How to Become a Cook in Ontario
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
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
“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/cook, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
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- Trained in Canada: 5 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 5 done
- 5 steps without a listed fee
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The applicant finds a sponsor in Ontario.
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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 practical training on the job, with the sponsor signing off on the skills in the training standard.
Source
“An apprenticeship involves practical training provided on-the-job by a skilled worker, or trainer. The skills or competencies to be developed are set out by the trade’s apprenticeship training standard and are recognized by the industry as being essential to the practice of the trade.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/cook -
The apprentice completes two levels of theoretical in-school training.
Source
“A Cook apprenticeship includes two levels of theoretical training, which includes but is not limited to instruction in:”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/cook -
The apprentice passes the certifying exam to receive a Certificate of Qualification.
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/cook
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
5 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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An apprentice registered in another province who is moving to Ontario finds a sponsor in Ontario.
Source
“If you’re a registered apprentice in another province or territory, you may get credit for your training in Ontario. #### Steps to register in Ontario 1. Find a sponsor in Ontario.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices -
The applicant applies for an apprenticeship program in Ontario and indicates on the form that they have completed training 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 make sure 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 gathers all supporting documentation before applying, since missing documents will delay the assessment.
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 and submits a Trade Equivalency Assessment application through the Skilled Trades Ontario Portal.
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
Education
The academic entry grade for the Cook apprenticeship is Grade 12.
Source
“Academic entry grade Grade 12”
skilledtradesontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/cook-415A_2025_e...
Other
Applicants 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 a completed Experienced Apprenticeship Pathway 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?
Direct transfer
Someone with an authorizing certificate from another Canadian province or territory can apply to have their credential verified, and no further training or examination is required. Source
“If you have an authorizing certificate from another Canadian province or territory you can apply to have your credential verified and no further training or examination will be required.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/experienced-workers
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/cook -
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 | $17.60 | $18.00 | $24.00 | Limited (2 of 5) |
| Canada | $15.00 | $18.00 | $25.00 | — |
Cooks in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Alberta Voluntary certification
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Voluntary certification
- Quebec Voluntary certification
- 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
- Cook - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/cook · fetched October 10, 2026
- Current apprentices - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices · fetched October 10, 2026
- Experienced workers - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/experienced-workers · 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
- Cook (415A) skilledtradesontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/cook-415A_2025_e... · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a 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.
Which exams are required?
certifying exam, in-school exemption test.
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