Licensing guide · Manitoba

How to Become a Plumber in Manitoba

Last checked 6 sources checkedNOC 72300

Do you need certification?

Certification is voluntary

Plumber 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
“Some trades in Manitoba require you to be certified; these are known as compulsory certification trades. Other trades are voluntary.”

From gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/trade-qualifier...., 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

  • 6 steps without a listed fee

  1. The apprentice is hired by an employer who will provide on-the-job training.

    Source
    “When you hire an apprentice, you’re investing in the future of your business, your employees and Manitoba’s skilled trades. The first step is to find the apprentice that meets your business needs.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/employers/hiring-apprentices.html

  2. Apprenticeship Manitoba emails the Apprenticeship Agreement, which the apprentice and the employer both sign.

    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...

  3. The apprentice submits education records, experience documentation and the signed Apprenticeship Agreement to Apprenticeship Manitoba to register it.

    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...

  4. The apprentice works on the job, learning the trade from a certified journeyperson and completing the required 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...

  5. After completing the required on-the-job hours, the apprentice registers for and passes technical training before moving 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...

  6. After completing all apprenticeship requirements, the apprentice passes the certification exam with at least 70 per cent 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.”
    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

6 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. Certification received elsewhere in Canada is recognized in Manitoba under labour mobility.

    Source
    “If you have received certification elsewhere in Canada for a trade that requires compulsory certification in Manitoba, your certification will be recognized. Learn more about the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.”
    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

1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

  • 1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total
  • 7 steps without a listed fee

  1. The applicant reviews the trades qualification requirements listed on their trade's page.

    Source
    “To be approved to take the certification exam for your trade, you must meet certain requirements. Visit your trade’s page at explore trades section of this website. Click on the trades qualification tab to find the requirements listed for your trade.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...

  2. The applicant completes and follows the instructions on the Trades Qualification Application form.

    Source
    “Trades Qualification Application Form Complete and follow instructions.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...

  3. The applicant submits employer or statutory declaration forms as needed to meet the trade's requirements for approval.

    Source
    “Declaration Form Submit as many declaration forms as needed in order to meet the trade’s requirements for approval.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...

  4. The applicant provides copies of all trade-related certificates and credentials.

    Source
    “Proof of Education and Training Provide copies of all trade-related certificates and credentials.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...

  5. The applicant includes a non-refundable $200 payment with the application to have it assessed.

    Source
    “Application fee - Include a $200 payment (non-refundable). - Make cheque payable to: Apprenticeship Manitoba. - This fee is to assess your application and does not guarantee that you will be approved.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...

  6. Apprenticeship Manitoba verifies all declarations and documents and may request additional information or an interview.

    Source
    “All declarations and documents will be verified by Apprenticeship Manitoba. - You may be asked for additional information to support your application.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...

  7. If the applicant meets the requirements, they are notified by email that they are approved to challenge the certification exam as a trade qualifier.

    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.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...

  8. The approved trade qualifier studies for and writes the certification exam in Manitoba.

    Source
    “Note: Trades qualification certification exams must be written in Manitoba.”
    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.

7 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.

Experience

  • Trade qualification applicants must have a minimum number of years and hours working in the trade and experience in at least 70 per cent of the scope of the trade.

    Source
    “You must have: - a minimum number of years working in the trade - a minimum number of hours working in the trade - experience (skills) in at least 70 per cent scope of the trade”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...

Residency

  • Applicants must reside in Manitoba when they apply to challenge a 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

  • Applicants must provide a letter from an employer or reference confirming their experience as proof they meet the experience requirements.

    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?

Direct transfer

Certification received elsewhere in Canada for a trade is recognized in Manitoba under labour mobility.

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

Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba

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

Job Bank figures for NOC 72300, Plumbers. Wages for 2023-2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in Manitoba and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
Manitoba $21.00 $30.11 $43.00 Limited (2 of 5)
Canada $21.00 $34.00 $46.00 —

Wages by region and job outlook in Manitoba

Wages in every province and territory

Plumbers in other provinces and territories

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

Compare plumber licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 11, 2026.

  1. Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/trade-qualifier.... · 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/employers/hiring-apprentices.html · fetched October 10, 2026
  4. Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr... · fetched October 10, 2026
  5. Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-... · fetched October 10, 2026
  6. 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 plumber 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.

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