WSIB clearance certificate verification.

What a clearance certificate is for

A principal is the party that hires a contractor or subcontractor. WSIB says it will not hold principals liable for unpaid premiums and other amounts a subcontractor owes for the period the clearance is valid.

WSIB also says a clearance number is valid for all of the business’s contracts, and that only registered businesses in good standing can obtain one. A new clearance is created automatically for a business that stays up to date on payments and reporting.

How long it lasts, and the renewal dates

A clearance is valid for up to 90 days from the date of issue. WSIB says most expire on the 20th of February, May, August and November, and that a clearance for the next period is not available until after the renewal date. For a job that runs across a renewal date, the clearance you checked at the start will lapse mid-job, so you need to check again afterwards.

That quarterly rhythm is the main reason people get caught: a certificate found in a file from three months ago is not evidence for today.

Who needs one, and who does not

For construction, WSIB says clearances must be in place before any construction work begins and for the duration of the work. It lists exceptions: home repairs or renovations hired by a home’s resident, occupant or a family member, and visitors such as delivery drivers, suppliers, technicians and utility employees. WSIB also notes that independent operators outside construction may not have to register, so may not be eligible for a clearance.

Both sides have duties. A principal must obtain a clearance from a subcontractor before work begins and for the duration. A contractor marked ineligible must bring its account up to date before a clearance is issued. If work proceeds without a valid clearance, WSIB says both the contractor and the hiring party commit an offence, with a maximum fine under the WSIA of $100,000.

A worked example (hypothetical)

A property manager hires a small framing company in October for a job expected to run into January. The company emails a clearance certificate issued the previous quarter. The manager asks for the number, opens WSIB quick access and finds the current clearance, which shows its validity dates. Because most clearances expire on the 20th of November, the manager notes that a fresh clearance will be needed after that date and schedules a check for the week after.

If the company cannot produce one, the manager does not start the work on faith. WSIB says a contractor marked ineligible must bring its account up to date first. The names and dates here are invented, and your facts decide the answer.

Common mistakes

Accepting a screenshot without a number, keeping an old certificate on file, and assuming a clearance covers a different business name are the usual errors. Another is not matching the legal name: a clearance is a number issued to a business, so compare the name on the certificate with the business you actually hired.

Also remember that a clearance is not a certificate of safety practice or insurance for a worker injured on your site. It speaks to premiums and registration.

Who this is for

Property managers, general contractors, condo boards, homeowners who hire a business (not for a family-member exception) and bookkeepers who need to file clearances.

What this page does not cover

• It does not run a search, store a number or confirm that any business is cleared. WSIB is the authority.
• It does not state a format for the certificate number, which WSIB’s pages do not give.
• It does not cover other provinces or the premium rate you would pay; see the related tools.
• It is not legal advice on liability or the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.