Golf Professional in BC: PGA of Canada Apprentice to Class A (Costs, PAT, Pay)

By Mark Dupuis · Last reviewed: November 1, 2026

LicenceNone; PGA of Canada is the industry standardsource

Playing Ability Test$175 + tax (valid 1 year)source

Training$3,050–$3,800 total; first-year courses $925 + taxsource

TimeUp to six years to Class Asource

Median pay$30.00/h median (WorkBC, NOC 53201)source

On this page

Step by step

Be 18+ and work in the golf industry at least 400 paid hours a year (verified by your employer).
Pass the Playing Ability Test (PAT); $175 + tax, extra attempts $150–$215 + tax.
Join as an Apprentice and take the first-year courses ($925 + tax).
Finish training (about $3,050–$3,800 total) within six years to reach Class A.

Steps from source.

	Detail	Source
Issuing body · Url	Official page	source
Credential	INDUSTRY-STANDARD: PGA of Canada Apprentice / Class A	source
Licence status	industry standard; no government licence found	source
Requirements · Apprentice	18+; working in the golf industry (verified by employer) at least 400 paid hours a year; pass the Playing Ability Test (PAT)	source
Requirements · Pat	PAT registration $175 + tax, valid 1 year; each extra attempt $150-$215 + tax; run by the Zones	source
Requirements · Training	First-year courses $925 + tax; total training $3,050-$3,800 over a six-year time frame	source
Program cost	$3,050-$3,800 training plus PAT $175	source
Program length	Up to six years to Class A	source
Pay	Coaches (NOC 53201), B.C.: low $18.50/hr, median $30.00/hr, high $42.31/hr (2025 Job Bank wage data)	source

The PAT is run by PGA of Canada zones. Register through PGA of Canada. (PGA of Canada: membership roadmap)
Nobody legitimate charges a fee to hire you. Be wary of job offers that need payment first. (Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: job scams)

Do I need PGA membership to give lessons?

No law requires it, but golf courses usually hire PGA of Canada members.

What do golf pros earn?

WorkBC groups them under coaches (NOC 53201): $18.50 low, $30.00 median, $42.31 high per hour.

This page relies on the official pages below. Rules, fees and processes change, so check the authority before you apply or spend money.

Links checked November 1, 2026. Found an error or a broken link? Report it.

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