Overview
A Certificate of Qualification is the official document that shows a person is qualified in a skilled trade in Ontario. It is issued by Skilled Trades Ontario in trades that have a certifying exam, after the person passes that exam and meets the other requirements.
There is not one exam. Each trade with a certifying exam has its own. If a trade is Red Seal in Ontario, you write the Red Seal exam and receive an interprovincial Certificate of Qualification. If it is not, you write an Ontario-only exam. Skilled Trades Ontario develops the provincial exams and works with Red Seal and the other jurisdictions on the Red Seal ones.
In compulsory trades, you need the certificate to work legally, and it must be renewed. In non-compulsory trades it does not need renewal, but it can help with jobs and with marketing your skills.
Who can apply
You can sit a certifying exam in one of two ways.
Apprenticeship graduates. Complete an Ontario apprenticeship in a trade that has a certifying exam. Skilled Trades Ontario then issues a 1-year Provisional Certificate of Qualification automatically, and an Authorization to Test letter that you need to schedule the exam. In compulsory trades the provisional certificate lets you keep working while you prepare.
Experienced workers. If you have not completed an Ontario apprenticeship, apply for a Trade Equivalency Assessment. You must give verifiable evidence of competency in the skills in the trade's training standard, and experience at least equal to the apprenticeship's total training time, including on-the-job and in-school hours. Experience can come from outside Canada, from another province or territory without an equivalent certificate, or from the Canadian Forces.
Exam pattern
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Question type | Multiple choice, four options |
| Number of questions | Between 90 and 150, depending on the trade (June 2022 guide) |
| Time | Up to four hours (2022 guide); ask for extra time when you schedule, not on the day |
| Pass mark | 70% |
The June 2022 guide says a practical exam can be an option, for a small number of trades where one exists, and costs more than the written exam. Practical exams are not available for all trades.
Marking and results
You need 70% to pass. The pass mark applies to both provincial and Red Seal exams. According to the June 2022 guide, results are posted to your Skilled Trades Ontario portal account, and you are told by email if one is on file. The score report shows marks by section, which helps you plan a rewrite.
Fees
Exam attempt: $150 plus HST per attempt, as listed on the Skilled Trades Ontario site in 2026. Ontario apprentices who complete their program on or after January 1, 2025 get a fee waiver for the first written certifying exam attempt. It does not cover practical exams or study costs.
Trade Equivalency Assessment: $235 plus HST, as listed on the site in 2026.
Renewal: journeypersons in compulsory trades pay an annual fee of $60 plus HST.
How to apply
Confirm you are eligible: either a completed Ontario apprenticeship (with your completion form submitted and a Certificate of Apprenticeship) or an approved Trade Equivalency Assessment.
Pay the exam fee on your Skilled Trades Ontario Portal account. After payment you receive an Authorization to Test letter by email, or by mail if you have no email.
Book through the portal: choose Examination, enter your Skilled Trades Ontario ID, pick the exam type, then choose a date, time and location and confirm.
If you need accommodations, request them before you book, with supporting documentation where it is required. Exams are offered in English or French.
Experienced workers start with the Trade Equivalency Assessment application, found under the Experienced workers section of the site.
After the exam
If you pass, you receive your Certificate of Qualification. A new certificate design took effect on November 1, 2023 and is being issued in phases to people who qualified as journeypersons on or after January 1, 2022. Certificates issued before that date stay valid.
If you do not pass, the scheduling page states a mandatory 30-day wait before you can retake the exam, and you pay the exam fee again. The June 2022 guide described a shorter 15-day wait, so rely on the current page. If you fail twice, the 2022 guide says you may be asked to show proof of upgrading.
Preparation tips
Use the counselling sheet for your trade, where one exists, and your apprenticeship training standard.
Take the self-assessment checklists in the Skilled Trades Ontario exam preparation guide.
Attempt the exam soon after finishing your program, while the material is fresh. The site recommends this.
Read your score report after any unsuccessful attempt and focus on the weak sections.
Is the exam the same for every trade?
No. Each trade has its own exam, and Red Seal trades use the Red Seal exam.
Do I need to renew a Certificate of Qualification?
Only in compulsory trades, where an annual renewal fee applies. Non-compulsory trade certificates do not need renewal.