Saturday, April 4, 2026

On-Site C of Q Exams Offered in Ontario

Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) has made it easier for apprentices to complete their certification by offering on-site exams at training locations. This means that, if you qualify, you can write your Certificate of Qualification (CofQ) exam on your final day of in-class training, right where you learned.

STO now delivers certifying exams in-house, improving booking, consistency, and support. As of February 1, 2026, STO manages everything, from scheduling to exam-day services, through one system.

How on-site exams work

If you are in your final level of training, your college or training provider will confirm if you are on track to pass. To qualify for the on-site exam, you must:

Be on track to successfully complete your final level

Finish your on-the-job training requirements

Submit all required apprenticeship completion documents by the deadline

Your paperwork must be fully processed before exam day. If anything is missing or late, you may not be allowed to write the exam.

If CLAC is not your sponsor, you will need to coordinate with your employer to ensure this paperwork is complete.

If CLAC is your sponsor for your Registered Training Agreement (RTA), please reach out to the CLAC Group Sponsor team at OnGroupSponsor@clac.ca to ensure this paperwork is complete on time.

Important timelines

Deadlines matter. You will need to submit your Apprenticeship Completion Form and any required documents before the set cutoff date. Your training provider will guide you on exact timelines.

If you meet all requirements, you can write your exam on the last day of class. If not, you will need to book your exam later through STO.

Booking and next steps

All exam bookings are done through the STO Portal. If you do not write on your final day, STO will send you an Authorization to Test Letter (ATTL) with instructions.

If you write the exam on-site, you do not need the ATTL. However, if you need to rewrite the exam, a new letter will be issued.

What if you’re not eligible for on-site exams?

You will need to book your exam separately if:

You have not completed your training or documents

You miss submission deadlines

You need special accommodations

For accommodations, you must apply to STO first. Approved accommodations are arranged through a test centre.

Need some extra exam preparation?

If you are writing your CofQ exam on-site, be sure to sign up for the Forge Your Future program to ensure you are ready to write.

You can learn more and sign up today at www.clac.ca/forgeyourfuture

Why this change matters

Bringing exams directly to training sites helps reduce wait times and makes the process more convenient. It also helps apprentices move faster into certified, in-demand jobs.

If you stay on track, meet your deadlines, and submit your documents on time, you can complete your apprenticeship and certification all at once on your final day.

On-Site C of Q Exams Offered in Ontario

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