How to Become a Mobile Crane Operator in Ontario
Do you need certification?
Certification required
Mobile crane operator is a compulsory trade in Ontario. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“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/hoisting-engineer-mobile-..., 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: 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 6 done
- 6 steps without a listed fee
-
The applicant registers a Registered Training Agreement with Skilled Trades Ontario to begin the apprenticeship program.
Source
“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.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/hoisting-engineer-mobile-... -
The apprentice completes 5,520 hours of on-the-job work experience, with the sponsor or trainer signing off skills in the Apprenticeship Training Standard as they are demonstrated.
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 Hoisting Engineer- Mobile Crane Operator 1 at 6,000 (approximately three years), which consists of 5,520 hours on the job work experience and 480 hours of in-school training.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/hoisting-engineer-mobile-... -
Source
“A Hoisting Engineer — Mobile Crane Operator 1 apprenticeship includes four levels of theoretical training, which includes but is not limited to instruction in: workplace safety”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/hoisting-engineer-mobile-... -
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/hoisting-engineer-mobile-... -
The applicant passes the certifying exam for 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/hoisting-engineer-mobile-... -
After passing the certifying exam, Skilled Trades Ontario issues the Certificate of Qualification, which must be renewed each year to remain valid.
Source
“Upon passing the certifying exam, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Qualification in this trade.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/hoisting-engineer-mobile-...
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
-
The applicant reviews the Canadian Certificate Holder Guide and Form and follows the application instructions.
Source
“Review the Canadian Certificate Holder Guide and Form and follow the application instructions.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal -
The applicant submits the application using the PDF form by email or mail to Skilled Trades Ontario, since it is not available through the portal.
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 and can then use the portal to update information, pay fees or start other applications.
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 make sure they meet the skills and experience requirements.
Source
“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, because applying without all documents causes a delay.
Source
“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 follows the steps to submit it.
Source
“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 -
The Trade Equivalency Assessment determines whether the applicant can challenge the certifying exam for the trade.
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... -
If successful in the certifying exam, the applicant pays a fee to be issued a Certificate of Qualification in the trade.
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
Experience
The apprenticeship for this trade is set at 6,000 hours, consisting of 5,520 hours of on-the-job work experience and 480 hours of in-school training.
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 Hoisting Engineer- Mobile Crane Operator 1 at 6,000 (approximately three years), which consists of 5,520 hours on the job work experience and 480 hours of in-school training.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/hoisting-engineer-mobile-...
Other
To practice this compulsory trade legally in Ontario, a person must hold a Registered Training Agreement, Provisional Certificate of Qualification or Certificate of Qualification and appear on the Public Register.
Source
“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.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/hoisting-engineer-mobile-...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.
Source
“Individuals who do not meet the prescribed Academic Entry Requirements (AERs) may be able to register as an apprentice through the Experienced Apprenticeship Pathway (EAP). 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.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/resource-hub/research/trade-reports/trade-r...Trade Qualifiers must have equivalent skills and years of experience in the trade and must not already be certified or have completed an Ontario apprenticeship.
Source
“Skilled Trades Ontario’s Trade Qualifier application process enables experienced tradespeople who are not already certified in a trade and have not completed an Ontario apprenticeship (i.e. Trade Qualifiers) to become eligible to attempt the certifying examination to obtain a Certificate of Qualification.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages describe a Canadian certificate holder application for holders of certificates from other provinces or territories, 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
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/hoisting-engineer-mobile-... -
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 -
Demonstration of Skills Testing (DOST)
Source
“Demonstration of Skills Testing (DOST) Process Guidelines Effective June 15, 2026”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/hoisting-engineer-mobile-...
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 | $24.50 | $40.48 | $53.94 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $26.50 | $42.77 | $52.19 | — |
Mobile crane operators in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Alberta Certification required
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Certification required
- Quebec Certification required
- New Brunswick Certification required
- Nova Scotia Certification required
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Certification required
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Sources checked
- Hoisting Engineer — Mobile Crane Operator 1 - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/hoisting-engineer-mobile-... · fetched October 11, 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
- 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 a mobile crane operator 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, Demonstration of Skills Testing (DOST).
Getting Licensed? Get Your Resume Ready Too
Nainly pairs expert resume assessment with a done-for-you career marketing campaign, so your profile keeps reaching decision-makers while you work through the licensing steps.
Schedule a CallFree consultation. No commitment.