How to Become a Tower Crane Operator in Ontario
Do you need certification?
Certification required
Tower crane operator is a compulsory trade in Ontario. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.
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Show the 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.”
From skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/hoisting-engineer-tower-c..., checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Certification required See the source
- Routes
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- 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
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The applicant finds a sponsor to begin an apprenticeship in the trade.
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The applicant applies for an apprenticeship program in Ontario.
Source
“Apply for an apprenticeship program in Ontario.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices -
The apprentice completes the required on-the-job work experience hours set out in the training standard.
Source
“the hours of apprenticeship training for the trade Hoisting Engineer – Tower Crane Operator at 3,000 (approximately one and a half years), which consists of 2,640 hours on the job work experience and 360 hours of in-school training.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/hoisting-engineer-tower-c... -
The apprentice completes three levels of theoretical in-school training.
Source
“A Hoisting Engineer — Tower Crane Operator apprenticeship includes three levels of theoretical training”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/hoisting-engineer-tower-c... -
Upon completing the apprenticeship program, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship.
Source
“Upon completion of an apprenticeship program, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/hoisting-engineer-tower-c... -
The applicant passes the certifying exam to obtain a Certificate of Qualification.
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/hoisting-engineer-tower-c...
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
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The applicant finds a sponsor in Ontario.
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The applicant applies for an apprenticeship program in Ontario, checking off the section of the form indicating training completed in another province.
Source
“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 -
Skilled Trades Ontario contacts the applicant to verify their out-of-province training after the application is submitted.
Source
“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.
Trained outside Canada
No separate route for this group. Source
“Experienced workers who have not completed an Ontario apprenticeship but have equivalent qualifications or experience in their trade can use the Trade Equivalency Assessment Process.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/hoisting-enginee...
Requirements
Education
The academic entry grade for the trade is Grade 10.
Source
“Academic entry grade Grade 10”
skilledtradesontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/hoisting-enginee...
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?
Extra steps
A registered apprentice from another province or territory may get credit for their training in Ontario but must find a sponsor, apply for an Ontario apprenticeship and have their out-of-province training verified. Source
“If you’re a registered apprentice in another province or territory, you may get credit for your training in Ontario.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices
Find a sponsor in Ontario
Apply for an apprenticeship
Source
“Apply for an apprenticeship program in Ontario.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprenticesVerification of prior training
Source
“Skilled Trades Ontario will contact you to verify your out-of-province training after you have submitted your application.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices
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/hoisting-engineer-tower-c... -
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
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $24.50 | $40.48 | $53.94 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $26.50 | $42.77 | $52.19 | — |
Tower crane operators in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Alberta Certification required
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Certification required
- Quebec Certification required
- New Brunswick Voluntary certification
- Nova Scotia Certification required
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Certification required
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Hoisting Engineer — Tower Crane Operator - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/hoisting-engineer-tower-c... · fetched October 11, 2026
- Current apprentices - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices · fetched October 10, 2026
- Hoisting Engineer - Tower Crane Operator (339B) skilledtradesontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/hoisting-enginee... · fetched October 11, 2026
- 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 tower crane operator 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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