Licensing guide · Alberta

How to Become an Auto Body and Collision Technician in Alberta

Last checked 5 sources checkedNOC 72411

Do you need certification?

Certification required

Auto body and collision technician is a compulsory trade in Alberta. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.

Protected titles
Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Under Alberta’s Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act [pdf], you must have a certificate that is recognized by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training or be a registered apprentice to repair or replace or refinish damaged motor vehicle structures or body parts, or interior or exterior finishes.”

From alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/auto-body-technician, checked October 11, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Certification required See the source
Routes
Annual fees
Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

Your roadmap

Every route is listed. Follow the one that matches where you trained.

Trained in Canada

  • 6 steps without a listed fee

  1. Apprentices must find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train them.

    Source
    “Apprentices must find suitable employers who are willing to hire and train apprentices.”
    alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/auto-body-technician

  2. You apply to become a registered apprentice once you confirm you meet the registration eligibility requirements.

    Source
    “Before you apply to become a registered apprentice, make sure you are eligible.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit...

  3. Before enrolling in your first period of classroom instruction you must meet the entrance requirements, which include specific high school courses or alternatives such as an entrance exam.

    Source
    “You can register as an apprentice before you meet the entrance requirements. - You must meet them before you enroll in your first period [classroom instruction]”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit...

  4. Each year of the apprenticeship usually includes a minimum number of hours of on-the-job training plus weeks of classroom instruction.

    Source
    “Each year usually includes a minimum number of hours of on-the-job training (1,590 to 1,800 hours) and includes 4 to 7 weeks of classroom instruction.”
    alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/auto-body-technician

  5. A theory exam is required to complete each period of the apprenticeship program.

    Source
    “Theory exam required to complete each period”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0104

  6. In the final period you may take the Red Seal exam as an option.

    Source
    “Red Seal exam option in final period”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0104

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

6 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Licensed in another province

  • Listed one-time fees: $186
  • 1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total
  • 3 steps without a listed fee
  • Listed time: 18.9 to 19.4 months (only 2 of 5 steps state a time)

  1. You submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.

    Source
    “1. Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0104

  2. You begin your application online, upload a clear copy of your trade certificate, and pay the non-refundable application fee.

    Source
    “Begin your application by clicking Apply Now [here]”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/become-certified/trades-qualifier-programs/...
  3. Time: 4 to 6 weeks
    Time source
    “Processing time is approximately 4 to 6 weeks.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/become-certified/trades-qualifier-programs/...
    Source
    “We review your application and verify your trade certificate with the issuing jurisdiction.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/become-certified/trades-qualifier-programs/...

  4. You pass two practical exams, Exam A and Exam B.

    Source
    “3. Pass two practical exams: - $78.00 (Exam A) and - $108.00 (Exam B)”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0104

  5. If you complete all program requirements within 18 months, your journeyperson certificate and wallet card are mailed to you.

    Time: 18 months
    Time source
    “If you complete all Trades Qualifier – Recognized Credential program requirements within 18 months, your journeyperson certificate and wallet card is mailed to you.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/become-certified/trades-qualifier-programs/...
    Source
    “If you complete all Trades Qualifier – Recognized Credential program requirements within 18 months, your journeyperson certificate and wallet card is mailed to you.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/become-certified/trades-qualifier-programs/...

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $186

One-time fees listed for Licensed in another province, by type
Fee typeAmountShare
Exams $186 100%
One-time total $186 100%

1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total.

3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

  • Listed one-time fees: $186
  • 1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total
  • 3 steps without a listed fee
  • Listed time: 18.9 to 19.4 months (only 2 of 5 steps state a time)

  1. You submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.

    Source
    “1. Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0104

  2. You begin your application online using an Alberta.ca Account and Alberta Student Number, upload a clear copy of your trade certificate (translated into English if needed), and pay the non-refundable application fee.

    Source
    “You will need a basic Alberta.ca Account and an Alberta Student Number to begin your application.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/become-certified/trades-qualifier-programs/...

  3. The regulator reviews your application and verifies your trade certificate with the issuing jurisdiction, which takes about 4 to 6 weeks, and may take longer if the credential is from outside Canada.

    Time: 4 to 6 weeks
    Time source
    “Processing time is approximately 4 to 6 weeks.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/become-certified/trades-qualifier-programs/...
    Source
    “Processing time is approximately 4 to 6 weeks. - If your recognized credential is from outside Canada, it may take longer.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/become-certified/trades-qualifier-programs/...

  4. You pass two practical exams, Exam A and Exam B.

    Source
    “3. Pass two practical exams: - $78.00 (Exam A) and - $108.00 (Exam B)”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0104

  5. If you complete all program requirements within 18 months, your journeyperson certificate and wallet card are mailed to you.

    Time: 18 months
    Time source
    “If you complete all Trades Qualifier – Recognized Credential program requirements within 18 months, your journeyperson certificate and wallet card is mailed to you.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/become-certified/trades-qualifier-programs/...
    Source
    “If you complete all Trades Qualifier – Recognized Credential program requirements within 18 months, your journeyperson certificate and wallet card is mailed to you.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/become-certified/trades-qualifier-programs/...

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $186

One-time fees listed for Trained outside Canada, by type
Fee typeAmountShare
Exams $186 100%
One-time total $186 100%

1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total.

3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Other listed fees

The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Education

  • Entrance requirements for classroom instruction include specific high school courses that you must have passed, or alternatives such as an entrance exam, a GED or CAEC certificate, a recognized training program, or a recognized trade certificate.

    Source
    “Entrance requirements include specific high school courses that you must have passed.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit...

Already licensed in another province?

Extra steps

Auto body technicians from other provinces can work in Alberta if they hold a recognized certificate, but through the Recognized Credentials Program they must submit their certificate and pass a theory exam and two practical exams.

Source
“1. Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta. 2. Pass a theory exam. 3. Pass two practical exams:”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0104

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

Exams

Language tests

Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

Supervised practice

Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

Demand and pay

Job Bank figures for NOC 72411, Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators. Wages for 2023-2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in Alberta and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
Alberta $17.00 $28.75 $36.00 Moderate (3 of 5)
Canada $18.50 $27.00 $40.00 —

Wages by region and job outlook in Alberta

Wages in every province and territory

Auto bodies and collision technicians in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 11 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

Compare auto body and collision technician licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 11, 2026.

  1. Auto Body Technician: Certifications in Alberta - alis alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/auto-body-technician · fetched October 8, 2026
  2. Tradesecrets - Auto Body Technician tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0104 · fetched October 10, 2026
  3. Tradesecrets - Meet Requirements tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit... · fetched October 9, 2026
  4. Tradesecrets - Trades Qualifier- Recognized Credential Program Details tradesecrets.alberta.ca/become-certified/trades-qualifier-programs/... · fetched October 9, 2026
  5. Tradesecrets - Trades with Practical Exams and Fees tradesecrets.alberta.ca/become-certified/trades-qualifier-programs/... · fetched October 9, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as an auto body and collision technician in Alberta?

Yes. Certification, or registration as an apprentice, is required to work in the trade in Alberta. Certification is managed by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

Which exams are required?

Theory exam, Red Seal exam, Entrance exam.

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