Pathway for experienced workers

Increasingly in demand across many skilled trades, a journeyperson certification validates to employers, clients, and the public that you have credible and recognized knowledge and competence to perform your job well. The challenge certification process provides an opportunity to have your applicable trades-related work experience, skills and knowledge assessed against the standards for certification, allowing you to become certified without having completed or started an apprenticeship. This is a great way to have your hard work and skills recognized.

If you are planning to get off the tools in the next few years, there is a pathway for you too!

What you need to know

If you are a trade worker who plans to get off the tools before December 1, 2028, click here for more information. 

If you are a trade worker who wants to become certified by challenging a certification, you are a Trade Qualifier. See the following section for more information. 

A Trade Qualifier is an uncertified worker in one of the Skilled Trades Certification trades who has:

• extensive practical experience in their trade, and
• more than 9,000 work-based training hours (approximately 5.5 years) that can be verified by previous employers,

Get certified by challenging a certification exam

Before you apply to challenge, please ensure you have met the following criteria: 

• You have satisfied the minimum required work-based training hours in the Skilled Trades Certification trade you are applying for (i.e., 1.5 times the work-based training hours required for completion of the apprenticeship program of your trade). Visit the program page of your trade below for more details.

• You have experience performing at least 70% of the job tasks listed in the employer/ statutory declaration form of your trade.

• The references listed on your application can be contacted via phone to verify your work experience. References that cannot be contacted can result in your application being denied.

Applying for Temporary Authorizations

If you plan to get off the tools before December 1, 2028 and want to continue working until then, you can apply for a temporary authorization if you can demonstrate the competencies and at least 36,000 hours of work experience (approximately 23 years) in your trade. This will allow you to continue providing your valuable experience as a trade worker in the system, setting you up to transition to your future plans.

A process to support Temporary Authorizations will be available to qualified workers who require additional time starting December 1, 2023.  Please complete the contact form to the left to receive updates about how to apply for a temporary authorization.