Background
Why are we reducing fees?
- The cost to challenge a certification exam will be reduced by nearly half, making it easier for experienced workers and newcomers to become certified.
- Trade Qualifier fees are being reduced from $644.15 to $350 to encourage more experienced tradespersons to achieve certification and mentor apprentices.
- This change is intended to make trade qualification more affordable at a time when the province needs more certified journeypersons to mentor apprentices.
What You Need to Know
- The new Trade Qualifier fee of $350 includes the examination fee.
- The fees for the construction trades will be waived until October 2026, and this new fee will be in place following that fee waiver period.
What Happens Next
- The change is effective immediately for all affected trades.
- The fee waiver for the construction trade remains in place until October 2026.
- For more information on the trade qualification process, please visit our Trade Qualifier page.
Q&A
What is a trade qualifier?
Trades persons who have worked in a skilled trade and have significant experience, but are not a registered apprentice or certified in the trade, can use the trade qualification process to challenge the certification examination.
- Why is this change being made?
To make certification more affordable for experienced trades professional who are not yet certified.
- Which trades are affected?
The reduction is for all trades. However, until October 2026, trade qualification fees for the construction trades have been waived. At that point, the fee will revert to $350.
- I have already submitted my trade qualifier application, what should I do?
If you have an unprocessed trade qualifier application into the Agency, you will be refunded the difference in the fee. However, refunds will not be issued to previous applications that have been approved.
- When does this change take effect?
The change is effective immediately.