Licensing guide · Alberta

How to Become an Ironworker (structural/ornamental) in Alberta

Last checked 3 sources checkedNOC 72105

Do you need certification?

Certification required

Ironworker (structural/ornamental) is a compulsory trade in Alberta. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.

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“Under Alberta’s Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act [pdf], you must have a certificate that is recognized by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training or be a registered apprentice to fabricate, construct or join scaffolding, structural steel buildings, bridges, ornamental ironwork or pre-cast structures in Alberta.”

From alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/ironworker, 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

  • 5 steps without a listed fee
  • Listed time: 24 to 36 months (only 1 of 5 steps state a time)

  1. Apprentices must find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train apprentices.

    Source
    “Apprentices must find suitable employers who are willing to hire and train apprentices.”
    alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/ironworker

  2. You apply to become a registered apprentice, and if you completed high school in Alberta your marks are checked when you apply.

    Source
    “If you completed high school in Alberta, we'll check your marks when you apply for apprenticeship.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit...

  3. Before enrolling in your first period of classroom instruction you must meet the entrance requirements, which include specific high school courses or alternatives such as an entrance exam.

    Source
    “You can register as an apprentice before you meet the entrance requirements. - You must meet them before you enroll in your first period [classroom instruction]”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit...

  4. Complete the apprenticeship term of 2 to 3 years, with each year including at least 1,620 hours of on-the-job training and 6 weeks of classroom instruction.

    Time: 2 to 3 years
    Time source
    “The term of apprenticeship vary for each branch of this trade, ranging from 2 to 3 years (12-month periods).”
    alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/ironworker
    Source
    “The term of apprenticeship vary for each branch of this trade, ranging from 2 to 3 years (12-month periods). Each year includes a minimum of 1,620 hours of on-the-job training and 6 weeks of classroom instruction.”
    alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/ironworker

  5. After completing the apprenticeship you may take the Red Seal exam, which apprentices in Red Seal trades can write at their school after passing their final period exam.

    Source
    “You may take the Red Seal Exam upon the completion of your apprenticeship in this trade.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0405

Listed fees for this route

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

5 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. 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/0405

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

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Education

  • Entrance requirements for classroom instruction include specific high school courses that you must have passed, or alternatives such as an entrance exam, a GED or CAEC certificate, a recognized training program, or a recognized trade certificate.

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

Experience

  • Applicants to the Trades Qualifier Work Experience Program must complete 54 months and 7290 hours of verifiable Ironworker - Structural/Ornamental work experience.

    Source
    “1. Complete 54 months and 7290 hours of verifiable Ironworker - Structural/Ornamental work experience.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0405

Already licensed in another province?

Extra steps

Ironworkers from other provinces can work in Alberta if they hold a recognized certificate, but under the Recognized Credentials Program they must submit a copy of the certificate and pass a theory exam.

Source
“Ironworkers 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/ironworker

  1. Submit recognized certificate

    Source
    “1. Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0405

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

Job Bank figures for NOC 72105, Ironworkers. Wages for 2023-2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in Alberta and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
Alberta $27.00 $40.60 $51.00 Limited (2 of 5)
Canada $29.00 $43.00 $49.80 —

Wages by region and job outlook in Alberta

Wages in every province and territory

Ironworkers (structural/ornamental) in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 8 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

Compare ironworker (structural/ornamental) licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 11, 2026.

  1. Ironworker: Certifications in Alberta - alis alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/ironworker · fetched October 8, 2026
  2. Tradesecrets - Meet Requirements tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit... · fetched October 9, 2026
  3. Tradesecrets - Ironworker (Structural/Ornamental) tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0405 · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as an ironworker (structural/ornamental) 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?

Red Seal Exam, entrance exam.

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