How to Become a Concrete Finisher in Manitoba
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Concrete finisher 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
“Voluntary designated trades means tradespeople are not required to be an apprentice or journeyperson to work in the trade.”
From gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/employers/hiring-apprentices.html, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 5 steps, listed one-time fees $425
- Licensed in another province: 4 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 4 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 5 done
- Listed one-time fees: $425
- 4 steps without a listed fee
-
Apprenticeship Manitoba sends you the Apprenticeship Agreement by email, and you and your employer must sign it.
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... -
You submit your education records, any related work or educational experience documentation, 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... -
You work on the job to learn the trade from a certified journeyperson and complete the required on-the-job training hours for each level.
Source
“You will spend about 80 per cent of your apprenticeship working on the job. Here you will learn the knowledge and skills for your trade from a certified journeyperson. Each trade has a minimum number of on-the-job training hours required for each level.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/discover-apprentice... -
Once you have completed the required on-the-job hours, you register for and pass technical training delivered by a recognized training provider before progressing to the next level.
- Technical Training Personal Contribution Fee: $425
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... -
After completing all levels and 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: $425
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Other | $425 | 100% |
| One-time total | $425 | 100% |
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 1.4 months (only 1 of 4 steps state a time)
-
You determine whether you have the work experience, training, knowledge and skills required to write the qualification exam by reviewing the work experience form for your trade.
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 -
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 -
You wait for a reply from Apprenticeship Manitoba, and approval of your application means you are eligible to write the exam.
Time: 6 weeksTime source
“Wait for a reply from Apprenticeship Manitoba (application review typically takes about six weeks).”
immigratemanitoba.com/life/regulated-occupationsSource
“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 -
As a trade qualifier you challenge the certification exam for your trade to earn your Certificate of Qualification.
Source
“A trade qualifier is an experienced tradesperson who meets minimum requirements on the job. Trade qualifiers challenge the certification exam for their trade to earn their Certificate of Qualification.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/discover-apprentice...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 1.4 months (only 1 of 4 steps state a time)
-
You determine whether you have the work experience, training, knowledge and skills required to write the qualification exam by reviewing the work experience form for your trade.
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 -
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 -
You wait for a reply from Apprenticeship Manitoba, and approval of your application means you are eligible to write the exam.
Time: 6 weeksTime source
“Wait for a reply from Apprenticeship Manitoba (application review typically takes about six weeks).”
immigratemanitoba.com/life/regulated-occupationsSource
“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 -
As a trade qualifier you challenge the certification exam for your trade to earn your Certificate of Qualification.
Source
“A trade qualifier is an experienced tradesperson who meets minimum requirements on the job. Trade qualifiers challenge the certification exam for their trade to earn their Certificate of Qualification.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/discover-apprentice...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
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.
- Level Placement Exam: $200
Source
“Level Placement Exam $200”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr... - NSF Cheque Service Fee: $20
Source
“NSF Cheque Service Fee $20”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr...
Requirements
Experience
Trade qualifiers need three years of experience and 5,400 hours to challenge the certification exam.
Source
“3 Years of Experience 5,400 Hours Required”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/trade-profiles/concretefini...
Residency
You must be a Manitoba resident to apply as a trade qualifier.
Source
“You must be a Manitoba resident to apply as a trade qualifier.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/trade-profiles/concretefini...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
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
The page states that Red Seal certification received in another Canadian province or territory continues to be recognized in Manitoba. Source
“If you have received Red Seal certification for any trade (voluntary or compulsory certification), it will continue to be recognized in Manitoba.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/trade-qualifier....
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba
Exams
-
Level Placement Exam
Source
“Level Placement Exam $200”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr...
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba
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
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manitoba | $22.00 | $30.00 | $36.46 | Limited (2 of 5) |
| Canada | $24.50 | $34.00 | $43.47 | — |
Concrete finishers in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Alberta Voluntary certification
- Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
- Ontario Voluntary certification
- Quebec Certification required
- New Brunswick Voluntary certification
- Nova Scotia Voluntary certification
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/employers/hiring-apprentices.html · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/discover-apprentice... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/manage-your-apprent... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/trade-qualifier.... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Regulated Occupations | Manitoba Immigration immigratemanitoba.com/life/regulated-occupations · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/trade-profiles/concretefini... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/newcomers.html · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a concrete finisher 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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