Tuesday, September 16, 2025

A New Way to Challenge the Red Seal Exam at STO

Are you a skilled labourer or uncertified tradesperson working in a noncompulsory trade in Ontario and have not completed a formal apprenticeship in Ontario? Or are you an apprentice who is continuously gaining hours on the job but facing barriers like limited access to trade school or delays in apprenticeship progression?

Ontario Construction Construction

If this sounds like you, it might be time to consider a different route to certification: challenging the Red Seal exam through the trade equivalency assessment (TEA).

What is a Trade Equivalency Assessment?

The trade equivalency assessment is a process offered by Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) that allows experienced tradespeople to demonstrate that their skills and work experience are equal to someone who has completed an Ontario apprenticeship in that trade.

If approved, applicants can go directly to writing the certification exam for their trade—the same exam an apprentice would write upon completing training.

Who Can Apply?

This option is ideal for people who

have significant work experience in a skilled trade,

have not completed an Ontario apprenticeship, and

are unable to access trade school or formal training for any reason.

How Does It Work?

Here’s a simple overview of how to apply for a trade equivalency assessment.

1. Learn about the process. Visit the Skilled Trades Ontario website to learn more about TEA, and download the Application Guide. This guide explains what you need to submit and how to complete your application. You can find it at skilledtradesontario.ca/experienced-workers/trade-equivalency-assessment/.

2. Collect the required documents. Applicants need to complete and submit the following:

a trade qualifier application form,
a work experience verification form for each reference, and
letters of reference from past supervisors or employers (ideally from a licensed journeyperson in the same trade).

Each letter should be written on company letterhead, signed by a manager, and clearly describe the applicant’s trade experience, past projects, skills demonstrated, and time spent in the trade.

3. Add extra supporting documents. While not required, applicants can strengthen their application by including other documents such as:

a letter of support from your CLAC representative,
employer records of hours worked since the first day on the job,
your apprenticeship logbook (if available),
certificates from training programs, and
transcripts from trade or technical school.

The more detailed and well-organized your application is, the better the chance of approval.

4. Submit the application and pay the fee. Completed documents should be emailed to assessments@skilledtradesontario.ca. Applicants must then call Skilled Trades Ontario at 1-855-299-0028 or 647-847-3000 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST) to pay the required assessment fee.

5. Wait for a decision. Once submitted, STO typically begins reviewing the file within three to four weeks. If the application is complete and meets all requirements, approval can take approximately six to ten weeks. If successful, the person is approved to take the Red Seal exam. If not, STO will explain the reason and how to reapply.

Ready to Write the Exam?

Once approved, CLAC can also support you with study tools and exam preparation. Just reach out to us at apprenticeshipcentral@clac.ca to learn more about exam support.

Know Someone Who Might Be Eligible?

If you know someone who has years of hands-on experience but hasn’t gone through a formal apprenticeship, share this information with them. Challenging the Red Seal exam through the TEA process might be the right next step for their career.

For any questions or additional help, contact us at apprenticeshipcentral@clac.ca. We’re here to support you or anyone you know in navigating this path to certification.

A New Way to Challenge the Red Seal Exam at STO

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