractor licence document:
   • M1 licence (HVAC) application
   • M2 licence (sprinkler) application
   • M3 licence (special mechanical equipment) application
   • M-Prime licence application
2. Copy of applicable qualification document specific to the licence type

Step 2: Fees/payment

Submit payment after receiving notification that document processing is complete. Credit card payment instructions will be provided at that time. You may also drop off a cheque. Licensing fees can be found in the Planning, Development and Building Fees and Charges schedule.

City of Winnipeg mechanical contractor licences are issued to individuals, based on their qualifications. Licences are not issued to companies or other entities. Licensed contractors are responsible for mechanical work performed under permits obtained with their licence, whether they perform the work personally or not. Licensed contractors remain responsible for active permits obtained by authorized signees and/or an associated company, even after they have been removed from their licence.

Provide up-to-date personal contact information. If applicants provide business information instead of personal information, or if information has changed, email contractorlicence@winnipeg.ca.

Mechanical contractors are expected to comply with administrative and technical requirements of the Winnipeg Building By-law, the Planning, Development and Building Fees and Charges schedule, and the Manitoba Building Code. These include:

• mechanical contractor responsibilities
• permit procedure & penalties
• types of work needing a permit

A contractor’s licence may be suspended or revoked if they have violated any of the provisions of the Winnipeg Building By-law, the Manitoba Building Code or the conditions of their licence. This includes engaging in work without a permit (where a permit is needed), or failure to call for inspection.

In the case of the sudden passing of a licensed contractor:

1. Upon receiving notification, the licence status will be changed to inactive.
2. Do not attempt to obtain permits under the licence.
3. Permits cannot be transferred to another contractor.
4. Permit applications and issued permits where no inspections have taken place may be cancelled and applied for under a different contractor licence.
5. A contact person must be assigned to take responsibility for closure of active permits. Contact the appropriate Inspections Branch to schedule final inspections or to develop a plan for larger projects.

Licensed contractors and authorized signees must be aware of the following conditions. They must be acknowledged and signed as part of the licensing application process.

• Fees as outlined in the Planning, Development and Building Fees and Charges schedule, including:
  • failure to call for an inspection or let the City know that work has been started within six months of getting a permit
  • failure to call for re-inspection of a defect, or to get an extension from the City within seven working days of a defect being identified
  • failure to close a permit or get an extension from the City within three-years of a permit being issued
  • work performed without a permit where a permit is needed
  • work performed by anyone not licensed by the City that requires the permit holder to have a valid licence issued by the City
• Permit applicants must let the City know where any addition, deletion, deviation and/or revision of work is made regarding the scope of work approved under the permit.
• A licence may be suspended or revoked if a contractor has violated any of the provisions of the Winnipeg Building By-law, the Manitoba Building Code or the conditions of this licence. This includes engaging in work without a permit where a permit is needed.
• Contractor licences are intended to be continuous and if not renewed by the expiry date, a late fee will be added to the cost.
  • If not renewed within six months of the expiry date, it will become inactive and the contractor must re-qualify and pay a fee to reactivate the licence.
  • Licence renewal reminders will be sent via email.
• Permit applicants must declare the value of work, which shall include permanent or fixed equipment and devices as well as the labour, materials, and other devices necessary to complete the work.
• Certification by the professional designer is needed for all work for which the professional designer is involved.
• Licensed M1 and M2 contractors will receive an email identifying their association with a permit applied for by a licensed M-Prime contractor, and if not associated with that permit, must let the City know immediately.
  • If a new M1 or M2 contractor is replacing a licensed contractor on a permit applied for by an M-Prime applicant, they are responsible for completion and correction of all defects for the scope of work specified on the permit.
• Licensed M3 contractors must maintain valid manufacturer certification(s) for the duration of the contractor licence term. Failure to comply may result in licence suspension.
• For M-Prime contractors:
  • The work proposed on an M-Prime mechanical permit application must be performed by a licensed M1 or M2 contractor, as applicable, and the licensed contractor must be identified on the permit application.
  • If the permit applicant incorrectly identifies a licensed M1 or M2 contractor on a permit application, the application or permit will be cancelled and a non-refundable administration fee withheld. A new application will be needed.
  • Where the licensed M1 or M2 contractor identified on a mechanical permit is no longer performing the work as noted on the permit, the M-Prime permit applicant shall notify the City in writing of the new licensed M1 or M2 contractor that will be performing the work.
    • The new licensed M1 or M2 contractor shall be responsible for completion and correction of all defects for the scope of work specified on the permit for which the previous licensed M1 or M2 contractor was contracted to perform.

