How to Become an Assistant Cook in Ontario
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Assistant cook is a voluntary trade in Ontario. You can work in the trade without a certificate.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“As this trade is non-compulsory, the information of individuals practicing this trade will not appear on the Skilled Trades Ontario Public Register.”
From skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/assistant-cook, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
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- Trained in Canada: 3 steps
- Licensed in another province: 3 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
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The apprentice completes 2,640 hours of practical work experience on the job, with the sponsor or trainer signing off on the skills in the training standard.
Source
“Generally, the time-frame to become competent in the trade of Assistant Cook is 3,000 hours (approximately one and a half years) consisting of 2,640 hours of on-the-job work experience and 360 hours of in-school training.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/assistant-cook -
Source
“An Assistant Cook apprenticeship includes one level of theoretical training, which includes but is not limited to instruction in: applied safety procedures”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/assistant-cook -
Upon completion of the apprenticeship program, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship, the highest level of certification for the trade.
Source
“Upon completion of an apprenticeship program, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship. This is the highest level of certification available for the trade.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/assistant-cook
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
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The apprentice finds a sponsor in Ontario.
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The apprentice applies for an apprenticeship program in Ontario, checking off the section of the form indicating training completed in another province.
Source
“On your application you will need to check off the section of the form that you have completed training in another province.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices -
Skilled Trades Ontario contacts the applicant to verify their out-of-province training after the application is submitted.
Source
“Skilled Trades Ontario will contact you to verify your out-of-province training after you have submitted your application.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Requirements
Experience
Becoming competent in the trade generally requires 3,000 hours, consisting of 2,640 hours of on-the-job work experience and 360 hours of in-school training.
Source
“Generally, the time-frame to become competent in the trade of Assistant Cook is 3,000 hours (approximately one and a half years) consisting of 2,640 hours of on-the-job work experience and 360 hours of in-school training.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/assistant-cook
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages describe credit for out-of-province apprenticeship training but do not state how a person already licensed in another province registers as an assistant cook in Ontario. Source
“If you’re a registered apprentice in another province or territory, you may get credit for your training in Ontario.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
Exams
Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
Demand and pay
No Job Bank wage or outlook data for this occupation yet.
Assistant cooks in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Not confirmed yet
- Alberta Not confirmed yet
- Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
- Manitoba Not confirmed yet
- Quebec Not confirmed yet
- New Brunswick 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
Sources checked
- Assistant Cook - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/assistant-cook · fetched October 10, 2026
- Current apprentices - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
1
Do you need a licence to work as an assistant cook in Ontario?
No. Certification is available, but it is not required to work in the trade in Ontario. Certification is managed by Skilled Trades Ontario.
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