How to Become a Carpenter in Ontario
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Carpenter 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
“Because this trade is non-compulsory, this certificate does not have to be renewed, and the information of individuals practicing this trade will not appear on the Skilled Trades Ontario Public Register.”
From skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/general-carpenter, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
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- Trained in Canada: 6 steps
- Licensed in another province: 3 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 4 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 6 done
- 6 steps without a listed fee
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The applicant finds a sponsor in Ontario to begin an apprenticeship.
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The applicant applies for an apprenticeship program in Ontario.
Source
“2. Apply for an apprenticeship program in Ontario.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices -
The apprentice completes the required on-the-job work experience hours with the sponsor signing off on skills in the training standard.
Source
“The Registrar of Skilled Trades Ontario, under the authority of section 14 of the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021, has set the hours of apprenticeship training for the trade General Carpenter at 7,200 (approximately four years), which consists of 6,480 hours on the job work experience and 720 hours of in-school training.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/general-carpenter -
The apprentice completes three levels of theoretical in-school training, which may be delivered in block release, day release, part-time or alternative formats.
Source
“A General Carpenter apprenticeship includes three levels of theoretical training, which includes but is not limited to instruction in:”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/general-carpenter -
The apprentice passes the certifying exam for the trade.
Source
“This trade has a certifying exam. When the certifying exam is passed, Skilled Trades Ontario will issue a Certificate of Qualification in this trade.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/general-carpenter -
Upon completion of the apprenticeship program, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship, and a Certificate of Qualification when the certifying exam is passed.
Source
“Upon completion of an apprenticeship program, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/general-carpenter
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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The apprentice finds a sponsor in Ontario.
Source
“#### Steps to register in Ontario 1. Find a sponsor in Ontario.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices -
The apprentice applies for an apprenticeship program in Ontario and checks off the section of the form indicating training completed in another province.
Source
“2. 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 -
Skilled Trades Ontario contacts the applicant to verify their out-of-province training after the application is submitted.
Source
“4. 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
0 of 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
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The applicant reviews the Trade Qualifier Guide to ensure they meet the skills and experience requirements.
Source
“1. Review the Trade Qualifier Guide carefully to ensure that you meet the skills and experience requirements.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal -
The applicant collects all supporting documentation before applying, since applying without them causes a delay.
Source
“2. Collect all supporting documentation before applying. If you apply without attaching all supporting documents, it will cause a delay and you will be required to submit the documents before the assessment can begin.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal -
The applicant creates a My Ontario account, selects Individual, creates a new application, selects Trade Equivalency Assessment and submits it.
Source
“3. Create a My Ontario account to access the Skilled Trades Ontario Portal. Then, when prompted, select Individual, create a New application and select Trade Equivalency Assessment and follow the steps to submit your application.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal -
If the Trade Equivalency Assessment determines the applicant can challenge the certifying exam, they take it, and if successful, pay a fee to be issued a Certificate of Qualification.
Source
“The Trade Equivalency Assessment determines whether you can challenge the certifying exam for a trade. If successful in the exam, you would pay a fee to be issued a Certificate of Qualification in that trade.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/resource-hub/research/trade-reports/trade-r...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Requirements
Experience
Trade Qualifier applicants must have equivalent skills and years of experience in the trade.
Source
“A Trade Equivalency Assessment is the first step for Trade Qualifiers who do not have a recognized trade qualification, but who have equivalent skills and years of experience in a trade.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal
Other
Apprentices who completed prior in-school training must submit an official transcript and/or diploma as proof of program completion to be eligible for an in-school exemption.
Source
“If an apprentice has completed prior in-school training via an accredited program approved by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD), (such as a pre-apprenticeship/diploma/degree/private career college program), the apprentice must submit a copy of their official transcript and/or diploma as proof of program completion to be eligible for an in-school exemption.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprenticesApplicants who do not meet the Academic Entry Requirements may register through the Experienced Apprenticeship Pathway if they are at least 21 years old or have not received formal education for at least three years, and must submit the EAP form.
Source
“To be considered for EAP, the applicant must: 1. be at least at least 21 years old, or 2. have not received formal education for a period of at least three years. Applicants seeking to register through the EAP must submit a completed Experienced Apprenticeship Pathway Form as part of their registration application.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/resource-hub/research/trade-reports/trade-r...
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages state that holders of a certificate, license or credential from another Canadian province or territory must use the PDF Canadian Certificate Holder application to obtain an Ontario Certificate of Qualification, but do not state whether they can register without retaking the entry-to-practice exam or a competence assessment. Source
“If you have a certificate, license or credential from another Canadian province or territory and would like to obtain an Ontario Certificate of Qualification, please note that the Canadian certificate holder application is currently not available through the Skilled Trades Ontario Portal.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal
Apply using PDF form
Source
“If you have a certificate, license or credential from another Canadian province or territory and would like to obtain an Ontario Certificate of Qualification, please note that the Canadian certificate holder application is currently not available through the Skilled Trades Ontario Portal. You must use the PDF application form and email or mail your application to Skilled Trades Ontario.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal
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
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certifying exam
Source
“This trade has a certifying exam. When the certifying exam is passed, Skilled Trades Ontario will issue a Certificate of Qualification in this trade.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/general-carpenter -
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 | $22.00 | $32.00 | $48.00 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $22.00 | $32.12 | $44.23 | — |
Carpenters in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Alberta Voluntary certification
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Voluntary certification
- Quebec Certification required
- New Brunswick Voluntary certification
- Nova Scotia Voluntary certification
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Voluntary certification
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Sources checked
- General Carpenter - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/general-carpenter · fetched October 11, 2026
- Current apprentices - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices · fetched October 10, 2026
- Skilled Trades Ontario Portal - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal · fetched October 10, 2026
- Trade reports FAQ - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/resource-hub/research/trade-reports/trade-r... · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a carpenter 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.
Which exams are required?
certifying exam, in-school exemption test.
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