All newly licensed contractors will automatically be sent a Permits Online registration email.

Once registration is complete, contractors will have access to Permits Online where they can apply and pay for permit applications, track the status of applications and permits, and pay their licence renewal fee. If you need help, email contractorlicence@winnipeg.ca or call 204-986-5189.

Only active permits are shown in Permits Online. Closed permits are removed after 30 days. Contractors must schedule final inspections with the appropriate Inspections Branch to close permits.

Emails are sent at permit-related milestones. These emails are sent to the permit applicant's email address on file. Depending on the permit type, emails may include the licensed contractor if the permit applicant is an authorized signee.

Make sure to add all emails containing “@winnipeg.ca” to a safe sender list to ensure messages are received. We recommend applicants set up email rules/filters to suit their business needs.

Visit the Mechanical Information Centre for mechanical documents, information, fees, news, etc.

The City publishes a daily updated list of licensed mechanical contractors. Only the contractor's name, company name (if applicable) and the type of licence is published. This is not optional; all active licensed contractors are published. If there are any errors in published information, email contractorlicence@winnipeg.ca.

If contractors wish to register a company name and have that name reflected on their mechanical permits, an associate company profile can be created.

• New applicants can complete the organization information portion of the licensed mechanical contractor application form.
• Existing contractors can request a current contractor information update form by emailing contractorlicence@winnipeg.ca.

If a business relationship changes, such as the company is closing or a contractor is leaving a company (including retirement), the following applies:

1. Permits cannot be transferred to another contractor.
2. Permit applications and issued permits where no inspections have taken place may be cancelled and applied for under a different contractor licence.
3. Ensure a new licensed contractor is in place before a departure. Make sure all new permits are obtained under the new contractor's licence.
4. Contractors are responsible for all work associated with permits obtained under their licence. They remain responsible for active permits obtained by authorized signees and/or an associated company, even after they are removed from a licence.
5. If additional time to complete active projects is needed, a licence must remain active for a term suitable for project completion. Active permits can be viewed using Permits Online.
6. Contact the appropriate Inspections Branch to schedule final inspections and ensure all active permits are closed.
7. In addition, if leaving a company:
   • Permits must be closed in a reasonable amount of time, preferably before company departure, but no longer than 60 days thereafter.
   • Upon request, an extension may be granted for larger projects that will not be completed within 60 days.
   • Contractors must identify the company contact person who will be taking responsibility for permit closure after their departure. This does not negate their responsibilities as the licence holder.

If contractors have a staff member responsible for submitting permit applications on their behalf, that individual can be added as an authorized signee under the licence.

To add authorized signees:

• New applicants can complete the authorized signees portion of the licensed mechanical contractor application form.
• Existing contractors can request a current contractor information update form by emailing contractorlicence@winnipeg.ca.

Authorized signees must be employed by the contractor and share the same company name. The contractor assumes full responsibility for their permits and actions related to permits obtained on their behalf. As permit applicants, authorized signees serve as the main contact for the permits they have obtained. Contractors remain responsible for active permits obtained by authorized signees even after they have been removed from their licence. If an authorized signee has been disrespectful to City staff, we may remove that signee or suspend the contractor licence.

Licensed mechanical contractors have the option of activating their licence for a one-year or three-year term Licensing fees can be found in the Planning, Development and Building Fees and Charges schedule.

• Starting at approximately six weeks before the licence expiry date, email reminder notifications will be sent to the address(es) on file about the upcoming expiration and available payment methods.
• At each licence renewal, contractors will be asked to confirm their personal and business contact information and that of any authorized signees.
• A late fee will be applied to all licence renewals made after the expiry date.

Contractor licences are intended to be continuous. Should a licence not be renewed within six months of the expiry date, it will become inactive and contractors must produce their valid qualification document to re-qualify and pay a fee to reactivate the licence. If contractors allow their licence to expire beyond six months, they are still responsible for all active permits under their licence until they are closed or cancelled.

If opting to not renew a licence or retiring:

• Permits cannot be transferred to another contractor.
• Permit applications and issued permits where no inspections have taken place may be cancelled and applied for under a different contractor licence.
• Licensed contractors are responsible for all work associated with permits obtained under their licence, including active permits obtained by authorized signees and/or an associated company, even after they have been removed from a licence.
• A plan must be in place for closing all active permits under the contractor's licence before the licence expires. If additional time to complete active projects is needed, the licence must be renewed for a term suitable for project completion. Active permits can be viewed using Permits Online.
• Contact the appropriate Inspections Branch to schedule final inspections and ensure all active permits are closed.