Licensing guide · New Brunswick

How to Become a Carpenter in New Brunswick

Last checked 5 sources checkedNOC 72310

Do you need certification?

Certification is voluntary

Carpenter is a voluntary trade in New Brunswick. You can work in the trade without a certificate.

Protected titles
Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“New Brunswick has 12 compulsory trades under the Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification Act (AOC Act). In these trades, workers must hold the appropriate trade certification or be registered as an apprentice to perform the work.”

From gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr..., checked October 11, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Voluntary certification See the source
Routes
Annual fees
Not stated by the regulator Check with New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

Your roadmap

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

Trained in Canada

  • Listed one-time fees: $275
  • 2 steps without a listed fee
  • Listed time: 48 months (only 1 of 4 steps state a time)

  1. You get a job in the trade and register as an apprentice.

    Source
    “Apprenticeship — obtain employment and register as an apprentice, successfully complete all apprenticeship program requirements such as the on-the-job, technical training requirements and examinations to achieve a Diploma of Apprenticeship and Certificate of Qualification.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/apprentice...

  2. You successfully complete the on-the-job and technical training requirements of the apprenticeship program.

    Time: 4 years
    Time source
    “average time to complete apprenticeship is 4 years”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/fast-facts...
    Source
    “Apprenticeship — obtain employment and register as an apprentice, successfully complete all apprenticeship program requirements such as the on-the-job, technical training requirements and examinations to achieve a Diploma of Apprenticeship and Certificate of Qualification.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/apprentice...

  3. You pass the final examination after completing the required training hours.

    Source
    “A New Brunswick Diploma of Apprenticeship and a Certificate of Qualification are awarded upon successful completion of 7,200 hours of on the job and technical training and the final examination.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/designated...

  4. After completing the training hours and the final examination, you are awarded a New Brunswick Diploma of Apprenticeship and a Certificate of Qualification.

    Source
    “A New Brunswick Diploma of Apprenticeship and a Certificate of Qualification are awarded upon successful completion of 7,200 hours of on the job and technical training and the final examination.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/designated...

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $275

One-time fees listed for Trained in Canada, by type
Fee typeAmountShare
Application $25 9%
Exams $250 91%
One-time total $275 100%

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

Official page for this route

Licensed in another province

  • Listed one-time fees: $250
  • 1 step without a listed fee

  1. You provide proof of a certificate of qualification from a jurisdiction outside New Brunswick along with your application.

    Source
    “Equivalency Standards — supply proof of a certificate of qualification from a jurisdiction outside New Brunswick and application to challenge the certification examination or to recognize the certification based on equivalent standards.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/apprentice...

  2. You apply either to challenge the certification examination or to have your certification recognized based on equivalent standards.

    Source
    “Equivalency Standards — supply proof of a certificate of qualification from a jurisdiction outside New Brunswick and application to challenge the certification examination or to recognize the certification based on equivalent standards.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/apprentice...

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $250

One-time fees listed for Licensed in another province, by type
Fee typeAmountShare
Exams $250 100%
One-time total $250 100%

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

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

  • Listed one-time fees: $250
  • 1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total
  • 3 steps without a listed fee

  1. You start by getting a job in your trade and gaining local experience.

    Source
    “Start by getting a job in your trade and gaining local experience then, contact Skilled Trades NB to see if you can challenge the certification exam or if the apprenticeship program is the better path for your success.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr...

  2. You contact Skilled Trades NB to find out whether you can challenge the certification exam or whether the apprenticeship program is the better path.

    Source
    “Start by getting a job in your trade and gaining local experience then, contact Skilled Trades NB to see if you can challenge the certification exam or if the apprenticeship program is the better path for your success.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr...

  3. Your international education and work experience are reviewed to identify credit toward New Brunswick certification.

    Source
    “Assessment of your experience: Your international education and work experience are reviewed to identify credit toward NB certification.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr...

  4. You develop and complete a personalized learning plan created with Skilled Trades NB and your employer to address differences in language, terminology, safety, and trade practices and standards.

    Source
    “Personalized learning plan: Develop and complete a plan is created with Skilled Trades NB and your employer to address differences in language, terminology and safety and trade practices and standards.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr...

  5. You attend training or challenge the certification exam when you are ready.

    Source
    “Training and certification exam: Attend training or challenge the exam when ready.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr...

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $250

One-time fees listed for Trained outside Canada, by type
Fee typeAmountShare
Exams $250 100%
One-time total $250 100%

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

  • To receive a New Brunswick Diploma of Apprenticeship and a Certificate of Qualification, you must successfully complete 7,200 hours of on the job and technical training and the final examination.

    Source
    “A New Brunswick Diploma of Apprenticeship and a Certificate of Qualification are awarded upon successful completion of 7,200 hours of on the job and technical training and the final examination.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/designated...

Experience

  • To challenge the certification examination, you must have gained the equivalent of 10,800 hours of practical experience in the carpenter occupation.

    Source
    “A person who has gained the equivalent of 10,800 hours of practical experience in the carpenter occupation may apply to challenge the certification examination.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/designated...

Already licensed in another province?

Direct transfer

Tradespeople with a valid out-of-province Certificate of Qualification or Red Seal endorsement can work in New Brunswick using their existing credential without first obtaining a New Brunswick Certificate of Qualification.

Source
“Tradespeople with a valid out-of-province Certificate of Qualification (C of Q) or Red Seal endorsement can work in New Brunswick using their existing credential.”
gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr...

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

  • Assessment of your experience

    Your international education and work experience are reviewed to identify credit toward NB certification.

    Source
    “Assessment of your experience: Your international education and work experience are reviewed to identify credit toward NB certification.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr...

Exams

Language tests

Not stated by the regulator Check with New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Not stated by the regulator Check with New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

Supervised practice

Not stated by the regulator Check with New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

Demand and pay

Job Bank figures for NOC 72310, Carpenters. Wages for 2023-2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in New Brunswick and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
New Brunswick $18.00 $24.00 $34.00 Moderate (3 of 5)
Canada $22.00 $32.12 $44.23 —

Wages by region and job outlook in New Brunswick

Wages in every province and territory

Carpenters in other provinces and territories

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

Compare carpenter licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 11, 2026.

  1. Internationally and nationally trained or certified trades people - gnb.ca gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr... · fetched October 11, 2026
  2. The apprenticeship and occupational certification program - gnb.ca gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/apprentice... · fetched October 11, 2026
  3. Fees and forms - gnb.ca gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/fees-forms... · fetched October 11, 2026
  4. Fast facts about Skilled Trades NB - gnb.ca gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/fast-facts... · fetched October 11, 2026
  5. List of designated occupations - gnb.ca gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/designated... · fetched October 11, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as a carpenter in New Brunswick?

No. Certification is available, but it is not required to work in the trade in New Brunswick. Certification is managed by the New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour.

Which exams are required?

Certification examination, Final examination, Interprovincial standards (Red Seal) examination.

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