Licensing guide · Manitoba

How to Become a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic in Manitoba

Last checked 6 sources checkedNOC 72402

Do you need certification?

Certification required

Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic is a compulsory trade in Manitoba. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.

Protected titles
Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“If a trade is designated as compulsory certification, it means you must be registered as an apprentice or be a certified journeyperson to work in that trade.”

From gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/trade-qualifier...., checked October 11, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Certification required 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

  • 4 steps without a listed fee

  1. Apprenticeship Manitoba sends you the Apprenticeship Agreement by email, and you and your employer must sign it, either on paper or electronically.

    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
    “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). NOTE: If you do not have Grade 12 or equivalent education, state this in your application. - documentation for any work or educational experience related to your trade - the completed Apprenticeship Agreement (must be signed by both you and your employer)”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr...

  3. You complete the on-the-job hours, technical training hours and exams required by the Act and your trade regulation, and pay the personal contribution fees toward tuition.

    Source
    “complete on-the-job hours, technical training hours and exams according to The Apprenticeship and Certification Act and for your specific trade regulation or by-law. - pay the personal contribution fees towards tuition and other applicable fees”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr...

  4. 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

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.

Official page for this route

Licensed in another province

Steps not listed by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

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

  1. You review your trade's page to confirm you meet the requirements to challenge the certification exam.

    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. You complete the Trades Qualification Application form and follow its instructions.

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

  3. You submit employer or statutory declaration forms as needed to meet the trade's requirements for approval.

    Source
    “Submit as many declaration forms as needed in order to meet the trade’s requirements for approval. Employer declarations are filled and signed by your direct supervisor (current and past). Statutory declarations are geared towards self employed candidates”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...

  4. You provide 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. You include a non-refundable $200 payment made payable to Apprenticeship Manitoba to have your application 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 your declarations and documents and, if you meet the requirements, notifies you by email that you are approved to challenge the certification exam.

    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. Once approved, you study using the supports and sample exams and then take the certification exam, which must be written in Manitoba.

    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.

6 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

  • Apprentices must submit a copy of their education records, such as a post-secondary transcript, high school diploma, Grade 12 transcripts, GED or CAEC certificate, or equivalent.

    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)”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr...

Experience

Residency

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

    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

If you have received certification elsewhere in Canada for a trade that requires compulsory certification in Manitoba, your certification will be recognized.

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 72402, Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics. Wages for 2023-2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in Manitoba and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
Manitoba $18.00 $36.07 $45.00 Moderate (3 of 5)
Canada $22.00 $37.50 $56.00 —

Wages by region and job outlook in Manitoba

Wages in every province and territory

Refrigerations and air conditioning mechanics in other provinces and territories

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

Compare refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic 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/apply-for-your-appr... · fetched October 10, 2026
  3. Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/discover-apprentice... · fetched October 10, 2026
  4. Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-... · fetched October 10, 2026
  5. Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/newcomers.html · fetched October 10, 2026
  6. Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/trade-profiles/refrigeratio... · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic in Manitoba?

Yes. Certification, or registration as an apprentice, is required to work in the trade in Manitoba. Certification is managed by Apprenticeship Manitoba.

Which exams are required?

Red Seal Exam, Level Placement 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 Call

Free consultation. No commitment.