Trade Certification


To be employed in certain skilled trades, workers must have a Certificate of Qualification. This certificate states that they have passed the provincial qualification exam that assesses their knowledge of their skilled trade.

To write the provincial qualification exam, applicants must prove they have experience in the trade. Examples of proof include things like:

  • Completion of an apprenticeship contract
  • Documentation showing that training time meets at least minimum industry standards
  • Proof of relevant experience as a skilled worker.

Do I need to be certified?

There are two categories of trades in Ontario. To work in some trades, you must be certified. Certification in other trades is voluntary.

You must be certified to work in these trades:

  • Auto Body& Collision Damager Repairer Br. 1
  • Auto Body Repairer Br. 2 
    •                                     
  • Alignment & Brakes Technician 
  • Automotive Electronic Accessory Technician
  • Automotive Service Technician 
  • Electrician: Construction & Maintenance 
  • Electrician: Domestic & Rural 
  • Fuel & Electrical Systems Technician  
  • Hairstylist 
  • Hoisting Engineer : Mobile Crane Operator, Br. 1 
  • Hoisting Engineer: Mobile Crane Operator, Br. 2 
  • Hoisting Engineer: Tower Crane Operator,Br. 3 
  • Motorcycle Technician 
  • Plumber  
  • Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic 
  • Residential Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic
  • Sheet Metal Worker
  • Steamfitter 
  • Transmission Technician 
  • Truck & Coach Technician 
  • Truck Trailer Service Technician 
    •                      

     

 

Certification in these trades is voluntary:

A

  • Aboriginal  Early  Childhood Educator 
  • Agriculture - Dairy Herdsperson 
  • Agricultural Equipment Technician 
  • Agriculture - Fruit Grower  
  • Agriculture - Swine Herdsperson 
  • Aircraft Maintenance Engineer 
  • Appliance Service Technician   
  • Arborist  
  • Architectural Glass and Metal Technician
  • Automotive Glass Technician 
  • Automotive Painter  

B

  • Baker 
  • Baker-Patissier   
  • Bearings Mechanic     
  • Blacksmith        
  • Brick & Stone Mason    

C

  • Cabinetmaker  
  • Cement (Concrete) Finisher   
  • Cement Mason  
  • Chef      
  • Child & Youth Worker 
  • Composite Structures Technician         
  • CNC Programmer          
  • Construction Craft Worker      
  • Construction Boilermaker   
  • Construction Millwright     
  • Cook - Assistant Br. 1   
  • Cook Br. 2 

D

  • Developmental Services Worker  
  • Die Designer    
  • Draftsperson – Mechanical    
  • Draftsperson - Plastic Mould Design   
  • Draftsperson - Tool & Die Design   
  • Drywall, Acoustic & Lathing Applicator  
  • Drywall Finisher and Plasterer 

E

  • Early Childhood Educator       
  • Early Childhood Educator – Inclusion Practices
  • Educational Assistant     
  • Electric Motor System Technician  
  • Electrical Control (Machine) Builder  
  • Entertainment Industry Power Technician 
  • Electrician – Street Railway Electrician Linesperson
  • Electrician (Signal Maintenance) (TTC)
  • Electronic Service Technician  
  • Elevating Devices Mechanic    
  • Exterior Insulated Finishing Systems Mechanic 

F

  • Facilities Mechanic  
  • Facilities Technician          
  • Fitter – Assembler (Motor Assembly) 
  • Fitter Welder   
  • Floor Covering Installer 

G

  • Gemsetter/Goldsmith  
  • General Carpenter 
  • General Machinist  

H

  • Hardware, Lumber and Building Materials Retailer
  • Heat & Frost Insulator 
  • Heavy Duty Equipment Technician  
  • Heavy Equipment Operator: Dozer  
  • Heavy Equipment Operator: Excavator
  • Heavy Equipment Operator: Tractor Loader Backhoe
  • Horse Groom   
  • Horse Harness Maker   
  • Horticultural Technician   
  • Hydraulic/Pneumatic Mechanic

I

  • Industrial Electrician  
  • Industrial Mechanic Millwright    
  • Information Technology Hardware Technician 
  • Information Technology- Contact Centre-Technical Support Agent 
  • Information Technology Network Technician  
  • Information Technology – Contact Centre – Inside Sales Agent
  • Information Technology – Contact Centre – Customer Care Agent
  • Instrumentation and Control Technician
  • Ironworker-Structural and Ornamental  Br 2  
  • Ironworker- Generalist  Br 1   

L

  • Locksmith     

M

  • Machine Tool Builder & Integrator  
  • Marine Engine Technician  
  • Metal Fabricator (Fitter)  
  • Micro Electronics Manufacturer  
  • Motive Power Machinist 
  • Mould Designer      
  • Mould or Die Finisher  
  • Mould Maker  

N

  • Native Clothing & Crafts Artisan 
  • Native Residential Construction Worker  
  • Network Cabling Specialist    

O

  • Optics Technician (Lens and Prism Maker)

P

  • Packaging Machine Mechanic  
  • Painter and Decorator Br 1 Commercial & Residential   
  • Painter and Decorator Br 2 Industrial P & D 
  • Parts Technician    
  • Pattern Maker         
  • Pool & Hot Tub/Spa Service Technician    
  • Pool/Hot Tub & Spa  Installer 
  • Powered Lift Truck Technician
  • Powerline Technician  
  • Precast Concrete Erector
  • Precast Concrete Finisher 
  • Precision Metal Fabricator 
  • Process Operator-Power  
  • Process Operator: Refinery, Chemical & Liquid Processes 
  • Process Operator:  Food Manufacturing  
  • Pump Systems Installer 

R

  • Railway Car Technician 
  • Recreation Vehicle Technician 
  • Reinforcing Rodworker Br 3 
  • Relay and Instrumentation Technician 
  • Restoration Mason  
  • Retail Meat Cutter    
  • Roll Grinder/Turner  
  • Roofer  

S

  • Saddlery 
  • Saw Filer/Fitter  
  • Ski Lift Mechanic 
  • Small Engine Technician 
  • Special Events Coordinator 
  • Sprinkler & Fire Protection Installer  
  • Surface Blaster  
  • Surface Mount Assembler   

T

  • Terrazzo, Tile & Marble Setter  
  • Thin Film Technician 
  • Tire Wheel and Rim Mechanic 
  • Tool & Cutter Grinder   
  • Tool & Die Maker 
  • Tool & Gauge Inspector 
  • Tool/Tooling Maker      
  • Tractor Trailer Commercial Driver  
  • Turf Equipment Technician  

U

  • Utility Arborist  

W

  • Water Well Driller 
  • Welder
  • Wooden Boat Rebuilder/Repairer

Important to know!

Even though certification for these trades is voluntary, many employers and unions may still ask you for a certificate of Qualification.

Where can I learn more?

Talk to an Employment Ontario service provider in your community and find out if apprenticeship is right for you. You can use the map feature on this website to find this service in your area..