How to Become a Machinist in Manitoba
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
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
“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: 4 steps
- 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 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
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Apprenticeship Manitoba emails you the Apprenticeship Agreement, which you can print and sign or sign electronically, and your employer must also sign Part C.
Source
“Sign the Apprenticeship Agreement - 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... -
Submit your education records, documentation of any related work or educational experience, and the completed 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... -
Source
“1,800 Total Hours/Year (On-The-Job & Technical Training)”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/trade-profiles/machinist.html -
After completing all levels and apprenticeship requirements, pass the certification (final) exam, and any practical exam the trade requires, to earn a 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. Some trades also include a practical exam that you must also pass).”
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.
Licensed in another province
0 of 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
-
Complete the Military Credential Recognition form to apply to have your military credentials recognized for Red Seal certification.
Source
“To apply to have your credentials recognized for Red Seal certification, please complete the Military Credential Recognition form.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/trade-qualifier.... -
Include your Member's Personnel Record Resume (MPRR) with a QL5, DP2 or higher designation with the form.
Source
“You will need to include your Member’s Personnel Record Resume (MPRR) with a QL5, DP2 or higher designation with the form.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/trade-qualifier.... -
Your form will be reviewed and approved to ensure you meet the requirements for writing the certification exam.
Source
“This form will be reviewed and approved to ensure you meet the requirements for writing the certification exam.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/trade-qualifier.... -
After approval, write the certification exam, which you can challenge free of charge through the Military Credential Recognition Process.
Source
“You can apply as a trade qualifier to challenge the Red Seal exam free of charge through the Military Credential Recognition Process as noted below.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/trade-qualifier....
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)
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Review the work experience form for your trade on the Apprenticeship Manitoba website to determine if 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 -
If you meet all requirements, submit your trades qualification application to Apprenticeship Manitoba along with your completed work experience form, employer letters and copies of previous trades certification.
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 -
Wait for a reply from Apprenticeship Manitoba; 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 -
Once your application is approved, write the certification exam for your trade.
Source
“Approval of your application means you are eligible to write the exam.”
immigratemanitoba.com/life/regulated-occupations
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... - Technical Training: $425 (starting price for technical training)
Source
“Technical Training (click link for full fee breakdown) Starting at $425”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr... - Book and materials fees (low end): $800 (varies by program and technical training provider)
Source
“Book and materials fees vary by program and technical training provider and range from $800 to $1,500.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr... - Book and materials fees (high end): $1,500 (varies by program and technical training provider)
Source
“Book and materials fees vary by program and technical training provider and range from $800 to $1,500.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr... - Technical Training Personal Contribution Fee (8 weeks, before August 1, 2026): $464
- Technical Training Personal Contribution Fee (8 weeks, August 1, 2026 and after): $525
- Technical Training Personal Contribution Fee (9 weeks, before August 1, 2026): $522
- Technical Training Personal Contribution Fee (9 weeks, August 1, 2026 and after): $550
- Technical Training Personal Contribution Fee: 4 weeks of technical training: $464
- Technical Training Personal Contribution Fee: 4 weeks of technical training: $425
- Technical Training Personal Contribution Fee: 5 weeks of technical training: $464
- Technical Training Personal Contribution Fee: 5 weeks of technical training: $450
- Technical Training Personal Contribution Fee: 6 weeks of technical training: $464
- Technical Training Personal Contribution Fee: 6 weeks of technical training: $475
- Technical Training Personal Contribution Fee: 7 weeks of technical training: $464
- Technical Training Personal Contribution Fee: 7 weeks of technical training: $500
- Technical Training Personal Contribution Fee: 10 weeks of technical training: $580
- Technical Training Personal Contribution Fee: 10 weeks of technical training: $575
Requirements
Education
When registering your Apprenticeship Agreement you must submit a copy of your education records, or state in your application if you do not have Grade 12 or equivalent education.
Source
“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). NOTE: If you do not have Grade 12 or equivalent education, state this in your application.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr...
Experience
To challenge the certification exam as a trade qualifier you need six years of experience and 10,800 hours in the trade.
Source
“Challenging the Exam - Trades Qualification: 6 Years of Experience 10,800 Hours Required”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/trade-profiles/machinist.html
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.htmlYou 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/machinist.html
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
If you have received Red Seal certification for a trade, it will continue to be recognized in Manitoba; non-Red Seal certification in a compulsory certification trade is assessed case-by-case. Source
“If you have received Red Seal certification for any trade (voluntary or compulsory certification), it will continue to be recognized in Manitoba. If you received certification that is not Red Seal in a compulsory certification trade, this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.”
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
-
practical exam
Source
“Yes Additional Practical Exam Required”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/trade-profiles/machinist.html -
Level Placement Exam
Source
“Level Placement Exam $200”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr... -
Red Seal exam
Source
“You can apply as a trade qualifier to challenge the Red Seal exam free of charge through the Military Credential Recognition Process as noted below.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/trade-qualifier....
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 | $19.00 | $28.00 | $40.00 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $21.00 | $30.00 | $41.50 | — |
Machinists in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Alberta Voluntary certification
- Saskatchewan 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
- 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/apply-for-your-appr... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/trade-profiles/machinist.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/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/newcomers.html · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/manage-your-apprent... · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a 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?
practical exam, Level Placement Exam, Red Seal exam.
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