Licensing guide · Ontario

How to Become a Motive Power Machinist in Ontario

Last checked 5 sources checked

Do you need certification?

Certification is voluntary

Motive power machinist 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/motive-power-machinist, checked October 11, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Voluntary certification See the source
Routes
Annual fees
Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades Ontario

Your roadmap

Every route is listed. Follow the one that matches where you trained.

Trained in Canada

  • 4 steps without a listed fee

  1. You begin the apprenticeship program by signing a Training Agreement with a sponsor and registering 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

  2. You download the Apprenticeship Training Standard Logbook, which lists the skills and tasks you must master and that your sponsor signs off as you demonstrate proficiency.

    Source
    “Download your Apprenticeship Training Standard Logbook 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

  3. You complete the apprenticeship program, after which 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/motive-power-machinist

  4. You take and pass the certifying exam, and when it is passed Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Qualification in this 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/motive-power-machinist

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.

Official page for this route

Licensed in another province

  • 3 steps without a listed fee

  1. You review the Canadian Certificate Holder Guide and Form and follow the application instructions in it.

    Source
    “Review the Canadian Certificate Holder Guide and Form and follow the application instructions.”
    skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal

  2. Because the Canadian certificate holder application is not available through the portal, you must use the PDF application form and email or mail your application 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

  3. Once your application is approved and you are issued a Certificate of Qualification, you may use the Skilled Trades Ontario Portal to update your information, pay fees or initiate 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.

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

  • 4 steps without a listed fee

No separate route for this group.

Source
“Skilled Trades Ontario’s Trade Equivalency Assessment is the first step towards obtaining a Certificate of Qualification for experienced workers who have not completed an Ontario apprenticeship but who have equivalent skills and experience.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/resource-hub/research/trade-reports/trade-r...

Official page for this route

Requirements

Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades Ontario

Already licensed in another province?

Not stated

The pages say that holders of a certificate, licence or credential from another Canadian province or territory can apply for an Ontario Certificate of Qualification through a Canadian certificate holder application, but they do not state whether the entry-to-practice exam or a competence assessment is waived.

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

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades Ontario

Exams

Language tests

Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades Ontario

Compare scores across provinces and professions

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

No Job Bank wage or outlook data for this occupation yet.

Motive power machinists in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 0 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

  • British Columbia Not confirmed yet
  • Alberta Not confirmed yet
  • Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
  • Manitoba Not confirmed yet
  • Quebec Not confirmed yet
  • New Brunswick Not confirmed yet
  • Nova Scotia Not confirmed yet
  • Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
  • Yukon Not confirmed yet
  • Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
  • Nunavut Not confirmed yet

Compare motive power machinist licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 11, 2026.

  1. Motive Power Machinist - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/motive-power-machinist · fetched October 11, 2026
  2. Start an apprenticeship - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/starting-your-apprenticeship · fetched October 10, 2026
  3. Skilled Trades Ontario Portal - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal · fetched October 10, 2026
  4. Trade reports FAQ - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/resource-hub/research/trade-reports/trade-r... · fetched October 10, 2026
  5. 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 motive power machinist 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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