WCB clearance letter

A document from a workers' compensation board confirming a business is registered and in good standing, often needed before you hire a contractor.

Also called: clearance certificate, letter of good standing, WSIB clearance certificate, WCB clearance

What WCB clearance letter means

A WCB clearance letter (also called a clearance certificate or letter of good standing) is a document from a workers' compensation board that confirms a business is registered with the board and is up to date on its premiums. Boards issue them on request, usually through their online services.

Clearances matter mostly when you hire a contractor or subcontractor. Depending on the province, if you hire a contractor who has workers and does not pay their workers' compensation premiums, the board can hold you responsible for some of those unpaid premiums. Getting a clearance before work starts, and again before you make payments, is how you protect yourself.

You may also be asked for your own clearance letter. General contractors, property managers, municipalities and larger clients often require one before they let a small business start work on their site.

How it works

Before the contractor starts, ask for their board account number and request a clearance from the board where the work is done. Many boards let you look it up online with the contractor's account number or name. Save a copy with the date.

Keep it current. A clearance is valid only for a limited period, so request a new one before each payment for a longer job, and before the final payment. If a clearance is refused or lapses, talk to the contractor before you pay them, and check with the board about what you may owe.

Check for coverage gaps. A contractor working alone, without employees, may not be required to have coverage in some provinces, and may not be able to get a standard clearance. Ask the board how that situation is handled and whether optional coverage is available. Do not assume that a contractor's own business insurance replaces workers' compensation coverage.

Common mistakes: requesting a clearance only once at the start of a long job, accepting a contractor's old PDF instead of checking with the board yourself, and not checking subcontractors that your contractor brings in.

WCB clearance letter by province

Most boards offer clearances, but whether you are liable for a contractor's unpaid premiums, how long a clearance is valid, and who needs one differ by province.

Where the work is done	The rule
British Columbia	WorkSafeBC advises getting a clearance letter before and after you receive services from a contractor.
Alberta	WCB Alberta advises getting a clearance before a contractor starts work for you; a clearance also lets you release the final payment on a contract. A letter may be denied if premiums are unpaid. Letters can be emailed, faxed or printed online.
Ontario	In construction, without a clearance the principal may be liable for the contractor's payments owing to the WSIB, up to the value of the labour portion of the contract. A clearance is valid for up to 90 calendar days, depending on the date it is issued, and can be renewed. It is issued only if the contractor's premiums are paid up to date.

We have not yet confirmed the clearance rules of the other boards. Check with the workers' compensation board in the province where the work is done.

Example: Hiring a roofer for a restaurant

Nina owns a restaurant in Kamloops and hires a roofing company with a crew of four to replace her roof. The job will take two weeks, with a deposit at the start and the balance at the end.

Before the crew arrives, Nina asks the roofer for their WorkSafeBC account number and requests a clearance letter from WorkSafeBC. She saves a copy. Before she pays the balance two weeks later, she requests a fresh clearance, confirms the account is still in good standing, and then pays.

Free WCB calculators

Staffkin's free WCB premium calculator helps you estimate your own premiums, which is useful when quoting work that requires a clearance.

Estimate your WCB premium

Free tools and guides for this

WCB premium calculator

Questions about WCB clearance letter

Why do I need a WCB clearance letter for a contractor?

Depending on the province, if your contractor does not pay their workers' compensation premiums, the board may hold you responsible for some of them. A clearance shows their account is in good standing.

How often should I get a clearance?

Before work starts and again before each payment on a longer job, because clearances are valid only for a limited period.

Can I get a clearance letter for my own business?

Yes. Most boards let registered employers download their own clearance or letter of good standing, often online.

Official sources

General information for Canadian employers, not legal advice. Rules differ by province and territory and change over time, so check with your provincial employment standards office (or the federal Labour Program if you are federally regulated) before you rely on it. See employment standards by province.

Checked against official sources on 5 November 2026.