Licensing guide · New Brunswick

How to Become a Heavy Equipment Operator (grader) in New Brunswick

Last checked 4 sources checked

Do you need certification?

Certification is voluntary

Heavy equipment operator (grader) 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: $250
  • 2 steps without a listed fee

  1. You work the required number of hours in the skilled trade.

    Source
    “Trade Qualification — work the required number of hours in a particular skilled trade, supply proof of those hours, scope coverage and challenge the Certification Exam.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/apprentice...

  2. You supply proof of those hours and scope coverage.

    Source
    “Trade Qualification — work the required number of hours in a particular skilled trade, supply proof of those hours, scope coverage and challenge the Certification Exam.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/apprentice...

  3. You challenge the Certification Exam.

    Source
    “Trade Qualification — work the required number of hours in a particular skilled trade, supply proof of those hours, scope coverage and challenge the Certification Exam.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/apprentice...

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $250

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

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

Official page for this route

Licensed in another province

  • 2 steps without a listed fee

  1. You provide proof of a certificate of qualification from a jurisdiction outside New Brunswick.

    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

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

2 steps 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: $350
  • 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 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...

  4. A plan is developed and completed 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 exam when 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: $350

One-time fees listed for Trained outside Canada, by type
Fee typeAmountShare
Assessment $100 29%
Exams $250 71%
One-time total $350 100%

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.

Experience

  • A person who has gained the equivalent of 3,600 hours of practical experience in the heavy equipment operator (grader) occupation may apply to challenge the certification examination.

    Source
    “A person who has gained the equivalent of 3,600 hours of practical experience in the heavy equipment operator (grader) occupation may apply to challenge the certification examination.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/designated...

Already licensed in another province?

Direct transfer

New Brunswick recognizes valid Red Seal endorsements, Certificates of Qualification, and other trade certificates issued by Canadian provinces and territories, so certified tradespeople can move to New Brunswick and work in their trade without first obtaining a New Brunswick Certificate of Qualification.

Source
“New Brunswick recognizes valid Red Seal endorsements, Certificates of Qualification (C of Q), and other trade certificates issued by Canadian provinces and territories. This means certified tradespeople can move to New Brunswick and work in their trade without first obtaining a New Brunswick Certificate of Qualification (C of Q).”
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

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

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

No Job Bank wage or outlook data for this occupation yet.

Heavy equipment operators (grader) in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 0 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

  • British Columbia Not confirmed yet
  • Alberta Not confirmed yet
  • Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
  • Manitoba Not confirmed yet
  • Ontario Not confirmed yet
  • Quebec Not confirmed yet
  • Nova Scotia Not confirmed yet
  • Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
  • Yukon Not confirmed yet
  • Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
  • Nunavut Not confirmed yet

Compare heavy equipment operator (grader) 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. 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 heavy equipment operator (grader) 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 Exam, certification examination.

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