How to Become a Painter and Decorator in Ontario
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Painter and decorator 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/painter-and-decorator-com..., checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 6 steps
- Licensed in another province: 3 steps
- Trained outside Canada: no separate route
- 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
-
You begin the apprenticeship 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 -
You download the Apprenticeship Training Standard Logbook, which lists the skills and tasks your sponsor signs off as you demonstrate them.
Source
“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 -
You complete 5,280 hours of on-the-job work experience as part of the 6,000-hour apprenticeship.
Source
“has set the hours of apprenticeship training for the trade Painter and Decorator- Commercial and Residential at 6,000 (approximately three years), which consists of 5,280 hours on the job work experience and 720 hours of in-school training.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/painter-and-decorator-com... -
Source
“A Painter and Decorator — Commercial and Residential apprenticeship includes three levels of theoretical training, which includes but is not limited to instruction in:”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/painter-and-decorator-com... -
When you officially complete the apprenticeship program, Skilled Trades Ontario issues you a Certificate of Apprenticeship.
Source
“Certificate of Apprenticeship – Issued by Skilled Trades Ontario when you officially complete your apprenticeship program.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/starting-your-apprenticeship -
You take the certifying exam, and when you pass it Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Qualification in 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/painter-and-decorator-com...
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
-
You review the Canadian Certificate Holder Guide and Form and follow its application instructions.
Source
“1. Review the Canadian Certificate Holder Guide and Form and follow the application instructions.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal -
Because the application is not available through the portal, you use the PDF application form and email or mail 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 your application is approved and you are issued a Certificate of Qualification, you can use the portal to update your information, pay fees or start other applications.
Source
“2. 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
No separate route for this group. 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
Requirements
Education
The academic entry grade for the apprenticeship is Grade 10.
Source
“Academic entry grade Grade 10”
skilledtradesontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/painter-and-deco...
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.
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.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/resource-hub/research/trade-reports/trade-r...
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
A holder of a certificate, licence or credential from another Canadian province or territory can apply using the Canadian Certificate Holder Guide and Form, and once the application is approved Skilled Trades Ontario issues an Ontario Certificate of Qualification without any additional exam or assessment being described. 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
Review the application guide
Source
“1. Review the Canadian Certificate Holder Guide and Form and follow the application instructions.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portalSubmit a PDF application
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
“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/painter-and-decorator-com... -
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
No minimum test score stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
Exemptions: The pages do not state any language test exemptions. Source
“A Painter and Decorator — Commercial and Residential applies decorative and protective finishes in residential, commercial, and institutional settings.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/painter-and-decorator-com...
Canadian experience
The pages do not state any Canadian experience requirement. Source
“A Painter and Decorator — Commercial and Residential applies decorative and protective finishes in residential, commercial, and institutional settings.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/painter-and-decorator-com...
Supervised practice
Not required
The pages do not state any supervised practice requirement. Source
“A Painter and Decorator — Commercial and Residential applies decorative and protective finishes in residential, commercial, and institutional settings.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/painter-and-decorator-com...
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $20.00 | $25.00 | $34.80 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $20.00 | $28.00 | $40.99 | — |
Painters and decorators 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
- Painter and Decorator — Commercial and Residential - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/painter-and-decorator-com... · fetched October 11, 2026
- Start an apprenticeship - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/starting-your-apprenticeship · fetched October 10, 2026
- Skilled Trades Ontario Portal - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal · fetched October 10, 2026
- Painter and Decorator - Commercial and Residential (404C) skilledtradesontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/painter-and-deco... · fetched October 11, 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 painter and decorator 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.
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.