How to Become an Automotive Service Technician in Alberta
Do you need certification?
Certification required
Automotive service technician is a compulsory trade in Alberta. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.
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Show the source
“you must have a certificate that is recognized by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training or be a registered apprentice to perform preventative maintenance, diagnose faulty operations, and repair automotive vehicles and light trucks in Alberta.”
From alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/automotive-servic..., checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Certification required See the source
- Routes
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- Trained in Canada: 4 steps
- Licensed in another province: 1 step
- Trained outside Canada: no separate route
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
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Apprentices must find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train them.
Source
“Apprentices must find suitable employers who are willing to hire and train apprentices.”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/automotive-servic... -
You apply to become a registered apprentice once you confirm you meet the eligibility requirements.
Source
“Before you apply to become a registered apprentice, make sure you are eligible.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit... -
Before enrolling in classroom instruction you must meet the entrance requirements, such as specific high school courses, an entrance exam, a GED or CAEC certificate, a recognized training program, or a recognized trade certificate.
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... -
Complete the four periods of the program, each with work experience, classroom instruction and a theory exam.
Source
“4 periods (levels) - All periods: 1530 hours work experience per period 9 weeks classroom instruction per period Theory exam required”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/009
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 1 done
- 1 step without a listed fee
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You submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.
Source
“Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/009
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.
Trained outside Canada
- 2 steps without a listed fee
No separate route for this group. Source
“If you have experience in the trade but do not hold an Alberta Journeyperson Certificate, you may be eligible for the Trades Qualifier Program.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/009
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.
- Prior Learning Assessment Fee: $150
Source
“Automotive Service Technician | 1,2,3,4 | $150.00 each | n/a”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/prior-lear... - PLA entrance exam application fee: $150
Source
“There is a $150 fee for this application.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/prior-lear... - PLA - Entrance Exam: $150 (for applicants who don't meet the educational requirements, to show they're ready to attend apprenticeship classes)
Source
“Take this if you don't meet the educational requirements, to show you're ready to attend apprenticeship classes. - There is a $150 fee for this application.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/prior-lear...
Requirements
Education
To enroll in classroom instruction you must meet entrance requirements such as English 20-2, Math 20-3, and Science 10, or a GED/CAEC, or pass an entrance exam.
Source
“Entrance requirements: English 20-2, Math 20-3, and Science 10 or GED/CAEC or Entrance Exam”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/009
Experience
Applicants for the Work Experience Program must complete 72 months and 9180 hours of verifiable Automotive Service Technician work experience.
Source
“Complete 72 months and 9180 hours of verifiable Automotive Service Technician work experience.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/009
Already licensed in another province?
Extra steps
Automotive service technicians from other provinces can work in Alberta if they hold a certificate or license recognized by Alberta, and under the Recognized Credentials Program they must submit their recognized trade certificate and pass a theory exam. Source
“Automotive service technicians from other provinces and territories can work in Alberta if they hold a certificate or license recognized by Alberta.”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/automotive-servic...
Submit recognized trade certificate
Source
“Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/009
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
Exams
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Theory exam
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Red Seal exam
Source
“Passing a Red Seal exam shows you have met the national standard in your trade.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/apprentice-services/prepare-for-an-exam/typ...
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
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
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $19.84 | $30.00 | $47.00 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $19.00 | $29.89 | $43.27 | — |
Automotive service technicians in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Voluntary certification
- Ontario Certification required
- Quebec Voluntary certification
- New Brunswick Certification required
- Nova Scotia Certification required
- Prince Edward Island Certification required
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Voluntary certification
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Compare automotive service technician licensing across Canada
Sources checked
- Automotive Service Technician: Certifications in Alberta - alis alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/automotive-servic... · fetched October 8, 2026
- Tradesecrets - Automotive Service Technician tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/009 · fetched October 10, 2026
- Tradesecrets - Meet Requirements tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit... · fetched October 9, 2026
- Tradesecrets - Prior Learning Assessments tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/prior-lear... · fetched October 9, 2026
- Tradesecrets - Types of Exams tradesecrets.alberta.ca/apprentice-services/prepare-for-an-exam/typ... · fetched October 9, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as an automotive service technician 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.
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