How to Become a Machinist in Newfoundland and Labrador
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Machinist is a voluntary trade in Newfoundland and Labrador. You can work in the trade without a certificate.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“DESIGNATED TRADE Red Seal Trade Provincial Trade Training and Certification Certification Only (no training available) ... Machinist”
From gov.nl.ca/atcd/designated-trades/list-of-designated-trades, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: no separate route
- Licensed in another province: 2 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 7 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
No separate route for this group. Source
“APPRENTICESHIP TERM: 4 years, 7200 hours (Plan of Training – 2022)”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/designated-trades/trade-profiles/machinist-trade-pro...
Licensed in another province
0 of 2 done
- 2 steps without a listed fee
-
If you hold a Certificate of Qualification from another Canadian province or territory, you complete an application form.
Source
“If you have a Certificate of Qualification from another Canadian province or territory, complete an application form.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons/cq -
The Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division verifies your information and can provide an equivalency letter if you need one.
Source
“The Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division will verify your information and provide an equivalency letter if you require one for your employer or a regulatory body.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons/cq
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division
2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 7 done
- 7 steps without a listed fee
-
You complete the Trade Qualifier Application to be Examined form.
Source
“Complete the Trade Qualifier Application to be Examined form”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers -
You complete the Record of Work Experience form.
Source
“Complete the Record of Work Experience form.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers -
If your employer or the journeyperson is not available to verify your hours or skills, you reach out to an Apprenticeship Program Officer for help.
Source
“If your employer or the journeyperson is not available to verify your hours or skills, reach out to an Apprenticeship Program Officer for help.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers -
You submit your application and the required documents.
Source
“Submit your application and required documents.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers -
Once submitted, your application is reviewed by the Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division, and recognition of prior learning may be required in some cases.
Source
“Once your application is submitted, it will be reviewed by the Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division. In some cases, recognition of prior learning may be required.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers -
If your application is approved, you are contacted to schedule your certification exam.
Source
“If your application is approved, you will be contacted to schedule your certification exam.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers -
As a machinist trade qualifier, you must pass a practical exam before you can attempt the written certification exam.
Source
“However, for some trades (Cook, Welder, Hairstylist and Machinist), you will need to pass a practical exam before you can attempt the written one.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division
7 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Requirements
Experience
To become a trade qualifier, you need at least one and a half times the on-the-job work experience of an apprenticeship term in your trade.
Source
“At least one and a half (1.5) times the on-the-job work experience of an apprenticeship term in your trade.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers
Other
You need verified documentation of your work skills, verified by a certified journeyperson in your trade.
Source
“Verified documentation of your work skills, verified by a certified journeyperson in your trade.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiersYou need documented verification of time and hours worked.
Source
“Documented verification of time and hours worked.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
The page says holders of a Certificate of Qualification from another Canadian province or territory complete an application form, and the division verifies their information and can provide an equivalency letter, with no additional exam or assessment mentioned. Source
“If you have a Certificate of Qualification from another Canadian province or territory, complete an application form.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons/cq
Complete application form
Source
“If you have a Certificate of Qualification from another Canadian province or territory, complete an application form.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons/cqReceive equivalency letter
Source
“The Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division will verify your information and provide an equivalency letter if you require one for your employer or a regulatory body.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons/cq
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division
Exams
-
certification exam
Source
“Once you pass the certification exam, you will receive a Certificate of Qualification.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers -
practical exam
Source
“for some trades (Cook, Welder, Hairstylist and Machinist), you will need to pass a practical exam before you can attempt the written one.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $20.00 | $30.00 | $39.00 | Undetermined |
| Canada | $21.00 | $30.00 | $41.50 | — |
Wages by region and job outlook in Newfoundland and Labrador
Machinists in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Alberta Voluntary certification
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Voluntary certification
- Ontario Voluntary certification
- Quebec Voluntary certification
- New Brunswick Voluntary certification
- Nova Scotia Voluntary certification
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Yukon Voluntary certification
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Sources checked
- List of Designated Trades - Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division gov.nl.ca/atcd/designated-trades/list-of-designated-trades · fetched October 9, 2026
- Machinist Trade Profile - Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division gov.nl.ca/atcd/designated-trades/trade-profiles/machinist-trade-pro... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Certificate of Qualification - Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons/cq · fetched October 10, 2026
- International Skilled Workers - Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/international-for... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Trade Qualifiers - Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a machinist in Newfoundland and Labrador?
No. Certification is available, but it is not required to work in the trade in Newfoundland and Labrador. Certification is managed by the Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division.
Which exams are required?
certification exam, practical exam.
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