Licensing guide · Alberta

How to Become an Auto Body Technician - Auto Body Refinisher in Alberta

Last checked 4 sources checked

Do you need certification?

Certification required

Auto body technician - auto body refinisher is a compulsory trade in Alberta. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.

Protected titles
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Show the source
“Compulsory Certification”

From tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0107, checked October 11, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Certification required See the source
Routes
Annual fees
Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

Your roadmap

Every route is listed. Follow the one that matches where you trained.

Trained in Canada

  • 3 steps without a listed fee

  1. Before applying to become a registered apprentice, you must make sure you are eligible to register.

    Source
    “Before you apply to become a registered apprentice, make sure you are eligible.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit...

  2. Before enrolling in classes as a registered apprentice, you must meet the entrance requirements, which include specific high school courses, or show you are ready another way such as an entrance exam.

    Source
    “Before you enroll in classes as a registered apprentice, you'll need to meet the entrance requirements.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit...
  3. Source
    “- Theory exam required to complete each period - Red Seal exam option in final period”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0107

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Licensed in another province

  • 1 step without a listed fee

  1. You submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.

    Source
    “1. Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0107

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

  • 2 steps without a listed fee

  1. You must complete 36 months and 4860 hours of verifiable Auto Body Refinisher work experience.

    Source
    “1. Complete 36 months and 4860 hours of verifiable Auto Body Refinisher work experience.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0107

  2. You must provide an Employer Declaration Letter (EDL).

    Source
    “3. Provide an Employer Declaration Letter (EDL).”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0107

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Other listed fees

The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Education

  • Before enrolling in classroom instruction as a registered apprentice, you must meet entrance requirements that include specific high school courses, unless you qualify another way such as by passing an entrance exam.

    Source
    “Entrance requirements include specific high school courses that you must have passed.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit...

Already licensed in another province?

Extra steps

If you hold a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta, you must submit a copy of the certificate and pass a theory exam to become certified, so more than simple registration is required.

Source
“1. Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta. 2. Pass a theory exam.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0107

  1. Submit recognized trade certificate

    Source
    “1. Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0107

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

Exams

Language tests

Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

Supervised practice

Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

Demand and pay

No Job Bank wage or outlook data for this occupation yet.

Auto body technicians - auto body refinisher in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 0 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

  • British Columbia Not confirmed yet
  • Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
  • Manitoba Not confirmed yet
  • Ontario Not confirmed yet
  • Quebec Not confirmed yet
  • New Brunswick Not confirmed yet
  • Nova Scotia Not confirmed yet
  • Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
  • Yukon Not confirmed yet
  • Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
  • Nunavut Not confirmed yet

Compare auto body technician - auto body refinisher licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 11, 2026.

  1. Tradesecrets - Auto Body Technician - Auto Body Refinisher tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0107 · fetched October 10, 2026
  2. Tradesecrets - Meet Requirements tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit... · fetched October 9, 2026
  3. Tradesecrets - Prior Learning Assessments tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/prior-lear... · fetched October 9, 2026
  4. Tradesecrets - Trades with Practical Exams and Fees tradesecrets.alberta.ca/become-certified/trades-qualifier-programs/... · fetched October 9, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as an auto body technician - auto body refinisher in Alberta?

Yes. Certification, or registration as an apprentice, is required to work in the trade in Alberta. Certification is managed by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

Which exams are required?

Theory exam, Red Seal exam, Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) exam.

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