Licensing guide · Ontario

How to Become a Tool/tooling Maker in Ontario

Last checked 4 sources checked

Do you need certification?

Certification is voluntary

Tool/tooling maker 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/tooltooling-maker, 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

  • 5 steps without a listed fee

  1. You apply for an apprenticeship program through the Skilled Trades Ontario Portal.

    Source
    “Apply for an apprenticeship program”
    skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal

  2. As a registered apprentice you alternate between on-the-job training and in-school training.

    Source
    “As a registered apprentice you’ll switch between on-the-job and in-school training.”
    skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices

  3. When you complete the apprenticeship program, Skilled Trades Ontario issues you a Certificate of Apprenticeship.

    Source
    “Upon completion of an apprenticeship program, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship.”
    skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/tooltooling-maker

  4. You 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/tooltooling-maker

  5. After passing the certifying exam, Skilled Trades Ontario issues you a Certificate of Qualification in this trade.

    Source
    “When the certifying exam is passed, Skilled Trades Ontario will issue a Certificate of Qualification in this trade.”
    skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/tooltooling-maker

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.

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 can use the Skilled Trades Ontario Portal to update your 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.

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

  • 5 steps without a listed fee

  1. You review the Trade Qualifier Guide carefully to make sure you 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

  2. You gather all supporting documentation before applying.

    Source
    “Collect all supporting documentation before applying.”
    skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal

  3. You create a My Ontario account, select Individual, create a new application, select Trade Equivalency Assessment and follow the steps to submit it.

    Source
    “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

  4. 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...

  5. If you are successful in the exam, you pay a fee to be issued a Certificate of Qualification in that 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.

Official page for this route

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Education

  • Applicants who do not meet the prescribed Academic Entry Requirements may be able to register as an apprentice through the Experienced Apprenticeship Pathway.

    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).”
    skilledtradesontario.ca/resource-hub/research/trade-reports/trade-r...

Experience

  • Trade Qualifiers must be experienced tradespeople who are not already certified in the trade and have not 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 page says holders of a certificate, licence or credential from another Canadian province or territory can apply for an Ontario Certificate of Qualification using the Canadian certificate holder application, but does 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.

Tools/tooling makers 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 tool/tooling maker licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 11, 2026.

  1. Tool/Tooling Maker - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/tooltooling-maker · fetched October 11, 2026
  2. Skilled Trades Ontario Portal - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal · fetched October 10, 2026
  3. Current apprentices - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices · fetched October 10, 2026
  4. Trade reports FAQ - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/resource-hub/research/trade-reports/trade-r... · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as a tool/tooling maker 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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