How to Become an Auto Body and Collision Technician in Ontario
Do you need certification?
Certification required
Auto body and collision technician is a compulsory trade in Ontario. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.
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“Because this trade is compulsory, to practice this trade legally in Ontario a person must hold a Registered Training Agreement, Provisional Certificate of Qualification or Certificate of Qualification and their information must appear on the Skilled Trades Ontario Public Register.”
From skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/auto-body-and-collision-d..., checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Certification required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 6 steps
- Licensed in another province: 3 steps
- Trained outside Canada: no separate route
- 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 6 done
- 6 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 8,000 months (only 2 of 6 steps state a time)
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The apprenticeship program begins when you sign a Training Agreement with a sponsor and register it with Skilled Trades Ontario.
Source
“An apprenticeship program begins when you sign a Training Agreement with a sponsor and register it with Skilled Trades Ontario.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/starting-your-apprenticeship -
You download the Apprenticeship Training Standard Logbook, which lists the skills and tasks your sponsor signs off on as you demonstrate proficiency.
Source
“An Apprenticeship Training Standard Logbook or Schedule of Training outlines all the skills and tasks you need to master during your apprenticeship. Your sponsor or trainer will sign off on each skill once you demonstrate proficiency.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/starting-your-apprenticeship -
You complete 7,280 hours of on-the-job work experience, with your sponsor or trainer signing the relevant sections of the training standard as you develop the required skills.
Time: 7,280 monthsTime source
“Generally, the time-frame to become competent in the trade of Auto Body and Collision Damage Repairer is 8,000 hours (approximately four years) consisting of 7,280 hours of on-the-job work experience and 720 hours of in-school training.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/auto-body-and-collision-d...Source
“Generally, the time-frame to become competent in the trade of Auto Body and Collision Damage Repairer is 8,000 hours (approximately four years) consisting of 7,280 hours of on-the-job work experience and 720 hours of in-school training.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/auto-body-and-collision-d... -
Time: 720 months
Time source
“Technical training 720 hours (6 months across 3 levels)”
skilledtradesontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/auto-body-and-co...Source
“An Auto Body and Collision Damage Repairer apprenticeship includes three levels of theoretical training, which includes but is not limited to instruction in:”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/auto-body-and-collision-d... -
Upon completion of the apprenticeship program, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship.
Source
“This trade has an apprenticeship program that is administered by Skilled Trades Ontario. Upon completion of an apprenticeship program, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/auto-body-and-collision-d... -
You pass the certifying exam, after which Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Qualification in the trade.
Source
“This trade has a certifying exam. Upon passing the certifying exam, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Qualification in this trade.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/auto-body-and-collision-d...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
6 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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You find a sponsor in Ontario as the first step to registering.
Source
“#### Steps to register in Ontario 1. Find a sponsor in Ontario.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices -
You apply for an apprenticeship program in Ontario and check off the section of the form indicating you have completed training in another province.
Source
“Apply for an apprenticeship program in Ontario. - 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 -
After you submit your application, Skilled Trades Ontario contacts you to verify your out-of-province training.
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.
Trained outside Canada
No separate route for this group. Source
“Experienced workers who have not completed an Ontario apprenticeship but have equivalent qualifications or experience in their trade can use the Trade Equivalency Assessment Process.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/auto-body-and-co...
Requirements
Education
The academic entry grade for the trade is Grade 12.
Source
“Academic entry grade Grade 12”
skilledtradesontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/auto-body-and-co...
Already licensed in another province?
Extra steps
A registered apprentice from another province or territory may get credit for their training in Ontario, but must find a sponsor, apply for an apprenticeship, and have Skilled Trades Ontario verify their out-of-province training. 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
Find a sponsor in Ontario
Source
“#### Steps to register in Ontario 1. Find a sponsor in Ontario.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprenticesApply for an apprenticeship
Source
“Apply for an apprenticeship program in Ontario. - 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-apprenticesVerification of prior training
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
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
-
certifying exam
Source
“This trade has a certifying exam. Upon passing the certifying exam, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Qualification in this trade.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/auto-body-and-collision-d... -
in-school exemption test
Source
“If the apprentice has successfully completed an in-school exemption test, the apprentice must submit a copy of their results letter to be eligible for an exemption from the corresponding level of in-school training.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices
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
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $18.00 | $29.00 | $43.27 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $18.50 | $27.00 | $40.00 | — |
Auto bodies and collision technicians in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Alberta Certification required
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Voluntary certification
- Quebec Not confirmed yet
- New Brunswick Voluntary certification
- Nova Scotia Certification required
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Voluntary certification
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Compare auto body and collision technician licensing across Canada
Sources checked
- Auto Body and Collision Damage Repairer - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/auto-body-and-collision-d... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Start an apprenticeship - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/starting-your-apprenticeship · fetched October 10, 2026
- Auto Body and Collision Damage Repairer (310B) skilledtradesontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/auto-body-and-co... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Current apprentices - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as an auto body and collision technician in Ontario?
Yes. Certification, or registration as an apprentice, is required to work in the trade in Ontario. Certification is managed by Skilled Trades Ontario.
Which exams are required?
certifying exam, in-school exemption test.
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