Forms for Tradespersons

As of January 8th, all applications and requests have been migrated to our new Apprenticeship Management System (Apprenticeship Management System).  

This will include Blaster courses, replacements and equivalencies for journeypersons, exam application forms (including Trade Qualifiers and Military Equivalencies), release of information forms, transcript request forms, and Atlantic Trades Business Seal Applications.  

To link your existing account with your Apprenticeship Management System account, follow the instructions on our AMS webpage.  Please refer to the steps for those with existing accounts with NSAA, do not create a new account.  

If you're experiencing any difficulties accessing the Apprenticeship Management System, please contact the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency.

Renew Certificate of Qualification

Effective October 7, 2025, renewal of your Certificate of Qualification and identification card is no longer required.

What This Means
  • Trades professionals in 13 compulsory trades and 2 non-compulsory trades will no longer need to renew their Certificates of Qualification or identification cards every five years.
  • Renewal will continue only for the blaster trade, where re-certification is required to do re-certification training.  
    The change reduces administrative burden and saves trades professionals time and money.
  • Previously, Nova Scotia and Ontario were the only Canadian jurisdictions requiring trade certification renewals.
  • Trades professionals in 13 compulsory trades and 2 non-compulsory trades will no longer need to renew their Certificates of Qualification or identification cards every five years.
  • Renewal will continue only for the blaster trade, where re-certification is required to do re-certification training.  
    The change reduces administrative burden and saves trades professionals time and money.
  • Previously, Nova Scotia and Ontario were the only Canadian jurisdictions requiring trade certification renewals.
What You Need to Know
  • Trades professionals no longer need to pay the $73.53 renewal fee or spend time submitting renewal applications.
  • Trade professionals can still voluntarily replace their certificates or ID cards. This will be done through the replacement process at a cost of $36.82 for both and $14.76 for the identification card only.
  • Employers and industry stakeholders should note that credentials remain valid without an expiry date.
  • Trades professionals no longer need to pay the $73.53 renewal fee or spend time submitting renewal applications.
  • Trade professionals can still voluntarily replace their certificates or ID cards. This will be done through the replacement process at a cost of $36.82 for both and $14.76 for the identification card only.
  • Employers and industry stakeholders should note that credentials remain valid without an expiry date.
Why This Change is Being Made
  • The change eliminates unnecessary red tape and aligns Nova Scotia with most other provinces and territories.
  • Administrative processes for the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency will be simplified, allowing staff to focus on other supports and services for trades professionals.
  • The change keeps safety standards in place for trades like Blasters that require ongoing recertification.
  • The change eliminates unnecessary red tape and aligns Nova Scotia with most other provinces and territories.
  • Administrative processes for the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency will be simplified, allowing staff to focus on other supports and services for trades professionals.
  • The change keeps safety standards in place for trades like Blasters that require ongoing recertification.
What Happens Next
  • The change is effective immediately for all affected trades except Blaster.
  • Trades professionals and employers do not need to take any action unless they wish to update credentials voluntarily.
  • The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency will re-issue credentials without an expiry date over the coming months. There is no cost to this for the tradesperson. 
  • The change is effective immediately for all affected trades except Blaster.
  • Trades professionals and employers do not need to take any action unless they wish to update credentials voluntarily.
  • The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency will re-issue credentials without an expiry date over the coming months. There is no cost to this for the tradesperson. 

Q&A

1. Why is this change being made?

The change reduces red tape, saves time and money for trades professionals, and streamlines administrative processes while maintaining safety standards.
 

The change reduces red tape, saves time and money for trades professionals, and streamlines administrative processes while maintaining safety standards.
 

2. Which trades are affected?

The change affects 13 compulsory trades and 2 non-compulsory trades. The Blaster trade will still require renewal due to the requirement for re-certification training.  
 

The change affects 13 compulsory trades and 2 non-compulsory trades. The Blaster trade will still require renewal due to the requirement for re-certification training.  
 

3. I have already submitted my renewal, what should I do?

Agency staff have been tracking renewal applications and will be issuing credentials without an expiry date over the next several months. You can also expect a full refund to be processed on your fee. Please watch your emails for your link to the digital credentials through MyCreds.

Agency staff have been tracking renewal applications and will be issuing credentials without an expiry date over the next several months. You can also expect a full refund to be processed on your fee. Please watch your emails for your link to the digital credentials through MyCreds.

4. My certificate and identification card are going to expire in the next few years, what should I do?

Agency staff will be issuing certificates and identification cards to journeypersons over the next 24 months that do not have an expiry date. Please ensure your contact information is up to date. You can contact us to update your information.
 

Agency staff will be issuing certificates and identification cards to journeypersons over the next 24 months that do not have an expiry date. Please ensure your contact information is up to date. You can contact us to update your information.
 

5. Do trades professionals still have the option to update their credentials?

Yes. Trades professionals can voluntarily update their certificates or identification cards through a replacement application. 
 

5. How will this affect administrative work at the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency?

Eliminating mandatory renewals will reduce administrative work and allow staff to focus on other services and supports for apprentices and employers.
 

7. When does this change take effect?

The change is effective immediately for all affected trades except the Blaster trade, which will continue to follow the existing renewal requirements.