How to Become a Parts Technician in Alberta
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Parts technician is a voluntary trade in Alberta. You can work in the trade without a certificate.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Under Alberta’s Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act [pdf], you do not have to be certified if you are self-employed or work for an employer who is satisfied that you have the skills and knowledge expected of a journeyperson certified by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.”
From alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/parts-technician, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 7 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 7 done
- 7 steps without a listed fee
-
You must find an employer who is willing to hire and train you as an apprentice.
Source
“Apprentices must find suitable employers who are willing to hire and train apprentices.”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/parts-technician -
You can register as an apprentice before meeting the entrance requirements, as long as you meet the registration eligibility requirements.
Source
“You can register as an apprentice before you meet the entrance requirements.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit... -
Before enrolling in classroom instruction you must meet the entrance requirements, which include specific high school courses, or pass an entrance exam instead.
Source
“If you haven't passed the required courses, you have a few options: Take an entrance exam to show you’re ready.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit... -
You complete on-the-job training hours with your employer during each year of the apprenticeship.
Source
“The term of apprenticeship for both branches of this trade is 3 years (three 12-month periods) with 1,500 hours of on-the-job training in each year.”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/parts-technician -
Source
“You won't be able to register for classroom instruction until you pass.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/apprentice-services/prepare-for-an-exam/ent... -
You must pass a theory exam to complete each period of the apprenticeship program.
Source
“Theory exam required to complete each period”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0271 -
In the final period you may choose to write the Red Seal exam, which apprentices in Red Seal trades can take at their school after passing the final period exam.
Source
“Apprentices in Red Seal Trades can write the Red Seal exam at their school after they pass their final period exam.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/apprentice-services/prepare-for-an-exam/typ...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
7 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
-
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/0271
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
No separate route for this group. Source
“1. Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0271
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.
- Entrance exam fee: $150 (for writing an entrance exam when you don't meet entrance requirements)
Source
“There is a $150 fee for writing an entrance exam.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/apprentice-services/prepare-for-an-exam/ent... - PLA period exam fee: $150
Source
“| Parts Technician - Parts Technician | 1,2,3 | $150.00 each | n/a |”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/prior-lear... - PLA - Entrance Exam: $150 (if you don't meet the educational requirements)
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... - Parts Technician – Materials Technician: Prior Learning Assessment Fee (each period): $150
Source
“| Parts Technician – Materials Technician | 1,2,3 | $150.00 each | n/a |”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/prior-lear...
Requirements
Education
Before enrolling in classroom instruction you must meet the entrance requirements, which include specific high school courses that you must have passed.
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 6750 hours of verifiable Parts Technician work experience.
Source
“1. Complete 54 months and 6750 hours of verifiable Parts Technician work experience.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0271
Other
Applicants must provide an Employer Declaration Letter.
Source
“3. Provide an Employer Declaration Letter (EDL).”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0271
Already licensed in another province?
Extra steps
Parts technicians trained in other provinces can work in Alberta if they hold a recognized certificate or licence, and through the Recognized Credentials Program they must submit their out-of-Alberta trade certificate and pass a theory exam. 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/0271
Submit recognized trade certificate
Source
“1. Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0271
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
-
Entrance exam
Source
“There is a $150 fee for writing an entrance exam.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/apprentice-services/prepare-for-an-exam/ent... -
Red Seal exam
-
Challenge exam
Source
“If you haven’t passed classroom instruction, you might be able to challenge the period exam to move in your apprenticeship. This is known as a challenge exam.”
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 | $20.00 | $30.29 | $45.13 | Limited (2 of 5) |
| Canada | $19.17 | $26.00 | $40.00 | — |
Parts technicians in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Voluntary certification
- Ontario Voluntary certification
- Quebec Voluntary certification
- New Brunswick Voluntary certification
- Nova Scotia Voluntary certification
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Voluntary certification
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Sources checked
- Parts Technician: Certifications in Alberta - alis alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/parts-technician · fetched October 8, 2026
- Tradesecrets - Parts Technician - Parts Technician tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0271 · fetched October 10, 2026
- Tradesecrets - Meet Requirements tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit... · fetched October 9, 2026
- Tradesecrets - Entrance Exams tradesecrets.alberta.ca/apprentice-services/prepare-for-an-exam/ent... · fetched October 9, 2026
- Tradesecrets - Types of Exams tradesecrets.alberta.ca/apprentice-services/prepare-for-an-exam/typ... · fetched October 9, 2026
- Tradesecrets - Prior Learning Assessments tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/prior-lear... · fetched October 9, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a parts technician in Alberta?
No. Certification is available, but it is not required to work in the trade in Alberta. Certification is managed by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Which exams are required?
Entrance exam, Red Seal exam, Challenge exam.
Getting Licensed? Get Your Resume Ready Too
Nainly pairs expert resume assessment with a done-for-you career marketing campaign, so your profile keeps reaching decision-makers while you work through the licensing steps.
Schedule a CallFree consultation. No commitment.