How to Become a Small Engine or Equipment Mechanic in Ontario
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Small engine or equipment mechanic 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/small-engine-technician, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 4 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 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 164.5 months (only 1 of 4 steps state a time)
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Complete an apprenticeship program combining on-the-job work experience and in-school training in the trade.
Time: 5,000 daysTime source
“Generally, the time-frame to become competent in the trade of Small Engine Technician is 5,000 hours (approximately two and a half years) consisting of 4,520 hours of on-the-job work experience and 480 hours of in-school training.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/small-engine-technicianSource
“An apprenticeship training program consists of on-the-job and in-school training. Generally, the time-frame to become competent in the trade of Small Engine Technician is 5,000 hours (approximately two and a half years) consisting of 4,520 hours of on-the-job work experience and 480 hours of in-school training.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/small-engine-technician -
After finishing 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/small-engine-technician -
Pass the certifying exam for 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/small-engine-technician -
Once the certifying exam is passed, 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/small-engine-technician
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.
Licensed in another province
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
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Review the Canadian Certificate Holder Guide and Form and follow the application instructions.
Source
“1. Review the Canadian Certificate Holder Guide and Form and follow the application instructions.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal -
Complete the PDF application form and email or mail it to Skilled Trades Ontario, since this application 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, you are 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
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Review the Trade Qualifier Guide carefully to make sure you 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 -
Gather all supporting documents before applying, because applying without them will 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 -
Create a My Ontario account, select Individual, create a new application, choose Trade Equivalency Assessment, and follow the steps to submit 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 -
The Trade Equivalency Assessment determines whether you 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 you pass the exam, you pay a fee and are 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
Trade Qualifier applicants must have equivalent skills and years of experience in the trade.
Source
“A Trade Equivalency Assessment is the first step for Trade Qualifiers who do not have a recognized trade qualification, but who have equivalent skills and years of experience in a trade.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal
Other
To obtain a Certificate of Qualification, individuals must have passed their certification exam and met all requirements to practice their trade in Ontario.
Source
“To obtain a Certificate of Qualification, individuals are required to have passed their certification exam and have met all requirements to practice their trade in Ontario.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-to-launch-certificat...
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages say certificate holders from another Canadian province or territory can apply for an Ontario Certificate of Qualification using a PDF application form, 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
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/small-engine-technician
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 | $17.60 | $26.00 | $28.00 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $15.30 | $24.00 | $32.00 | — |
Small engines or equipment mechanics 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 Voluntary certification
- Nova Scotia Not confirmed yet
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Compare small engine or equipment mechanic licensing across Canada
Sources checked
- Small Engine Technician - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/small-engine-technician · 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
- Skilled Trades Ontario to Launch Certificates of Qualification, Wallet Cards for Skilled Trades Professionals - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-to-launch-certificat... · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a small engine or equipment mechanic 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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