TSSA Gas Technician 1 (G1) exam-day guide
TSSA Gas Technician 1 (G1) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original document (driver's licence, passport, or provincial photo card) with a signature and photo. The name must match your registration exactly. If you have changed your name, bring supporting documentation. Confirm with the provider which ID types they accept and whether a photocopy is ever allowed - most testing centres require original, unexpired ID.
Confirmation of your test booking
Print or save the booking confirmation email showing date, time, and location. Some centres ask for the confirmation number at check-in. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital copy on your phone is acceptable.
Know your exam format and duration
Confirm with the provider before test day: number of questions, time limit, whether it is paper or computer-based, whether the practical/hands-on portion is separate from the written portion, and what pass mark applies. Do not rely on second-hand information from forums or study groups.
Review the current code editions listed in your exam outline
The G1 written exam tests the B149.1 Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code, the propane storage and handling code (CSA B149.2), and applicable Ontario regulation (TSSA Act and gas regulations). Confirm with the provider which editions are referenced, because code editions change and the exam follows the edition named in the current outline.
Bring approved reference materials only if permitted
Some gas technician exams allow a code book or formula sheet; many do not. Confirm with the provider the exact list of permitted items, whether tabs and handwritten notes in a code book are allowed, and whether the centre supplies a code book. Do not bring annotated materials unless you have written confirmation they are permitted.
Calculator (if permitted)
Confirm with the provider whether a basic calculator is allowed and whether programmable or graphing calculators are prohibited. Many centres supply scratch paper; ask in advance so you do not arrive without what you need.
Plan your route and arrival time
Do a route check the day before (transit closures, parking, construction). Aim to arrive 30 minutes early. Confirm with the provider what happens if you arrive late - many centres refuse entry after a set grace period and treat it as a missed appointment.
Leave prohibited items at home or in the car
Phones, smartwatches, notes, and bags are typically not allowed at the desk. Confirm with the provider where personal items are stored and whether lockers are provided.
Sort out accessibility or accommodation requests in advance
If you need extra time, a separate room, or other accommodation, request it well before test day. Confirm with the provider the deadline and the documentation they require; accommodation is rarely granted on the day.
Rest and practical preparation the night before
Sleep, eat a normal breakfast, and avoid last-minute cramming of new material. Review only your own summary sheets of formulas, conversion factors, and code sections you already know.
Bring water and a snack for after the test
Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed at the desk; assume not, and plan to eat before entry. Long written exams can run several hours.
Confirm the pass/fail and rewrite policy in writing
Ask the provider how and when results are released, what the pass mark is, and what the rewrite waiting period and fees are. Get this in writing before test day so you are not surprised by the outcome process.
Plan the day
Re-read your booking confirmation and verify the address, start time, and check-in time. Confirm with the provider the permitted-items list and the code editions referenced. Do one full timed practice set under exam conditions, then review only the topics you got wrong - do not start new material this late.
Build a one-page summary of the facts you keep missing: conversion factors (for example kW to Btu/h, inches of water column to Pa), pipe-sizing steps, ventilation and combustion-air requirements, and clearance rules. Writing it by hand is the review; you will likely not be allowed to bring it in.
Confirm your transport and parking plan. Pack your ID, booking confirmation, and any permitted materials in one bag. Check the weather and leave buffer time. Stop studying by early evening and get a full night's sleep.
Eat a proper meal, arrive at the centre about 30 minutes early, and keep your phone off and stowed before you enter the building. Re-read only your one-page summary in the waiting area, then put it away.
Present your ID and confirmation, follow the proctor's instructions on personal items, and ask any procedural questions (break policy, scratch paper, how to flag a question) before the clock starts.
Read each question fully and watch for words like 'minimum', 'maximum', 'not', and 'except'. Answer the questions you know first, flag the long calculation items, and return to them. For calculation questions, write the formula, substitute units, and sanity-check the answer against typical field values.
If there is no penalty for wrong answers, ensure every question is answered. Check that you have not skipped a page or a section, and confirm the submission process with the proctor before you leave.
Note which topics felt weak while they are fresh, in case you need to rewrite. Confirm with the provider how and when results are issued and what the next step is for your certification file.
Rules to check
Bring original, unexpired government-issued photo ID. The name must match your registration. If it does not, confirm with the provider before test day what alternative documentation is accepted - do not assume a health card or employee badge will work.
Arrive at the check-in time stated in your confirmation. Late arrival may mean refused entry and a lost fee. Confirm with the provider the exact grace period and the missed-appointment policy.
Do not bring phones, smartwatches, notes, or unauthorised reference materials to the desk. Confirm with the provider which reference materials, if any, are permitted and whether tabs or handwritten notes in a code book are allowed.
Follow the proctor's instructions exactly on starting, stopping, breaks, and leaving the room. If you need to leave the room, raise your hand and wait to be escorted; do not take materials with you.
Confirm the break policy in advance. Some exams are continuous with no scheduled break; others allow a supervised break that does not stop the clock. Plan hydration and restroom visits around whatever the provider states.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test, and do not discuss or share specific exam questions afterward. Exam content is confidential, and sharing it can invalidate your result.
Scoring and pass marks are set by the certification body, not the test centre. Confirm with the provider the pass mark, how results are reported, and the rewrite waiting period and fees before you sit the exam.
If something goes wrong during the test - equipment failure, a disturbance, or illness - tell the proctor immediately and ask for it to be documented. Confirm with the provider afterward how such incidents are handled for scoring or rescheduling.