Licensing guide · Manitoba

How to Become a CNC Machinist in Manitoba

Last checked 8 sources checked

Do you need certification?

Certification is voluntary

CNC machinist is a voluntary trade in Manitoba. You can work in the trade without a certificate.

Protected titles
Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“If a trade is voluntary , registering as an apprentice is optional. … CNC Machinist”

From gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/trade-profiles.html, checked October 11, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Voluntary certification See the source
Routes
Annual fees
Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba

Your roadmap

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

Trained in Canada

  • Listed one-time fees: $1,155
  • 3 steps without a listed fee

  1. Apprenticeship Manitoba emails you the Apprenticeship Agreement, which you sign by printing or electronically signing, and your employer must also sign Part C.

    Source
    “Apprenticeship Manitoba sends an email to you with the Apprenticeship Agreement - you can print out the agreement and sign it, or electronically sign the agreement - your employer must also sign Part C of the agreement”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr...

  2. You submit your education records, documentation of related work or educational experience, and the signed Apprenticeship Agreement to Apprenticeship Manitoba.

    Source
    “Provide documentation and register your Apprenticeship Agreement with Apprenticeship Manitoba Follow instructions on your Apprenticeship Agreement to submit: - a copy of your education records (post-secondary transcript, or high school diploma, and/or Grade 12 transcripts, GED certificate/ Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC), or equivalent).”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr...

  3. You complete the required on-the-job hours and pass the technical training before progressing to the next level.

    Source
    “Once you have completed the required number of on-the-job hours, you can register for technical training delivered by a recognized technical training provider. You need to complete and pass the technical training before progressing to the next level.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/discover-apprentice...

  4. After completing all apprenticeship requirements you must pass the certification exam with a minimum grade of 70 per cent to earn your Certificate of Qualification.

    Source
    “Once you’ve completed all levels and apprenticeship requirements for your program, you must pass the certification (final) exam. The minimum passing grade is 70 per cent.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/discover-apprentice...

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $1,155

One-time fees listed for Trained in Canada, by type
Fee typeAmountShare
Application $1,155 100%
One-time total $1,155 100%

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

Official page for this route

Licensed in another province

No separate route for this group.

Source
“If you have received certification elsewhere in Canada for a trade that requires compulsory certification in Manitoba, your certification will be recognized.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/discover-apprentice...

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

  • 1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total
  • 3 steps without a listed fee
  • Listed time: 1.4 months (only 1 of 4 steps state a time)

  1. You review the work experience form for your trade on the Apprenticeship Manitoba website to determine whether you have the required work experience, training, knowledge and skills to write the qualification exam.

    Source
    “Determine if you have the work experience, training, knowledge and skills required to be eligible to write the qualification exam by reviewing the work experience form for your trade on the Apprenticeship Manitoba website.”
    immigratemanitoba.com/life/regulated-occupations

  2. If you meet all requirements, you submit your trades qualification application with your completed work experience form, employer letters and copies of previous trades certification to Apprenticeship Manitoba.

    Source
    “Submit to Apprenticeship Manitoba your trades qualification application (along with your completed work experience form, employer letter(s) and copies of previous trades certification) only if you meet all requirements to write the qualification exam in your trade.”
    immigratemanitoba.com/life/regulated-occupations

  3. You wait for a reply from Apprenticeship Manitoba, and approval means you are eligible to write the exam.

    Time: 6 weeks
    Time source
    “Wait for a reply from Apprenticeship Manitoba (application review typically takes about six weeks).”
    immigratemanitoba.com/life/regulated-occupations
    Source
    “Wait for a reply from Apprenticeship Manitoba (application review typically takes about six weeks). Approval of your application means you are eligible to write the exam.”
    immigratemanitoba.com/life/regulated-occupations

  4. Once approved as a trade qualifier, you study for and take your certification exam.

    Source
    “If you meet the requirements, you will be notified via email that you have been approved to challenge the certification exam and you are accepted as a trade qualifier. You will have time to study for your certification exam.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...

Listed fees for this route

1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total.

3 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

Experience

Residency

  • You must reside in Manitoba when you apply, whether as an apprentice or as a trade qualifier challenging the certification exam.

    Source
    “Whether you plan to be an apprentice, or plan to challenge the certification exam as a trade qualifier, you must reside in Manitoba when you apply.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/newcomers.html

Other

  • As part of your application you must provide a letter from an employer or reference confirming your experience.

    Source
    “As part of your application, you must provide a letter from an employer or reference as a form of proof that you meet the experience requirements for your trade.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...

Already licensed in another province?

Not stated

The pages only state that certification from other Canadian provinces is recognized for trades requiring compulsory certification in Manitoba, and CNC machinist is a voluntary trade.

Source
“If you have received certification elsewhere in Canada for a trade that requires compulsory certification in Manitoba, your certification will be recognized.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/discover-apprentice...

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba

Exams

Language tests

No minimum test score stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba

Exemptions: Special accommodations for the exams are available if English or French is not your primary language.

Source
“Exam Accommodations – special accommodations for the exams are available if English or French is not your primary language.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/newcomers.html

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba

Supervised practice

Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba

Demand and pay

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

CNC machinists 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
  • Alberta Not confirmed yet
  • Saskatchewan 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 CNC machinist licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 11, 2026.

  1. Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/trade-profiles.html · fetched October 10, 2026
  2. Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/discover-apprentice... · fetched October 10, 2026
  3. Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr... · fetched October 10, 2026
  4. Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/manage-your-apprent... · fetched October 10, 2026
  5. Regulated Occupations | Manitoba Immigration immigratemanitoba.com/life/regulated-occupations · fetched October 10, 2026
  6. Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-... · fetched October 10, 2026
  7. Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/newcomers.html · fetched October 10, 2026
  8. Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/trade-profiles/cnc-machinis... · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as a CNC machinist in Manitoba?

No. Certification is available, but it is not required to work in the trade in Manitoba. Certification is managed by Apprenticeship Manitoba.

Which exams are required?

Level Placement Exam.

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