Friday, December 6, 2024

Certificate of Qualification Fee Update

As a part of the Ontario Government’s initiative to encourage people to get into the trades and keeping costs down so that it doesn’t create a barrier, an update to the C of Q fees will be made in 2025.

They will be removing the $150 fee for apprentices taking their Certificate of Qualification exam, making it easier for more people to start their career in the skilled trades. When combined with other fee reductions and removals that the province has implemented since 2019, Ontario is saving each apprentice at least $330, putting almost $3.6 million back into the pockets of nearly 11,000 apprentices.

This change comes along with other cost-saving initiatives by the government, you can read more about that here.

You can learn more about who is eligible to write their exam and other progression resources at Skilled Trades Ontario.

Certificate of Qualification FAQ

When am I eligible to write the C of Q?

To be eligible to write your exam you must have either completed your apprenticeship (on site and in-class training hours) and received a Certificate of Apprenticeship (Journeyperson Candidate), or been approved to take the exam through the Trade Equivalency Assessment.

How do I schedule my exam?

First step is to make sure that you are eligible to write the exam (see above). Once you’ve confirmed that you are ready to write, you need to contact Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) 647-847-3000. Their offices are open Monday to Friday 8:30AM-5:00PM. You will need your Client ID # to confirm your status. There is no cost if this is your first attempt at writing the exam.

Once you’ve contacted STO you need to reach out to your local Ministry office and schedule a date to write. Remember, you have 12 months (1 year) to write your exam once you receive a Certificate of Apprenticeship (Journeyperson Candidate status). You can ask for a 6-month extension by completing this form. Not all applications are approved.

I wasn’t successful on my first try. Am I allowed to write again?

First off, you’re not alone—the exam can be difficult on the first go. You are allowed to re-write the exam 30 days after your last (or first) attempt. At this point you will need to pay the exam fee of $150 + tax. You can follow the same steps highlighted under “How do I schedule my exam.”

What kind of resources are available for preparing for the exam? Ideally, they’re free options, too!

There are a lot of amazing online resources or printable packages to help you prepare for your exam. To get you started you can access the Skilled Trades Ontario exam prep guide and Red Seal website. It’ll also be helpful to review your Logbook and Curriculum as you prepare for the exam. Both can be found for free on the Skilled Trades Ontario – About Trades app.

We also have a free digital platform that you have access to as an apprentice at CLAC. You can access this online training here. If you have issues logging in, reach out to our team and we’ll provide support.

The CLAC Mentorship team is also a great free resource at this point in your exam prep. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team to get more information on this (apprenticeshipcentral@clac.ca)

What if I need support for accommodations or barriers that are unique to my experience?

Did you know that Skilled Trades Ontario launched an Exam Support Unit in 2024? The team was created to build resources to help exam candidates who need individualized support as they work towards completing their apprenticeship. You can contact their team by email: esu@skilledtradesontario.ca

Need Help? Have questions about in-class training or preparing for trade school? The CLAC Apprenticeship Team is here to help support you through your apprenticeship journey! Reach out to us at apprenticeshipcentral@clac.ca or visit clac.ca/myapprenticeship.

Certificate of Qualification Fee Update

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