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:

 

Certification in these trades is voluntary:

A

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

G

H

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

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

U

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..