October 13, 2026
You don't need a licence to become a network systems administrator in British Columbia, but employers usually look for college training in network or system administration, and some also expect vendor certifications. A common pathway combines that training with certifications such as CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and Cisco CCNA, plus hands-on workplace experience.
This guide maps that pathway with current BC wage, outlook and certification data, plus a 2027 exam change worth planning around.
Are Network Systems Administrators Regulated in BC?
No. Network systems administration is not a regulated profession in BC, so you don't need a licence or registration with a regulatory body to work in the role. According to Job Bank's employment requirements for NOC 22220, registration is required only in Saskatchewan.
Instead, employers set their own hiring standards. Job Bank notes that:
- A college or other program in computer science, network administration, web technology or a related field is usually required
- Certification or training from software vendors may be required by some employers
In Canada, the role falls under NOC 22220, computer network and web technicians. WorkBC's career profile lists network administrator, network system administrator, server administrator, LAN administrator and network support technician among the job titles in this group. In practice, this means your training, certifications and hands-on experience are what employers use to judge readiness.
How to Become a Network Systems Administrator in BC: Step by Step
Because employers set the hiring standard, the pathway follows what they screen for: training, then certification, then supervised workplace experience. WorkBC lists the typical education for this role as a diploma or certificate in network or system administration, technology support or a related field, and notes that certification is not required but may improve job prospects.
| Step | What It Involves | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Build IT fundamentals | Operating systems, hardware and basic security | Every later certification assumes this base |
| 2. Complete diploma or certificate training | Networks, servers, Windows, Linux and cloud | Matches the education WorkBC lists |
| 3. Prepare for CompTIA A+ | Hardware, operating systems and troubleshooting | A foundation certification for IT support |
| 4. Prepare for CompTIA Network+ | Network models, addressing, routing, switching and security | Proves vendor-neutral networking knowledge |
| 5. Prepare for Cisco CCNA | Configuring and managing Cisco routers and switches | Focuses on Cisco network devices |
| 6. Gain workplace experience | A practicum or support role | Turns lab skills into workplace experience |
Which Certifications Do Network Administrators Need in BC?
None are legally required, but CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and Cisco CCNA form a common certification sequence for network administration. Because there is no licence for this role, certifications act as a hiring signal that shows employers what you know.
| Certification | Current Exam | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|
| CompTIA A+ | 220-1201 (Core 1) and 220-1202 (Core 2) | V15 launched March 25, 2025; up to 90 questions in 90 minutes; Core 1 passing score is 675 on a 900-point scale |
| CompTIA Network+ | N10-009 | Launched June 20, 2024; passing score is 720; retirement estimated for 2027 |
| Cisco CCNA | 200-301 v1.1 | Last day to test is February 2, 2027; CCNA v2.0 begins February 3, 2027 |
CompTIA recommends 12 months of hands-on IT support experience for A+, and A+ plus nine to 12 months of networking experience for Network+. These are recommendations, not prerequisites, but they explain why training that includes real workplace hours carries weight.
The CCNA Timing Trap for 2027 Graduates
If you plan to write the CCNA after February 2, 2027, you will sit CCNA v2.0, not the current exam. That includes many people starting a year-long training path this fall. Cisco says security and AI are "woven throughout" the new version, which also adds more troubleshooting tasks. Before booking your exam, check Cisco's published exam topics so your study materials match the version you will actually write.
How Much Do Network Administrators Make in BC?
Network administrators in BC earn a median of $31.25 an hour, according to Job Bank wage data for NOC 22220, updated November 19, 2025. Wages in BC range from $20.00 an hour at the low end to $49.04 at the high end.
Job Bank also reports that 93.1% of BC workers in this occupation receive at least one non-wage benefit, such as a pension plan, health and dental coverage or paid leave, compared with 87.4% nationally. For a career changer, this means total compensation is broader than the hourly rate.
What Is the Job Outlook for Network Administrators in BC?
WorkBC forecasts 4,520 job openings for NOC 22220 in BC from 2025 to 2035, according to its career profile for computer network and web technicians.
Where those openings are matters as much as how many there are:
| Where Openings Are Forecast (2025-2035) | Openings | Share of BC Total |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland/Southwest region | 3,330 | 74% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast region | 690 | 15% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services industry | 2,820 | 62% |
In practice, most opportunities are concentrated in the Lower Mainland, and most sit in firms that deliver technical services to other organizations. If you live outside the Lower Mainland, it pays to look closely at public administration, healthcare and education employers, which WorkBC also lists among the hiring industries.
Why AI Skills Now Matter in Network Administration
Job Bank's recent trends for this occupation, updated July 28, 2026, flag the "use of advanced software and automation which may result in more complex tasks and fewer positions in the future." Read this alongside WorkBC's top skills for the role: critical thinking (71%), systems analysis (61%) and monitoring (61%). In practice, this means automation shifts routine work to tools, and administrators who can direct and check those tools stand out.
AI is already part of everyday administration work:
- Interpreting server and network logs to narrow down a fault
- Drafting PowerShell scripts for repetitive tasks
- Generating configuration documentation and network diagrams
- Clarifying and prioritizing help desk tickets
The catch is verification. An AI-suggested configuration can still open a security gap, so administrators must test every output before it reaches a live network.
How CDI College's Training Maps to This Pathway
CDI College's online network administration training in BC is a 56-week, 1,120-hour diploma that covers each stage of the pathway above. The Network Systems Administrator with AI program helps students prepare for the CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and Cisco CCNA certification exams.
| Training Stage | What Students Cover | Exam or Skill Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | PC hardware, Windows, AI-supported help desk work and networking fundamentals | CompTIA A+ (220-1201 and 220-1202) and Network+ (N10-009) |
| Phase 2 | Windows client and server, internetworking, Cisco devices and hybrid infrastructure | Cisco routing and switching skills |
| Phase 3 | Secure cloud deployment, automation and Linux administration | Skills for hybrid and cloud roles |
| Practicum | 200 hours (10 weeks) at a job site | Workplace experience |
Throughout the program, students use generative AI for research, troubleshooting, scripting and documentation, and learn to assess AI output for accuracy and security. This reflects the broader approach behind how CDI College is building AI literacy across its career training.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a network systems administrator in BC is a sequenced path: training, certifications in a sensible order, then workplace experience. The 2027 CCNA change and the growing role of AI make timing and verification skills worth planning for. Start with the step that matches where you are today.
Request more information about financial options, admission requirements and start dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a network administrator in BC?
Timelines vary with the training you choose and the experience you build. CDI College's Network Systems Administrator with AI diploma takes 56 weeks, including a 10-week practicum. Moving from a support role into administration then depends on the employer and your hands-on experience.
Can you become a network administrator without experience?
Many people start in roles such as network support technician or help desk support, then take on administration duties as they gain experience. Training that includes a practicum gives you supervised workplace experience to show employers.
Should you take CompTIA A+ or Network+ first?
A common starting point is CompTIA A+, which covers hardware, operating systems and troubleshooting. CompTIA recommends holding A+ before Network+, which focuses on networking concepts, infrastructure and security. CCNA usually comes after, once you have a solid networking foundation.
