Painter and 

Decorator

Painter and Decorators colour our world, bringing creativity to the structures around us. They turn drab surfaces into brilliant tapestries that serve all sorts of purposes for everyone to enjoy

As a Painter and Decorator, you’ll use your creative and attentive skills every day as you apply paintbrushes and rollers to surfaces. Your projects will come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from the beams of a bridge to painting a house interior.  

You’ll enjoy the variety of this career, where you apply both artistry and precision with your eye for detail, good sense of colour and steady hand.  

What You'll Learn

  • How to read specifications and estimate materials 
  • How to set up scaffolding and prepare surfaces 
  • How to repair cracks and holes in walls 
  • How to mix and thin paint to achieve different colours and textures 
  • How to apply paint, stain, lacquer, enamel, metal coating, wallpaper, and fabric  

Key Job Skills

  • Project planning and business management 
  • Workplace hazard management 
  • Surface preparation and painting 
  • Colour theory application 
  • Application of wall coverings and finishes 

Technical Training

To get certified, you will need to sign up for technical training at an approved training provider in addition to on-the-job training. 

Visit Trades Training BC and EducationPlannerBC for a comprehensive list of what programs are available in your trade at public and non-public schools. 

For a list of all approved non-public training providers, visit this page.

Technical Training 18 weeks over 3 years
Work-Based Training
4860 HOURS
General Skills
Creative Expressive Precise Visual

Program Updates:

Harmonized Program Information and Resources

In effect starting September 1, 2023

Program Profile

Occupational Description

Painter and Decorators apply paint, wallpaper, fabric and other finishes to interior and exterior surfaces of buildings and other structures. They repair cracks and holes in walls and prepare work surfaces by scraping, sanding, sand-blasting, hydro-blasting and steam-cleaning. They work on everything from home interiors, residential painting and wall covering work to industrial tanks and conveyors, corrosion control, wood staining, and surface preparation.  

Painter and Decorators must be able to determine the quantities and cost of materials needed and know the techniques for handling their specialized products. People practicing this trade should be aware of improvements in product quality, equipment upgrades, and trends in colour and wall coverings. Effective collaboration with interior designers and architects may also be part of the job. 

View Profile

Exam Information and Resources

Find exam-related information and resources under each menu item below.

Updates:

Information:

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Updates:

  • None

Information:

Updates:

  • September 2024: Program Update (IP Exams aligned to 2021 Red Seal Occupational Standards (RSOS)). A Comparative Analysis detailing changes between the 2011 NOA and 2021 RSOS can be found here. 

Information:

Program Information and Resources

Challenge the Trade

If you have significant work experience in a trade but have never been certified in Canada, you may apply to challenge the certification. Learn more about How to Challenge a Skilled Trade.

OR

If you sponsor apprentices but have never been certified in Canada, you may request to supervise and sign-off apprentices when they are ready to be certified. Please contact customer service for more information.