How to Become a Locksmith in Ontario
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Locksmith 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
“Locksmith 259L Non-compulsory”
From skilledtradesontario.ca/about-trades/trades-information/page/6, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 5 steps
- Licensed in another province: 3 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 5 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
-
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 registered apprentice alternates between on-the-job and in-school training.
Source
“As a registered apprentice you’ll switch between on-the-job and in-school training.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices -
The applicant successfully passes the required examination for the trade.
Source
“A Certificate of Qualification is a document issued to an individual who has successfully passed the required examination for the trade and paid any applicable fees.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/resource-hub/research/trade-reports/trade-r... -
After passing the exam and paying applicable fees, the applicant is issued a Certificate of Qualification.
Source
“A Certificate of Qualification is a document issued to an individual who has successfully passed the required examination for the trade and paid any applicable fees.”
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
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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The applicant reviews the Canadian Certificate Holder Guide and Form and follows the application instructions.
Source
“1. Review the Canadian Certificate Holder Guide and Form and follow the application instructions.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal -
The applicant completes the PDF application form and emails or mails it to Skilled Trades Ontario.
Source
“You must use the PDF application form and email or mail your application to Skilled Trades Ontario.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal -
Once the application is approved, the applicant is issued a Certificate of Qualification.
Source
“Once your application is approved and you are issued a Certificate of Qualification, you may then use the Skilled Trades Ontario Portal to update your information, pay fees or initiate other applications.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal
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 5 done
- 5 steps without a listed fee
-
The applicant reviews the Trade Qualifier Guide carefully 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 gathers all supporting documents before applying, since missing documents 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, selects Individual, creates a new application, chooses 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 must be successful.
Source
“The Trade Equivalency Assessment determines whether you can challenge the certifying exam for a trade.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/resource-hub/research/trade-reports/trade-r... -
After passing the exam, the applicant pays a fee to be issued a Certificate of Qualification.
Source
“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
5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Requirements
Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
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
Review application guide
Source
“1. Review the Canadian Certificate Holder Guide and Form and follow the application instructions.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portalSubmit application by email or mail
Source
“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
-
certifying exam
Source
“The Trade Equivalency Assessment determines whether you can challenge the certifying exam for a trade.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/resource-hub/research/trade-reports/trade-r...
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 | $21.00 | $30.00 | $42.79 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $21.63 | $34.72 | $47.85 | — |
Locksmiths in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Alberta Certification required
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Not confirmed yet
- Quebec Certification required
- New Brunswick Voluntary certification
- Nova Scotia Voluntary certification
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Sources checked
- Trades information - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/about-trades/trades-information/page/6 · fetched October 10, 2026
- Current apprentices - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices · fetched October 10, 2026
- Trade reports FAQ - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/resource-hub/research/trade-reports/trade-r... · 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
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a locksmith 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.
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