- What are the requirements for purchasing and/or handling refrigerants in Ontario?
- How does one obtain an Ozone Depletion Prevention (ODP) certificate?
- Are individuals who have been certified in other provincial or territorial jurisdictions required to complete an environmental training course in Ontario to obtain an ODP card?
- Is Ozone Depletion Prevention certification equivalent or similar to a Certificate of Qualification (CofQ) for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanics in Ontario?
- Does a member of a certified trade still need to have an ODP Certificate?
- What type of qualifications are required to service air-conditioning equipment?
- Where can I receive training for an ODP Certificate?
- How do I replace a lost ODP Certificate?
- Are there recertification or re-examination requirements for ODP certificate holders in Ontario?
- How do I re-validate an expired card?
- What is the fee to obtain an ODP card?
What are the requirements for purchasing and/or handling refrigerants in Ontario?
An Ozone Depletion Prevention (ODP) certificate is required to purchase and handle refrigerants in Ontario.
How does one obtain an Ozone Depletion Prevention (ODP) certificate?
An ODP certificate is issued to individuals who have successfully completed an environmental awareness training course. The training course is one that must be approved by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment.
A one-day environmental awareness training course is offered by the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada or one of their approved training partners. The course program is based on Environment Canada's "Code of Practice for Reducing CFC Emissions in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems". The course and the accompanying materials deal with proper handling of CFC/HCFC/HFCs, and will prepare participants for complying with provincial regulations covering refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Participants who attend the course and successfully achieve a mark of 75% or higher on the exam will receive certification in the form on an Ozone Depletion Prevention (ODP) certificate.
If you are a member of Local Union 787 you may receive ODP training through the Joint Training and Apprenticeship Committee (JTAC).
Are individuals who have been certified in other provincial or territorial jurisdictions required to complete an environmental training course in Ontario to obtain an ODP card?
Individuals who have been appropriately trained in other provincial or territorial jurisdictions under certain conditions (such as by providing a copy of an authorizing certificate, or confirmation in writing from an out-of-province regulatory authority) are not required to complete an environmental awareness training course in Ontario to obtain an ODP certification.
However, out-of-province certified workers who come to Ontario are still required to register for an Ontario ODP card and pay appropriate administrative fees ($50 fee plus taxes).
Is Ozone Depletion Prevention certification equivalent or similar to a Certificate of Qualification (CofQ) for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanics in Ontario?
No. The ODP card is a certificate which indicates that the holder has successfully completed a one day environmental awareness training course to the satisfaction of the Ministry of the Environment. This certification entitles ODP card holders to purchase and handle refrigerants in Ontario. It does not mean individuals are certified in a trade to work on particular refrigeration equipment. Certain ODP card holders may not need a CofQ if they do not service refrigeration equipment containing ODS (such as an inventory control manager responsible for purchasing ODS).
In Ontario, the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities is responsible for apprenticeship training and trade certification. Certificates of Qualification are issued in several trades that handle refrigerants including certain automotive trades and the trade of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic. For information about apprenticeship training and trade certification, please visit the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
Does a member of a certified trade still need to have an ODP Certificate?
Yes. Ontario’s ODS and Other Halocarbons regulation requires that all persons who purchase and handle refrigerants have an ODP certificate. However, many colleges that offer Certificates of Qualification in trades that may require the handling of refrigerants are recognized training partners and are able to deliver the ODP certification content as part of the curriculum.
If you have received a CofQ from a college in Ontario recently, you may have completed the environmental awareness training and may be entitled to an ODP certificate. Contact your college to inquiry about ODP training and certification.
Various technical qualifications may be needed in addition to the ODP Certificate to service air-conditioning equipment (see previous question).
What type of qualifications are required to service air-conditioning equipment?
Various technical qualifications may be needed in addition to the ODP Certificate to service air-conditioning equipment (see previous question).
Where can I receive training for an ODP Certificate?
If you want information on where and when you can enroll in an ODP course please contact the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute (HRAI) at (905) 602-4700 or 1-800-267-2231 or visit the HRAI website.
If you are a member of Local Union 787 you may receive ODP training through the Joint Training and Apprenticeship Committee (JTAC). Contact JTAC for more information on certification workshops to union members throughout the province at (905) 790-9662 or visit the JTAC website.
How do I replace a lost ODP Certificate?
Contact the Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute (HRAI) at (905) 602-4700 or 1-800-267-2231. You can also fax the HRAI a letter requesting replacement of the certificate with your name, address, ODP certificate and credit card information at (905) 602-1197. There is a cost for a replacement card.
Are there recertification or re-examination requirements for ODP certificate holders in Ontario?
The recertification or re-examination requirement for Ozone Depletion Prevention certificate holders was removed in 2007. However, ODP certificate holders still have to apply for card renewal every five years and pay a renewal fee ($50 plus tax).
How do I re-validate an expired card?
An ODP card is valid for five years from the date it is issued and it is the responsibility of the ODP cardholder to maintain a valid certification. Valid certification is maintained if an individual applies for a renewal before their card expires.
So, when an ODP card expires, an individual would have to successfully complete the environmental awareness course as outlined in the Ontario ODS and Other Halocarbons regulation.
What is the fee to obtain an ODP card?
The fee to complete the environmental awareness training and obtain an ODP card is $175 plus tax, which is the same as other provinces and territories. This fee is payable to the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute to recover the costs of training, which include training manual, instruction, testing and administrative costs associated with issuing the certification.
The renewal fee for the ODP certificate is $50 plus tax every five years, with no retesting or examination required.