How to Become a Residential (low Rise) Sheet Metal Installer in Ontario
Do you need certification?
Certification required
Residential (low rise) sheet metal installer is a compulsory trade in Ontario. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.
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“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/residential-low-rise-shee..., checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Certification required See the source
- Routes
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- Trained in Canada: 5 steps
- Licensed in another province: 3 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 begins an apprenticeship training program in the trade, which combines on-the-job and in-school training.
Source
“An apprenticeship training program consists of on-the-job and in-school training.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/residential-low-rise-shee... -
The apprentice completes the on-the-job work experience hours, with the sponsor or trainer signing off the 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 Residential (Low Rise) Sheet Metal Installer at 4,500 (approximately two and a half years), which consists of 4,140 hours on the job work experience and 360 hours of in-school training.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/residential-low-rise-shee... -
The apprentice completes two levels of theoretical in-school training covering topics such as trade skills, tools, codes, duct installation and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment.
Source
“A Residential (Low Rise) Sheet Metal Installer apprenticeship includes two levels of theoretical training, which includes but is not limited to instruction in:”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/residential-low-rise-shee... -
Upon completing the apprenticeship program, Skilled Trades Ontario issues the apprentice a Certificate of Apprenticeship.
Source
“Upon completion of an apprenticeship program, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/residential-low-rise-shee... -
The applicant passes the certifying exam, after which Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Qualification in 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/residential-low-rise-shee...
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 finds a sponsor in Ontario.
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The applicant applies for an apprenticeship program in Ontario and checks off the section of the form indicating 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 -
After the application is submitted, Skilled Trades Ontario contacts the applicant to verify their out-of-province training.
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.
Requirements
Other
To practise this compulsory trade legally in Ontario, a person must hold a Registered Training Agreement, a Provisional Certificate of Qualification or a Certificate of Qualification and their information must appear on the Skilled Trades Ontario 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/residential-low-rise-shee...A Certificate of Qualification issued in this trade must be renewed to remain valid.
Source
“A Certificate of Qualification issued in this trade must be renewed to be valid.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/residential-low-rise-shee...
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages say that holders of a certificate, licence or credential from another Canadian province or territory must apply using the Canadian Certificate Holder Guide and Form by email or mail, but they do not state whether the entry-to-practice exam or a competence assessment is required. 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. You must use the PDF application form and email or mail your application to Skilled Trades Ontario.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal
Apply using the PDF form
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. 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
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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/residential-low-rise-shee... -
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
No Job Bank wage or outlook data for this occupation yet.
Residentials (low rise) sheet metal installer in other provinces and territories
- 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 residential (low rise) sheet metal installer licensing across Canada
Sources checked
- Residential (Low Rise) Sheet Metal Installer - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/residential-low-rise-shee... · fetched October 11, 2026
- Current apprentices - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices · 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 residential (low rise) sheet metal installer 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.
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